Recently, I noticed one day this
past month a worn, discarded pair of athletic shoes thrown over the electrical
wires just outside our gate and over the road that bisects the orphanage and
the camp. I thought nothing of it, just something to do when an item is
no longer needed. I had seen it a thousand times growing up outside
Philadelphia (I was sure we invented this non-nonsensical, juvenile act of
rebellion) until yesterday when a local friend informed me of its cultural
meaning. It never occurred to me that it was a sign, signal to others for
a purpose.
"Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble
of its own." Matt
6:34
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Recently, my thoughts have inclined toward
preparing, saving enough money and sending Maggie off to college in 8 short
months. I'm not alone in this, (a friend recently shared the same concern
he had for his kids in that regard). Today's
concerns, blessings and challenges take up more than enough conscious thought
that 'worrying' about that which is out of our control makes no sense.
Should we plan ahead, absolutely! How many times have we understood our
current circumstances much clearer down the road through the prism of passing
time. But, the God of truth sees it all from 50,000 feet and we are just standing
in the road. One can see the curvature of the earth, the other as far as the
corner. He has prepared us to navigate our terrain, not HIS. Our choice
is worry or peace!
The Lord has brought workers to help
us to build both a physical and spiritual platform to share the gospel
here. In addition, he is closing some doors and opening others. He
has done it through people that neither asked, expected nor thought they could
be used. He has done it in ways that has challenged me to put my complete
faith in Him and not in others, their abilities or the action or inaction of
local leaders. I love a common prayer here: "Muestrame
tus sendas" (Teach me your paths). Please continue to pray for
specific needs that I believe follow that path: a local national Camp Director, expansion of the soccer league
to younger kids, addition of a hockey/youth night on campus, a job for a worker
leaving - Jesus, further development of other local national partners and
locations to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ!
"Stand firm then, with the belt
of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in
place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the
gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:14-15
Right now, we are thankful
to have the resources, workers and blessings of God through His people to
develop the camp. This is enough for today. There is no need for Him to
show me tomorrow. We do have the choice of how we walk. We can wear
those 'shoes' fitted for his purposes or our selfish,
self-satisfying ones. Scripture assures me that the power to walk is
found in the peace only He can bring.
Our busy lives can blind us to the obvious markers or signals that we are given. Sometimes, they sit directly
in front of or over/above us without even knowing their meaning.
Those abandoned shoes hanging on the power line outside our gate were a cultural signal to let others know that there are things worth stealing inside.
That may or may not be the reason the shoes were there. It could just kids being kids. I am thankful though for the friend who brought it to my attention and a little curious about the silence of others. Most of all, I'm grateful that all of life's answers aren't found just 'hanging' around, blowing in the wind or based on our desires but are found bound in the truth of His Word.
