Painted Horizons.

I shared this photo on my social media and a friend wrote back that "God is painting my horizons" and I felt that to be so true. In this season living in Haiti, it has been a constant dichotomy of grief, sadness, war and violence mixed in with the pure joy of a child who is oblivious to the world around them. A little mixture of what God is doing in the midst of evil and the kind of PEACE that only God can give. Basically perfection happens every evening where the skies are painted with beautiful sunsets and bright starry skies.

This week we had staff meeting.

I forgot my book and Bible and speaker. I had something prepared but because of the rain and mud we couldn’t do it.

I told my husband that I didn’t have much planned and we would end quickly. I was tired. Everyone was drained and feeling down.

But then God…

He showed up anyway in the midst of our fatigue. And out came a powerful message of Conviction, repentance and HOPE.

Because more cases than not, it takes something on our end whether it be repentance or surrender or sacrifice. We often ask and ask and ask and take and take and take with God. Like He is our puppet who is there to do as we command.

But what happens when you live in a country with war and without options?

When gangs are closing in and those around you have family who are affected?

Our staff showed up down, depressed, feeling heavy and hopeless. And out came a message of conviction and hope: Just as the Israelites saw NO WAY FORWARD when they reached the shores of the Red Sea... they believed they would perish or return to the slavery they were just released from. But there was yet another way. A MIRACLE. One of many miracles that God would perform to deliver them into safety. He did not leave them abandoned at the banks of the Red Sea. He created a way THROUGH it and He parted the sea so they would walk into deliverance and safety once and for all. They had to choose to walk forward and not look back from the bondage they were in. They did not trust the Lord for they felt they only had two options but they discredited God and did not trust that HE had another option. One that was not seen. One that was only for HIM to do.

And by the end of our time together- God had shown a side of the Gospel that we have been praying to see.

We repented…together for not trusting God and for not believing what He says is true.

We surrendered…together.

And we found HOPE in a way that only God can give in these desperate times. And that is something America may not understand. But it is something that I am thanking God for because with all of the evil happening- God has not once abandoned us. If you are feeling like today is hopeless and it will never get better, please know that you are not alone. It WILL get better and when life is too difficult to stand...then kneel.

Psalm 119:114

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.”

Psalm 130:7

“O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.”

Psalm 147:11

“The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.”

Romans 5:5

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit [which] was given to us.”

Romans 12:12

“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.”