Loud and Clear

God is good. All the time. 

I prayed last night for the Lord to speak to me loud and clear about my video mission work. I want him to help me discern between opportunities and obstacles. This morning, he spoke.

How does he do that? How do I know when he is speaking to me? Well, it unfolds. 

The day dawns. It is quiet. Clear.  A beautiful sunny day is ahead. It is peaceful and calm on the Lord's palette.

There are other channels and instruments God uses to speak to us: his people. My brothers and sisters.

In a span of about 10 minutes, I got an email from a professional photographer I just met and a phone message from a friend and spiritual advisor. Each expressed an eagerness to talk with me about my work and ways to go forward.

My spirit soars at these coincidences. Certainly these communiques have been in the works, even before my evening prayers, but they are enfolded in the plan that God has set in motion for me. My wonder and amazement never cease.

My faith is often weak. I sometimes doubt my purpose. Another source shared with me that the issue isn't if God will accomplish his will. The real issue is will you accept it, or reject it.

I pray for it daily but I just can't recognize it in the awesome silence of the day and the night.

The Lord stirs, he encourages me, reminds me he is near. This is the day he has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Wholly Discontented

I made an appointment to meet a pastor friend today to discuss my spiritual aches and pains in the wake of my mind-blowing, three-month mission trip to Africa. I shared with him how things seem different since my return, from relationships to corporate worship. There seems to be a gulf, or distance, between me and the people and things that were formerly so close to my heart.



I shared with him how I think and pray constantly of my next trip abroad, to renew beautiful relationships with selfless servants in Uganda. I've kept up the email chatter back and forth across the continents and the ocean. They await me. They want me. Sounds good.

Amazingly, there are even more opportunities for good video ministry in the Pearl of Africa. I recently met a friend of my Mother's at her church in Montclair, California. She helps support a mission in Uganda which battles poverty and the scourge of HIV/AIDS. There is mutual interest in how I can help her organization.

Once again, a video ministry opportunity opens up before me from my own sphere of influence.

Today I wanted to sort out with Pastor John the sense of conflict that it is inherent in my soul. Do I go, as I'm called to do, and as I want to do, to far off lands for mission and service? Or do I stay in my secure, ungated community, on the proverbial treadmill living a life of quiet desperation? Obviously, there is no question for the answer is obvious.

Pastor John clapped his hands and praised the Lord for what he called my "holy discontent."

We agreed that it marks a healthy process wherein my faith is tested and courage is summoned.

It's not unusual for us to be in conflict with the Lord. It's in our DNA.