Today we had a visitor from Mongolia. He shared with us many things which we can expect when we get there. I must admit my heart sank a little as he talked of the many difficulties and things which we might face while looking at the pictures of the starkness and bleakness of winter. Leaving behind good friends and family, sunny beautiful California and moving to such a cold bleak place with its many problems felt very overwhelming. The thoughts, "why are we doing this?" came creeping up in to my heart. He said some things which made me shudder. He told us about the spiritual darkness, the hardness of the life which takes its tole on the people, and the reality of couples divorcing - these are Christian couples! The work is hard, the stress is great, and there is need for much prayer for victory and success in God's work there in Mongolia.
Suddenly I felt 3 feet tall and very unprepared for what we will face. I can truly relate to the children of Israel when they said, "there are giants in the land!" That was one man's perspective. The others said, "the land flows with milk and honey." But Caleb said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it."
I've been thinking alot about that word, "possession." The Lord wanted the children of Israel to "possess" the land. To own it. To live on and in it. In the spiritual sense He wants us to"possess" the kingdom of God within. It is a good word to consider what Caleb said...."Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." With God we can do all things.
This move is to me like what the children of Israel faced - a new land which has to be possessed. However, the GREAT thing is that God goes with us and fights for us. We are not alone - this is not a battle of flesh and blood but of His Great Spirit and life and it will mean an enlarging, a time of growth, a time to prove His faithfulness and power. So we are cast on Him and rely on His steadfastness.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated!!!
