Imagination and Faith

I am back in Sierra Leone. It was quick trip home and the days just flew by and suddenly it was time to get back on a plane and come back again. I have to admit that this time around it was much harder to say "see you soon" to everyone that I love and miss so much. Being home made me realize several things including that even though I am so busy here that I don't notice it, I'm lonely. I knew before I left that I was feeling that loneliness creep in but I didn't realize the extent until I was back in a place, surrounded by friends and family, where I could have long, deep, meaningful conversations with people who know and understand me. I realized how much I had taken for granted in having those special friendships and relationships and how much I need to cultivate those here, even if I am only here a short time. 2 years once seemed like a very short time, now it is starting to feel like forever! I also realized AGAIN, that God has called me to work with children…the vulnerable, the mistreated, the forgotten and abused…and it doesn't matter where they are or where I am, I can be Jesus to them. For right now, my work is with these precious orphans in Sierra Leone and coming back to them has renewed my desire to see them grow and flourish here.

Tonight was another step in the journey of my faith as God continues to confirm things in me. I went to the monthly international worship service and the speaker's words were just for me. She talked about faith and imagination. She used the words of Jesus in Luke 17:5-6 The apostles came up and said to the Master, "Give us more faith." But the Master said, "You don't need more faith. There is no 'more' or 'less' in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, 'Go jump in the lake,' and it would do it.

I was struck by the thought that it's not about how much faith we have…I always am asking for more…or how much you believe; it is about allowing God to work in us and open our imaginations. No one would think to ask God to move a tree; that takes imagination. Humans imagine ways to torture and hurt each other; God imagines a place where the lion lays down with the lamb. The world imagines that there is no hope in poverty; God imagines a world without poverty—and world where there is ALWAYS hope regardless of how much you have or don't have—a world where the amount of money or education or "success" you have does not matter; what matters is are you loved and known by God.

My prayers recently have often been similar to the disciples request…Give me more faith…but tonight I heard the Spirit speaking in me…you have enough faith, it's not about more or less. Now it's time to begin to imagine with God what it might look like to live and move and minister as if His will in heaven could truly be done on earth.

Tonight I'm back in Sierra Leone…with crappy internet access, cold showers, bugs, no electricity, rain, jetlag…have I complained enough yet?...and I know that what I need is not more faith, not more knowledge or wisdom or whatever else, it's just to rest in the Lord, knowing that he will reveal and equip and use me EVEN when I'm crabby!