Well, the trip wasn’t quite over. Friday morning I sped over with a friend to a function put on by ROCK International to hear an inspiring speaker share not only the vision and heart behind reaching street children but how to do it as well. An estimated 2.5 million street children in Egypt have spurred the church to take some action over this epidemic. It was an encouraging but sobering analysis of the plight of the orphan in that land.
After a quick lunch it was off to the airport as I embarked from Africa, to Europe, then to Asia in a span of just 12 hours. 3 continents in 10 hours brought me home at 4:00am Saturday ready to hang my traveling hat up for a time and embrace my family again.
One event though on the return voyage I want to highlight and perhaps bring home the importance of praying a prayer like I prayed above: “Father restore my soul.”
While I was waiting for my plane in Istanbul at about 10:30pm, a man sat down next to me at the airport café and we began talking. He was from Tel Aviv on business. We exchanged pleasantries, then before I knew it he was off to catch his plane.
As I finished my coffee, I thought, “Goodness, I want to talk with that guy again.” I quickly packed my things and set off for my gate wondering if I might see him. Sure enough, he was heading to the same set of gates as I was. We picked up the conversation again, and thanks to a long walk were able to talk a little bit about Yahweh.
Witnessing to God’s chosen people is never an easy sell, but somehow God gave me words that pierced his heart. He turned to me and said, “Well, then, what do you think the truth is?”
The opportunities that God puts in our ways are perhaps more than we could ever begin to dream of. Now and again, we flow with His spirit so closely that His words fall from our lips in ways we would never have imagined. But, without a residing peace and joy in our lives, our testimonies hardly contain convincing power.
Allowing the Father to literally restore our soul each and every day – no matter what kind of day we are facing or have faced in the past – enables us to walk in that abiding peace and joy that makes our testimonys not only something that are convincing but that are something that we actually believe in and want to share.
By asking God to rub the harsh edges off our souls, and woo us to himself again, we are not only allowing Him to bring more joy and refreshing into our lives, but allowing His kingdom to flow through us with ever increasing power and praise.
Why would the world ever want to listen to our words if our lives don’t reflect true joy? What is more real than finding true peace in this life?
Even at the end of a tri-continental business trip God offers us that very thing if we’ll simply ask: “Father restore my soul.” Then, watch out, the doors of heaven may just rush in and sweep you away.
Billy, Thank you so much for articulating so well God's great care and provision for us. What an amazing gift from HIM....a quiet day to rest, clean laundry, an opportunity to speak of the Hope you have....thank you for sharing.
I pray you're enjoying the reunion with your family.
Blessings,
Kate
Posted by: Kate Borders | May 22, 2009 at 08:13 AM