The Father's Nearness

It is amazing to think that the time of our departure for Fiji is almost here. Well, close but still several months away. After being on this journey for more than 10 years a few months doesn't seem like that long.

Currently our preparation for Fiji is learning to trust God with every detail of our lives and to pursue Him with all of our hearts. It is such a joy to be in a position to depend on Him. We would have it no other way.

Today was a great day here in our home. God put a song in each of our hearts by His grace and truth. As we share the living Word with our children and apply His truth to our own lives God makes our joy to abound.

A friend and I are memorizing Psalm 46. I was so refreshed today by the truths of river that flows out from His throne. Symbolizing the pleasure and refreshment that He provides (Ps. 36:8, Rev. 22:1-2). Are you eager to live in the eternal warmth, light, and goodness of heaven that He has prepared for us? Today I saw a beautiful picture of a balcony overlooking the sea, possibly from Cyprus or Greece. It was decked in flowers and had a place to sit alone and bask in the sun. I thought "I could really draw near to God there." Then I realized how unlike my Savior that kind of thinking is. He did not need to sit on beautiful balconies away from the needy people to be near His Father. He continually served among them while abiding in perfect fellowship with His Father. Before the cross, wherever He was, whatever He was doing He was in perfect unity with the Father. I have so much growing to do. So often when the neediness around me grows I get distracted from my Father's nearness. Yet that is when I need Him most. May God give us all the grace to realize His nearness no matter where we are or what we are doing. I thank God for His mercy and His promise to always be at work using every situation to conform us to His image.