The massive praying hands statue at the DMZ in Korea. The 4 fingers are pointed at South Korea and the 2 thumbs pointed up to God.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30

I have been so busy along my journey through this amazing country called South Korea that I haven’t had the time to sit down and spend my normal quiet time with the God of the universe that I so took for granted back in the States. That changed today. Was I exhausted from all the traveling we have done lately? Yes. But that wasn’t the reason I decided to forego one of our excursions to stay at the dorm today. The real reason was because I was desperate to spend a day with my God. Oh how I have needed it! I can feel the life being sucked out of me every day that passes where I don’t spend that time deeply entrenched in His word and in communication with Him. After today I feel so much more secure in my ability to trust Him with my decision of whether I come back to South Korea for the fall or not. So much of my brain lately has been wrapped up in weighing out the pro’s and con’s of coming back or staying at Western…literally to the point that I’m giving myself migraines and losing sleep over it. How selfish and self-righteous of me to keep choosing to hold on to stress and worry when I have a God so capable of taking that burden off my shoulders. I look to everyone around me with the answers instead of trusting my Lord and believing that He will show me the right way, and although it may not be easy it will be worth it. As His word says, “whom HE predestined, He called, justified and will glorify”. The God that created the air that I breathe will glorify me?? A lowly, selfish person like me? Oh how He loves!

Today He broke my heart for what breaks His. What a day it has been. I needed to cry. Cry to Him. Surrender my efforts and trust Him. Those tears were tears of joy, affirmation, desperation, healing, admiration, trust, faith and love. He has pulled me back into Him and shown me that He is here, always ready to save me and help me through. He never leaves, no matter how alone I am, He is always here. So now I have faith that no matter where He sends me next fall I am going to make it through because He is with me and He is growing me so much just while I am here for a month, that I can only imagine what He will do through me in 4 months here, if this is where I am sent again. I serve an amazing God.