As we have just returned from debrief, I cannot help but look back on this semester. But before I do that, let me tell you a bit about a letter I received in the post today. It’s from the Royal Mail. On 30 October I sent an absolutely crucial piece of my university application to my chosen institution, and purchased the “Airsure” expedited/insured delivery service. Well, about a month ago I still had not received confirmation of its delivery, so I submitted my receipt to the people who have since become my friends at the local post office. Today, on 13 December, I received a letter from the Royal Mail headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent, telling me that they should have things sorted out within 90 days. Meanwhile, I will return on Saturday to find an acceptance or rejection letter waiting for me from my university. The crux of the situation is that I will not be happy if I am rejected because that signed paper was lost in the mail. Please pray for my sanity if this should turn out to be the case.
Also, there seems to be a chance of snow on Saturday–the very day I am scheduled to return. So between the prospect of long lay-overs and a rejection letter, things could be interesting for me. Please pray!
Now to finally adress what I’ve been reflecting on these past few days. Certainly many things have happened these past months on the mission field in Britain, accompanied by lots of learning experiences. But i’ve been trying to think about the “definate” things i’ve learned. That is, what is it that i’ve learned that isnt ephemeral, or contextual just to this place, or something like that? I think the most prominent answer I’ve contrived is through our study of prayer. We’ve read two books on prayer along with my daily commitment to read the Word and pray for an hour every morning, so I’ve spent lots of time learning and exploring what it is to pray. I’ve discovered one incontrovertable, unassailable lesson.
I remember a teacher of mine once tell me never to pray for patience, because God will answer that prayer and place people in your life that will test your patience. I dont really agree with not asking for a fruit of the Spirit, but I see the point. I have not prayed earnestly for patience. I have, however, prayed for knowledge of my Savior. I have prayed these last few months to grow closer to God, to learn more about Christ, and to follow the Holy Spirit without question. And God has answered that prayer. Many nights I have been up late, with different aspects of God on my mind, whether a perplexing Bible verse, or something that was said, or whatever. When you pray to learn who God is, o, you will learn. When you pray earnestly to grow closer to Him, o, you will be up late with his words to us on your mind. I remember back to some high school classes when I was frusterated because I wasnt able to grasp the content. But at the end of the class, I packed up my books and went on my way. Not so with the subject of God. You dont pack up and leave. You cannot, and when you ask to know who God is, you will not be able to stop thinking about Him. Last words go to Charles Haddon Spurgeon:
” It has been said by some that “the proper study of mankind is man.” I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God’s elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, “Behold I am wise.” But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought, that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild donkey’s colt; and with the solemn exclamation, “I am but of yesterday, and know nothing.” No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God. But while the subject humbles the mind it also expands it. He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe. The most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity. And, whilst humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatary. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a balsam for every sore. Would you lose your sorrows? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead’s deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of grief and sorrow; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead.”
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart” Jeremiah 29:13
