by Joyce Sibthorpe
I’m told it is probably reverse culture shock! Having just returned to England after six weeks in Central Asia, I’m finding life a little unpredictable. I spent the first weekend in my own home with our youngest son, his wife and four children – they are displaced persons themselves – waiting to return to their work in Chad. They have now just heard that they can go back mid-April.
After three days in our own bed, we re-located to the home of our son Daniel & Tanya, who are ministering in Burundi, in order to keep the school routine going for their children, plus being their taxi service to music lessons, dancing, after school jobs and trips to the skate park.
Nothing is normal, every routine is different, I have to ask where everything lives and on top of the five hour time change and other adjustments, it has been a strange time. I feel disoriented – Have I been praying enough? Have I been reading enough scripture? I am finding it hard to find time to be alone, even to think my own thoughts!
Then God spoke two comforting words – He said, “I am outside of time, I do not evaluate use of time as you do.” There are times when we can beat ourselves up because we haven’t been able to spend the time we would like in “spiritual activity.” But with God a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
God also said, “Be aware that I am with you, in you, never leaving you, part of you, organically linked to who you are and all you do.” We do not need set times to communicate “we” are one. God continued, “When you start thinking like this you see life as a whole, not in separate compartments. I am with you when you lie down, when you work, rest, sleep.”
So, God’s word to me is, “Relax, my Holy Spirit who indwells you is wisdom, truth and He will guide, correct, instruct and lead. Trust me as you let my word be your external source of instruction and my Spirit your internal compass.”
Your identity is no longer ‘you alone’ but ‘Christ in You’ and together we please the Father.
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