I've been on this kick lately where I keep looking up the definitions of words. Not because I don't know the word, but because I want to see if I can add to or sharpen the definition already in my head. To me, a greater understanding of a word is incredibly empowering.

Last week the word was commission. Click here to read my roommate's blog for more of the story. The word this week is marinate.

Since I don't own a dictionary, I decided once again that the Internet would give me the answer that I want. Merriam-Webster says that marinate means, “to steep in a marinade.” Cool. This is a very nondescript definition in my opinion. My next step was to check out Dictionary.com. Same answer. Hmmm…

I decided to look up the definition of steep. I picked my favorite definition: “to immerse in or saturate or imbue with some pervading, absorbing, or stupefying influence or agency.” This definition resonates with me. It's transformational even - if you let it marinate. Even Urban Dictionary says, “letting something soak in, leaving time for reflection.”

When the Lord is cultivating something in me, I tend to get excited easily and want to share and process this with my friends and/or family. I'm learning to let the thoughts, ideas and revelations from the Lord marinate in my spirit. God is taking me deeper into a quiet place with him. He's defining things in my heart and mind that Merriam-Webster can't begin to express.

What is God marinating in you? Go to that quiet place with Him. Don't miss the opportunity to let His presence saturate, pervade or even stupefy you.

I'm sitting here on my balcony at my apartment trying to work.  Let me set the scene for you.  Beautiful clear skies, 73 degrees, quiet (except for the breeze), a bottle of water beside me and my laptop so cleverly placed on top of my lap.  Perfect Friday afternoon.  I'm a little distracted, so I'm choosing to blog.  Yea, I know.  Blog.

I love the Fall.  It's like nature is gearing up for something big.  All the trees slim down by shedding their leaves.  The sun goes to bed a little earlier every night to get some extra rest.  It's indicative - at least to me - of how our lives are cyclical as well.  Nature knows that it needs to change; it knows that change is good; it knows that growth comes after rest.  But do you ever see a tree after shedding it's leaves, pack up it's bags (uh, limbs) and go plant itself where it's warmer?  How ridiculous would it be if trees could do that?  I bet that they all would if they could.  Most of the US would be bald plains or rolling hills and Florida would be so densely packed with trees that no one could live there!

Well in my crazy brain all this is a reminder to stay put even when life is not as exciting as you want it to be.  Maybe God is sharpening your character and you're too busy thinking about all the things that you'd rather be doing.

Fall is a reminder that change can happen without physically moving.  I think often times we feel as if change only means relocating or going on an exciting mission trip just one more time.

Fall is a great reminder that growth comes after rest.  One realization that has been happening for me over the last several months is how little I rest.  Yea, I sleep at night, but how much do I sit at the Lord's feet and rest?  What kind of tree grows if it never stops to rejuvenate?  Every tree needs that time in order to send down deeper roots and grow an ever slightly larger trunk and branches.

I'm not telling you not to want to do and experience exciting things in your life.  I'm not saying never to move to another city or country or even go on a mission trip.  For real, I work for a mission organization - how backwards would that be?

What I'm saying is take a cue from nature.  Slim down a little.  Get rid of that extra emotional baggage you're carrying around.  Don't use the Lord's voice as an excuse to run off to your dream location or skip out on your job because it's not fun anymore.  Take time and intensely listen to what He is saying.  Is He saying rest?  Go just a little deeper?  Maybe He is saying to quit and move to Africa.  I don't know, but I bet He does. :)

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

 

 In New Zealand I tramped (Kiwi for hiked) with a team through the bush for the month.  We were able to minister to locals in the small towns we passed through, those out for a day at the beach and visitors to New Zealand's beautiful countryside.  It was great to be part of a small team as they learned how to pray and prophesy over each other - some for the very first time.

 

 

WHAT AM I DOING NOW?

I'm still involved in the lives of the "M" Squad through email and by reading their blogs.  I will get to see them at the AWAKENING conference in August and also at their final debrief right before Thanksgiving. I'm excited to be reunited with them very soon!

In the meantime, I have committed to working with The World Race for the next year.  Towards the end of the four months I spent on the field, I was asked to join the Logistics department of The World Race.  After much prayer, I felt peace that the Lord wanted me to take this position.  I will be helping to empower hundreds of young adults while they are exposed to the mission field by acting as a liaison between them and our ministry contacts around the world.  All of this will mean wearing a much bigger coat (I Samuel 2:18-26) and taking another huge step of faith.

HOW YOU CAN HELP...

In this new job I am still considered a missionary, which means I will raise support for my salary.  I need to raise $12,000 for the next year.  This money will go towards my living expenses in Georgia and my flights to visit the "M" Squad this fall.  I also need a vehicle to get back and forth to work.  God has supplied me with a car in the past and I'm excited to see how He will provide for all of my needs yet again.

Will you partner with me and commit to supporting me?  Your monthly donation of $100 is 10% of my needed support!  Of course one-time donations are always welcome.  Thank-you for your prayers - I greatly need them in order to continue impacting lives.  I trust that God will prompt your heart to sow into His Kingdom.