From Amber to Flame (Oct. 31, 2018)

 “On this rock, I will build my church…” The Bible reveals the heart and wisdom of God in simple and complex ways. Imagine being Moses and seeing the burning bush.While watching his father in law’s flock, he came to Horeb, the mountain of God. As Moses saw a bush burning without being consumed, his curiosity grew. While inspecting to see, if what he saw before his eyes was possible, God called him out from the bush. Here Moses has a sacred moment with God. The Lord proclaims who He is while inviting Moses to a deeper understanding and peace. As Moses realizes, his face becomes hidden. He didn’t hide his face in shame; it is in fear of the Lord. God graciously and lovingly called Moses by name. Have you ever heard God call your name? God said, “Moses, Moses!” and gave him instructions for how to come before the Lord. Through instructing God offers Moses the opportunity to learn. Never was Moses belittled, shunned, rebuked, or silenced.

Indeed, Moses was invited into a deep intimate space with the Lord. God opened his heart of compassion to answer the cries of His people, the Israelites. The Lord beckoned Moses deeper and shared His heart. Moses stood vulnerable, humbly bold, honest, and open before the Lord. He confessed his fear and lack of understanding. With such a posture of surrender, God filled him with a mission straight from the heart of God. Moses’s strength became alive in the reality that God was going with and sending him. God made it clear that the people will know it is God who is carrying out this mission. Moses arose in strength and taking a step of faith in the Lord God. Moses was not promised an easy or short journey. When invited deeper to hear and join the heart of God, the love of the Lord met him in his fears. When he admitted his fears before the Lord and asked questions, God answered and equipped him. God sent Moses out and went with and before him.

Moses hardly knew what would happen while watching a flock of sheep and coming upon Horeb. Our lives are similar in that; we never know what an ‘ordinary’ day can bring. With God, I believe there are no ordinary days. Some may be quieter than others, yet we meet people daily to journey with and pray for/with. I will try to keep this post-short-ish (if you want more information and details let me know). It is common knowledge that for a fire to continue burning it needs fuel and oxygen. Holy Spirit's fire burns similarly. God is the fuel and humankind (heart and mind) are the oxygen.I have had a wondrous experience this week that I wanted to share. It began as an amber within me. A small knowing that God was on the move. Everything I could have held onto was released earlier this year. I didn’t know what God was preparing me for but the time at least in part has come! In letting go and giving everything to God, I became free. Yes, this may sound a bit hippie-ish or rare to some :) however, God’s ordinary is just that! It is not odd to hear from God, to feel and know Holy Spirit closer and closer. It is sad that sometimes people see it as ‘crazy’ when this is what Jesus is all about. I have not arrived at some holiness mountain. This post is a raw, genuine truth of my current walk with the Lord. To let go of everything is very difficult. I promise in the letting go that God gives such freedom. Surrendering all gives you everything you will ever need! It is a journey, sometimes a continual one but it is worth it. Amber began to stir within me, I could not ignore that the Lord was up to something. God is moving, and now the fire of Holy Spirit within me is something I cannot deny.Life in God is the most amazing it has ever been. In part, because it is is the now of today, not something of the past. Something afresh and new. There is a peace beyond belief, and I know a few reasons why God has brought me here. It has nothing to do with me. I am here to see Africa, Christian Africans arise, to the Glory of God! People are being prepared for a gathering in December. Lives will be touched, empowerment community will form as an extension of the Church, and districts in the Africa South Field will be impressed by the heart and passions of the young adults. Please pray as the Lord prepares our hearts. We desire to welcome Holy Spirit without limitation, welcoming God to move and have His way whatever that means! God is on the move and hearts are being readied.

There are other areas the ambers are stirring in as well. I cannot wait to see how the Lord continues to work. Please pray as there are various people on journeys in pursuit for Peace and Hope this week. As Moses exposed, we don’t have to have all the answers or be the best equipped. God equips us, uses our knowledge yes, yet prepares our hearts as they become grafted to His. There are still simple daily struggles that seem not to shake me here, yet God is good. I am blessed to journey with community and people here and across the seas. I merely share to say that the Lord may not heal us (for me it is my eyes) in the way we would hope. God is about working in ways that bring Him Glory. Even with simple struggles, God moves to create and form what He has planned. God is at work shaping you as well. Take the time to pray in faithful expectation that God is speaking and present with you right where you are today! As Moses, may we be vulnerable, honest, and humbly bold before the Lord. God never leaves his work unfinished or fails us. Have you felt and known the fire of the Lord in your life in a while? If so, what is the amber or fire that you can surrender to in the Lord? I promise what we think is ‘good’ or ‘good enough’ is NOTHING compared to God’s making. Let go within and let the ambers turn into a holy fire that will free you!

Know that I am praying for you all. Sorry I am not sending out newsletters or posts as often these days. (Meaning I am giving my eyes a bit more rest) Please know that I am praying for you all.