Trust without borders
"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters wherever You have called me."
This is part of the bridge of "Oceans" by Hillsong United and it resonated with my spirit this morning. What does trust without borders look like? Borders make us feel safe and in control. Do I really trust God as the author and the artist and the potter to direct my life wherever and however He designs? Knowing that He is always good and that He sees the bigger picture and has a plan for my life that goes beyond anything that I could ask, dream or imagine (see Ephesians 3:20).
I love this quote about Aslan from C. S. Lewis:
These last few days have been big for me in terms of stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things - I presented for the first time at a staff training day, I preached for the first time at church and I presented for the first time at HDCS (Humanitarian Development and Community Services), the organisation that own KISC. All of them went well and I could feel the Holy Spirit right there with me, even though none of them were entirely comfortable! I feel like God is challenging me - and maybe you too - to keep stepping up when He nudges and not to let fear, inadequacy or unfamiliarity hold us back.
Life here is beautiful and hard and hard and beautiful. I feel like all sorts of things have been thrown at me of late where, if I take my eyes off Jesus and start looking at the wind and the waves like Peter did (Matthew 14:22-33), it would be easy to go under. I can think of many much more comfortable options right now than staying the course where I am! BUT He has not brought me this far to leave me, and my life is not my own.. and I only have one life to live.. so I want all of it to point to Him and be used for His glory.
We had our KISC staff social on Friday night and I am undone with gratitude for each of these amazing friends and colleagues who come from so many different nations for many different lengths of time, and serve so wholeheartedly here.
For me, the last staff social feels like the beginning of the end of the academic year. It's where the "goodbyes" start and where I start to feeling the urgency to pour everything that I have left into these Grade 4 students who I have invested so much in each day since August, and who will soon fly the nest as they head away from me and into Grade 5 and beyond! (2 weeks of term left now!)
Doing "goodbyes" well is hugely important and actually very difficult - continuing to keep your heart open and soft to people as they journey so closely with you and then leave has to be a deliberate choice. Choosing to be vulnerable again and investing again in new people who arrive, not knowing how long they will be around for is also a deliberate choice. This is a very different concept for me as, when I was in the UK, I got used to being the one that left rather than being the one who was left! And I was also used to being the one who was still new even after 6 years of working at the same place... whereas after only 4 years here I feel very established and trusted. 4 years is a long time in this context.
I love this nation, I love this community and I wouldn't change it for the world! I love the everyday opportunity to serve so many nations, to love so many colleagues and children and to share God's heart with them in a very open way. I learn new things of Him and am amazed by His goodness afresh every day. Once in a while, often after the rain, I also get a glimpse of the mountains that surround us and that remind me that I can lift my gaze to Him and that He is my help. (Psalm 121:1)
Some things that have been bringing me joy lately:
- The swimming pool at Civil Homes is now open! I am trying to go swimming once a week and it's very good for my soul!
- I have restarted (now that my wrist is almost back to normal) playing netball with staff once a week and it's very good!
- Hammock time.. how blessed am I to live in a house that has TWO hammocks!
- Good friends coming back - one of my closest people is now back in the country after being away for a year and it makes my heart SO happy!
- I did my class assembly on "Made for a purpose" a few days ago and it was so great! I really love getting to do music and drama with my students and seeing them come alive on the stage as they tell God's story.
- Having worship nights with my people, seeing teams come and go and having those moments of encountering God alongside people who I have never met but who are family!
Prayer points:
- That I will finish well with my Grade 4 students.
- For staffing for our school next year. We are in urgent need of these positions in Secondary: French teacher, German teacher, History teacher, English teacher. Please pray that God will bring the right people in and do share this website with your contacts:
- For a safe journey back to the UK for the summer! I fly on 12th June ✈️ I will be around until 25th July, based in Reading. I would LOVE to see you - please get in touch with me if you would like a coffee 😊
- For financial provision: if you feel led to give financially to help support me, you can do so through Stewardship here: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/20276107 or directly to my account at Miss H L Stewart Account number: 00398628 Sort code: 11-08-62
- For me to keep my eyes on Jesus and keep stepping forward as He continues to lead me on - where my trust is without borders.
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