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

See you again

“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.*

'See you again'. 'I will come back'. 'Come visit me'. 'Stay in touch'. 'Come back soon'. 'Goodbye'.

Saying 'Goodbye' is hard. It has the feeling of finality. On the other hand, saying the German equivalent 'Auf Wiedersehen' is easier, as it suggests a reunion, directly translated it is closer to 'see you again'. A description of travelling can be condensed to goodbye's. Saying hello, meeting new people, exploring new places is exciting and fun. But they all conclude at once time or another with which hurts, especially when one lives so far away!

I cannot count how many connections I have made and people I have met in the last 6 months! Each time I wonder how I can fit another person or place into my life, into my heart. And yet, somehow I continue to add people and places. And when it comes time to leave, to move on, I leave wonderful people behind in beautiful place. No matter where I go, I will have people not there with me. (At least in this day and age it is easier to stay in contact with people all around the world!)

This transition has reminded me of Jesus and a few situations recorded in the Gospel of John. When one can no longer be present, in the same location, farewells are hard. For me saying goodbye to my young cousins was really hard. Because, for them, my going away is incomprehensible. When one asked, 'when will you next come and visit?' and I had to answer 'I'm not sure, but most likely after you've started school', the confusion and disappointment on her face was heartbreaking. I can only imagine how hard it would have been for Jesus and his close friends when it was drawing near to the end of His time on earth...

Later Jesus said to them again, “I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going". ...Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I Am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”**

Where Jesus was going was really another world away, it is foreign and unimaginable to us, more beyond-our-understanding than Australia is to a 5 year old child. The journey longer than 3 hours by car... is there even such a place??? That one cannot reach by car or walking!???!

As I leave, I welcome one and all to visit Australia. It is a beautiful country, and there is much to see and the people are great (if I do say so myself)! I hope to offer advice or a place to stay if someone does need it, when they are in my part of the world. I have been welcomed into numerous homes while on my travels and I look forward to returning the favour. Jesus too was going, -however His journey was far more significant than mine!- to somewhere we cannot reach by plane or car, yet, He wasn't escaping from us, but rather going to prepar a place for us. One day, He'll show us His place, and welcome His friends in! How exciting! He explained:

'In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”***

All in all, this has been a (long) holiday, and so in reality I am returning 'home' to Australia. And so I reflect on what Jesus said to the man whom he healed of deamon possession in Gerasenes*, to go home and share all the wonderful stories and experiences of how Jesus has answered prayer, provided, blessed, restored, supported and encouraged. God is great. Goodbye's are hard, but with Jesus they are not final. Because whatever happens, in Christ, we have the promise of eternal life, where one day I will see my spiritual brothers and sisters again!

*Luke 8:39 (whole story found in verses 26-39)
**John 8:21,23-24
***John 14:2-4

Best Friend!

'The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.'*

Best Friend. It has a lot of images and memories for people; some priceless, funny, heart warming, and rich memories. Others may have more complicated or painful memories, of misunderstanding, betrayal, or loneliness. I have both.

It can be deeply hurtful when a close friend breaks trust, King David too felt this pain; 'Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.'** It's so hard to understand, deal with, and forgive.

There is one friend I can count on, no matter where I am, or what time of day or night it is, how long I want to talk, regardless of how angry or happy I am, they want to hear from me and love being with me. Even if I fail on my side to be such a good friend, I can trust their side to be constant.

My Best Friend has experienced great pain, indescribable rejection, overwhelming loneliness. And through those experiences He can be such a good friend to me! He understands life, because He lived life! I cannot comprehend just how forgiving and compassionate and loving God is, in giving His Only Son. I am speechless when I reflect how Jesus reached into our lives, experienced life on earth, became a man, so that we could know God as Friend, as well as Lord and King!

Jesus told His followers, 'You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.'****

We can know God as Father in a personal and intimate way! We can know God the Son, 
Jesus, as a Friend and Brother! This is all possible because we are not alone, God gave His Spirit to all who believe, so that we can be part of this intimate relationship. God's Spirit speaks our language and the language of God, groans when we don't have the words, and comforts us with peace when we need it.

Last year every few days on my way to uni there was a busker who played his Chinese string instrument, the erhu****. Please take the time to listen to the following link and reflect on what a great Friend Jesus is!

...Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer. ...

*****

*Psalm 25:14
**Psalm 41:9
***John 15:14-15
**** if you want to hear what it sounded like... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41vSo_qEPY4)
***** What a Friend we have in Jesus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XRmGEbH0qs)