Redeem, Restore, Renew. Three things that God does in our lives. The Lord redeems what was stolen, the restores what we lost, and he renews his promises. I have seen this play out in my own life more than once. I have seen the Lord redeem the things I have faced, restore to me whatever I had lost, and renew his promises over my life. One particular way I have seen this walked out is in Friendship.
Coming into the race, I had had a lot of experience with “toxic” friendships. Friendships that drained me instead of of filling me up. But as I prepare to end the race and go home, I look at just how many times the Lord has redeemed that part of my life, by not only giving me one or two good friends, but several! So many people whom I miss, and will miss, dearly scattered around the world.
The Lord has restored in me my desire to be friends with everyone, to go to every host, every team mate, and even lots of the kids, and become friends with them. To form a bond that will last for ages. He has shown me all the tools I have been equipped with to minster to the hearts of all nations. The Lord has given me a gift and a passion for making everyone feel seen, known, and loved. I cannot wait to see where he takes this.
Renew. The Lord has renewed his promises to give me a community over and over again. In Guatemala it was my team and my hosts, in South Africa it was my team, in Swaziland it was the clinic people, and in Indonesia it has been my hosts here. He also used someone who knew nothing about my situation in making friends at home, tell me that God was speaking over me that he will provide the community I need wherever I go.
So whether it’s my team providing a community to live in, or it’s the amazing friends I’ve made, God has been faithful about redeeming the friends that hurt me with friends who care so deeply.
Very wise. God created us to be in community but regretfully community can be hard to find. I’m glad you found yours!
Thanks Abeni! Such insight and wisdom! It’s a great reminder to me that community is always available, but it’s up to us to be a builder of positive community. Clearly you’ve seen this and done it on the race. Go forth and spread it….it’s called kingdom, and God wants us to seek it.