The Ascent

Have you ever paid too much money to go to an amusement park and then waited way too long to get on that giant roller coaster? Finally you make it to the front of the line and queue in for the next ride. You are excited and relieved that your time has finally come to climb aboard, but you are also feeling a bit anxious and wonder where the contents of your stomach may end up in the next five minutes. As your predecessors step out of the car, you step in and fasten your seat belt securely. An attendant comes by to see that you are ready to go and then pulls down a harness a bit too tightly across your chest. The ride makes a jerking start, and you are ready for the big climb.

As the roller coaster leaves the boarding platform, you feel your body tip back sharply and your eyes now look almost straight up to the sky. The movement is slow, and you hear that chain creaking and clanging beneath as it struggles to pull your train to the top of the first hill. At this point, no matter how much you scream and cry and beg to get off, it's not going to happen. You have begun that steep ascent, and there is no turning back. If you're afraid, looking down and around is probably not the best thing to do. Keep your eyes looking up! Trust that this is going to be great in the end.

If you know what I'm talking about, you have some sense of where Beth and I are right now in our journey to Lesotho. We have been waiting a long time to go on this ride. We are excited. But that ascent that must take place before the ride actually goes into full speed is a little daunting. A few weeks ago I stood in our kitchen and felt like I couldn't move because there were so many things to do that I didn't have a clue where to start. We have about a month to move out and move on. There is a lot of stuff to unload and so many details to take care of. Squeeze this pressure into a small space of time, and you may sense an oncoming explosion! To be very honest, though, we have an unusual calmness, which makes me think a lot of people are out there are blanketing us in prayer. (God bless you!)

One of my dear students, Terra, gave me a devotional book she had read from throughout the year. It is the kid's version of Jesus Calling written by Sarah Young. The June 10 selection reads as follows:

Ask Me to take charge of the details of your life. Remember that you are on a journey with Me. When you try to look into the future and plan for everything that might happen, you ignore your Friend who is with you all the time. While you're worrying about what's up ahead, you don't even feel the strong grip of My hand holding yours. How foolish that is, My child!

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. --Psalm 62:5

 Thank you Lord for going before us and being with us at all times. Help us to step out courageously knowing that You hold our hands. We love you!