Are you waiting?

 

Isaiah 40:28-30 (The Message)

 

"He energizes those who get tired,

gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,

young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don’t get tired,

they walk and don’t lag behind."

 
To wait:

• "To call upon or visit."
• "To remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens."

The immediate definition I think of is literally sitting and waiting for something to happen. Sitting quietly to hear God's voice. Spending time in silence. Waiting upon the Lord.

But there is another definition of the word 'wait':

• "To perform the duties of an attendant or servant for."
• "To supply the wants of a person, as serving a meal or serving a customer in a store."

During Sunday morning worship at church two weeks ago we sang several songs that were based off of the last few verses of Isaiah 40 including this song, as well as a song the worship leader had written himself. At one point he stopped the music and said to us,

 

"I have a friend who, after hearing the song I wrote, said, 'Man, I just love to sit in my room and wait on God. I just spend hours waiting on him.' To which I replied, 'Yeah man that's awesome and I love to do that too, but that is not what this particular song is about.' This one is about being a servant. Being a waiter."
 

He told us that in the original Hebrew text of this passage in Isaiah, the literal translation was to be a servant. Now, I don't know Hebrew so I can't back up that statement. But even so, it was a perspective I had never heard before...and I like it. (If you can translate Hebrew, verify this for me?)

Mark 10:41-45 

As Christians, we are called to be Christ-like. Christ came to be a servant to mankind. So should we be.

Matthew 25:37-40

God says that when we serve the people around us, we are serving Him.

Colossians 3:23
SO: We will be strengthened as we serve others in our community; as we put other people's needs in front of our own; as we seek the Lord; as we sit in silence to hear His voice; as we go on that missions trip; as we go to college and university; as we go to work and interact with our co-workers; as we do everything as if we were doing it for the Lord.

Are you waiting?

Australia you say?

As most of you know, starting in two weeks I head off to Australia for a five month excursion with Youth With A Mission on the Sunshine coast near Brisbane. While I am there I will be participating with 32 other students in a three month Discipleship Training School where we will learn more about God and His heart for the nations. I know that it will be a time of significant growth for all of us. I am anticipating to learn more about myself and God's unfailing love while I am on this trip. Following the lecture phase, we will be split up into various outreach teams and sent to a location yet to be determined to put what we've learned into practice and practically bless the people we will meet there. After our two months of outreach we will meet back at the base to debrief, graduate and then head back home! Thankyou all for your support and prayers, they are so appreciated!

I will be updating my blog to let you all know what I am up to, update prayer requests, and the lessons God will be teaching me along the way as often as I can. If you are interested in receiving an email notification every time I post, you can scroll down to the bottom of the page and click "Join This Site," or pop your email address into the white box.

Much love,
Moira

Being a bit touristy.

Today, after a wonderful "leftover" lunch, we went to the new Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Center and learned more about the area we are living in, where the good hiking and biking trails are, the wildlife in the area, as well as the history of the valley. It was all very informative and very well done. Fun fact: Under some of the main freeways here they have built tunnels so there is a safe way for animals to cross the busy streets without getting hit. The counters inside the center were all made of recycled glass from old government buildings - very cool! There was also a lovely tile-fountain outside the center that looked like it belonged in Greece.

After the visitor center we drove down to the coast to sight-see a little bit. We ended up parking along the side of the road and walking down the shore of the FIRST beach we have been to since arriving here. We took a lot of photos and had a marvelous time. :)

What is your favourite outdoor activity?

Currently Digging...

...going to Starbucks. Starbucks = Free wifi. It's turning out to be a whole lot more complicated to get wifi at our place than we were anticipating. So off to Starbucks we go! My faves are PTL's with a pump of raspberry syrup and soy Cinnamon Dolce Latte's with whip. ^_^

...Sunshine. Sunshine and more sunshine! Today was absolutely GORGEOUS outside. My grandma and I played Yahtzee for at least an hour and a half this afternoon. We sat in the sun for the first while but ended up having to move into the shade so we wouldn't completely burn ourselves.

...Smoked salmon and goat cheese on gluten-free crackers. I felt very fancy when I whipped up that snack today.

...Karah's sick volleyball skills. We all drove out to her first tournament this past Sunday. She enjoyed playing with her new team and had some awesome blocks!

...the scenery. Every night there has been a stellar sunset. I can't get over it. So much beauty all around.

What are you digging?