Blog

Explore My News,
Thoughts & Inspiration

RSS Feed

Subscribe

Renovation Before Restoration

The Israelites were an interesting group of people, weren’t they? We read about them through the entire Old Testament and, normally, we associate them with the word disobedience. After reading through Jeremiah, I was reminded of the “renovation” they needed to go through in order to be restored. Throughout the entire book of Jeremiah, we are reminded time and time again of the disobedience and idolatry that ran rampant throughout the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. We read of God’s wrath coming upon them, stripping them of everything that made them unclean in the eyes of the Lord. This wrath took the form of the Babylonian Empire. As I was reading this book, a few thoughts ran through my head; one, I am so glad I live in the New Testament instead of the Old; two, how could all these people not listen to the constant reminders of God’s wrath presented to them through the prophet Jeremiah; and three, through all that disobedience, God still wanted to see His Israel be rebuilt. In Jeremiah 46:27 we read, 

“Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant;

    do not be dismayed, Israel.

I will surely save you out of a distant place,

    your descendants from the land of their exile.

Jacob will again have peace and security,

    and no one will make him afraid.”

You see this was written when the Israelites were sent into exile for 70 years under the reign of the Babylonian Empire. God wanted to remind Israel that, “you aren’t forgotten, I know it stinks right now, but I will save you. I still love you.” Throughout reading this book, I thought, “why would God use this violent empire to punish His people, when He could have given them a miracle?” But the thing I realized, the Israelites got a little bit too familiar with God. They chose to throw Him aside and do whatever they wanted because they got comfortable with Him. They got comfortable with their role in society, and they got comfortable with their routine lifestyle. God chose to use an upcoming event to shift the focus of the Israelites back to Him. He used the attack of the Babylonians and exile of Israel to shift the focus of the Israelites from themselves back to God. 

When I read this, I couldn’t help but think of this time we are living in now. Before this pandemic, I believe I became like the Israelites, comfortable with God. I would make God out to be the fine china my grandma has in her cabinet. It looks good on the shelf but we never take it out to use. I would go through each day acknowledging God, that He was there, but never really kept my focus on Him. He was just something to show people, “look here is God in my life.” I was missing Intimacy. As a society, we made this our normal and we want God to do this miracle to show the world who he is, but would we still listen? The Israelites didn’t, it took 70 years in exile for them to recognize who God really is. Now we are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, where our old normal is gone forever. All of us are out of our normal routines and wondering what is the plan for the future.

If I can be honest with you, being on the mission field, with no groups coming down to serve with us and ministry being put on hold, I have experienced an “identity crisis.” Before this pandemic, I felt like I had a role on this ministry team, I would help translate, I would lead Bible Study for kids ages 10-15 years old, I would work on the farm alongside men in the community, etc. I believe God knew this pandemic was coming. I believe God is teaching me through this pandemic. It is what I needed to have a perspective shift, an identity shift. I, like the Israelites, needed the shift. Honestly, since the ministry has been on hold, I have struggled finding my place in Nicaragua. When all I thought was normal was stripped away from me, I had to find what was left. I saw, through the remains, an 18 year old guy who operated in a performance mindset. During this time of stoppage, I have begun to use this time to earnestly seek the Lord in finding my true identity as a son of the Most High King.  

I believe I’m not alone in this. I believe there are many people like me whose lives have been put on hold and now are left wondering who am I without work, without income, without sports, or without school. Then today I was reminded of something in Jeremiah, God used that time of exile (renovation) to begin the process of restoration in the Kingdom of Israel; tearing down all what Israel built. So what am I getting at? The Israelites had everything taken away from them for 70 years as the Babylonians ruled over them. Our lives have been put on hold for the past 2-3 months and possibly more. The Israelites needed to be reminded of their Identity in the Most High King. I needed to be reminded that I am not just a translator who is still struggling with language, not just a missionary, not just a farmer, not just an 18 year old, but a son of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. After 70 years, restoration began for the Israelites. I, too, am beginning restoration, prioritizing my life to be centered around Christ and not in things I do, activities/ministries, or being a missionary kid; my identity can be founded in the One who made me.  

Let us begin to rip down the walls of this house we have put ourselves in, founded on the idea that work is the most important thing, school is the most important thing, sports are the most important thing. Let us begin to lay a new foundation built upon who we are in Christ, sons and daughters of the greatest Father.

As a family, we would like to say, “thank you,” through your financial giving and prayers, we are able to make it through each day knowing there are family and friends back home praying for us daily. Here are a few things you can be praying for, over the next few weeks:

  • We are battling with homesickness

  • Each one of us are trying to find our place on the farm

  • Doubt and loneliness

  • Fear of what the future holds for our family, the ministry, and the community

  • For us to let go of things we can’t control. 

Thank you for those who have reached out to us with your own prayers, thoughts, and concerns. We cherish them and honor them dearly. Please continue to send us your prayer requests, as it allows us to stay connected with the people we love so much. We are so thankful for each one of you!