welcome back

'Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.'*

My dreams may not have been leading me on my travels these past 6 months, but I did have a hope and an aim in my travels: to see more of the world and how God might want to use me in it. For the moment, I have returned to Australia. And rather easily I have slipped back into a routine; catching up with friends, getting involved in my local church and community. There are some strange things that make a place comfortable and familiar. For me, the other day I had a moment where I felt like I was really back in Australia. 

It was a winter's day, I was sitting in the sun with a friend, near the beach, knitting. The best part was the reactions we got. A few people made comments which struck me. One elderly lady was amazed that two women in their 20's would be knitting. A couple of middle aged women were inspired and declared they would take up knitting this winter! And a man pushing a pram and walking a dog, without pausing in his stride, said "knitting on the beach. awesome!" and walked away!

(I heard this song on the radio in Germany a few days before flying back to Australia. It felt right to listen to that song then, as though anticipating the greetings I would receive! although i don't like all the words, the chorus is what caught my attention and stayed with me)

** 

Welcome back to Australia, I tell myself. I wouldn't say that my "dreams" of seeing the world have changed in a way to bring me back to Australia. They have changed in how I see myself being used by God, but that is a different point. I am back, and I feel I am here where I am needed..."who'd have thought they'd lead ya, back here where we need ya"**. The friends I have caught up with have told me how much they missed me, and given me tasks to do, and people to see, and things to plan and aim for in the near future which are exciting and heart warming!

I love that God is a God of promises. He commits to doing things, no matter the cost, his seriousness in that can be seen in God the Son dying in our place so that God can have a right relationship with us again, having dealt with our failure himself! I am not saying that my little life -or this trip- is anything like the experience of the Israelite people. But knowing that God has a plan and a purpose and a destination for where life will be is a great comfort as I wonder 'when' and 'how' I will end up 'where'.

"What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you."***

Coming back to Australia is wonderful (so far), I really like it here. But in the end, what I want in life is not good weather but something far more meaningful than that! I want to follow wherever God leads. God's people, as they were about to enter the promised land were open and trusting to God's plans. 

"We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us."**** 

I want to have a similar trust and openness as I step out in faith as to what my future holds. The unknown can be daunting and frustrating and worrying, but knowing that my plans are probably different to Gods, and His plans are perfect, I relax knowing I am where I am now for a reason, and if/when I am somewhere else that too will be with a purpose, somewhere I am needed by God. And so I pray for light and truth and guidance as I seek God's will for my life.

*Psalm 43:3

**John Sebastian, 'Welcome Back' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzmBoEfsA9E)
***Genesis 28:15
****Joshua 1:16