Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. (Ps. 80:1)
MY HUSBAND AND A TEAM of volunteers from our church recently traveled to Haiti to install a sustainable UV water filtration system that would provide clean water for an entire village. The team had to endure brutal heat, physical exhaustion, and, of course, emotional hardship as they witnessed firsthand how the people of this troubled nation live. But through the entire week, Larry and his team maintained uplifted spirits and a strong sense of teamwork. And they saw God work through them in a powerful way.
I was not able to be a part of this trip; and from the comfort of my home, the week flew by. To Larry, though, the heat and discomfort made him acutely aware of every hour of every day. As meaningful as the work was, and even though God had given him a heart of love for the people he was serving, he was ready to go home when the week was over.
Sometimes I wonder if God ever wants to pack it up and “go home.” He is almighty God, but Scripture makes it clear that even He gets weary of dealing with stiff-necked people. Thankfully, God doesn’t just drop in to visit us for a week. He is faithful to us forever. He led His chosen people out of slavery and continues to shepherd us until this very day.
Spend some time in prayer, asking God to lead you.
Heather Gemmen Wilson is the author of the Global Warning Series (Wesleyan Publishing House), a fiction series for preteens. She is married to a Wesleyan pastor and together they have six children.