Soaring on “Wings like Eagles”

I don’t know how many of you have heard of or read Bob Goff’s book, Love Does, but you seriously should. I haven’t had the pleasure of doing so, but I hope to soon. Bob is an amazing guy, and just listening to him is REALLY interesting. A whole book about him? Now THAT’S interesting.

A moment ago, I was thinking that there could be a book called God Is. Each chapter could have a different title like God is the redeemer, God is coming, God is immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine, God is love, God is hope for the orphans, strength for the weak, and God is always enough. But then I realized something. There is a book like that. It’s called the Bible.

I honestly believe I could fill a whole book with “God is…” statements. There are just so many! Four months before coming to Africa, the middle school girls at our church were having bible study. Kudos to Corinne Le for starting that bible study, by the way! At our first meeting, Corinne had laid out journals for us, and we were each supposed to choose one. There was no question about which one I wanted. In fact, the journal is next to me on my bed right now.

The cover is blue and has an eagle on it. Until that day, I had never seen/heard the verse on the cover. But boy, am I glad I saw it that day. It’s a pretty well-known verse, but also a really important one. It is a verse that we should all strive to base our life off of. It isn’t one of those, “Be-perfect-so-you-can-be-like-God” kind of verses. This verse has become one of my favorite, and is definitely one of the most inspiring.

It reads: “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” Isaiah 40:31. I don’t know what you envision when you read that verse, but I sure know what I see. I picture a person flying in the sky. It’s sort of like in the gospels when Peter walks on water, but as soon as he loses faith, he falls. It may seem impossible for a person to fly, but just remember, nothing is impossible with God. Never, never, never, lose faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of you may have thought that I was going to say never, never, never give up (Winston Churchill), but if you have faith, you won’t give up anyway.

I’ve sort of strayed off topic a little bit, but I think that’s okay. The point of everything I post is to always have faith, always give it all to God, and pray for those who aren’t as fortunate as you. Sometimes it may not seem like I have all of this in me, or at least I didn’t the last time you saw me. But this has always been in me, just bursting to get out. Coming here has given me the courage to finally get it off my chest.

Really, honestly, I know that I will never be the same girl. Mission trips can make you do things you never would have done otherwise, and things that (without faith) could’ve/should’ve killed you. They also stretch your faith so thin you think it’s going to snap. Mission trips… broaden your faith more than you before thought imaginable.

I want to thank everyone who reads this blog. We can honestly feel the prayers and support.  They are DEFINITELY helping. The last thing I want to say is that there is this really great book you should read. Stormie O’ Martian has written a series of books called “The Power of a Praying…” Teen, adult, kid, whatever you are. I have The Power of a Praying Teen with me in Uganda, and it’s a really moving story. After each chapter, there is a little devotional-thingie. There are a few questions and they give you some supportive verses. Please look into purchasing one of those books. They are inspirational for adults and children. That’s all I have to say for today.

Thanks, Jennifer