Homesick for the Holidays

This was our home before we left for Australia.  We lived in a quaint little cabin in the woods.  It was our favorite home, and we lived just a mile from my family so that was an extra bonus.  Fall/Autumn is my favorite time of the year.  So much so that we named our daughter Autumn. 

I will admit, when I start seeing all my friends post their photos of fall leaves, corn mazes, and pumpkins, I get a bit homesick.  Please don't misunderstand, I'm quite content where God has placed me but there is just something about crisp, cool, hoodie-wearing, pumpkin-everything weather.  I live in an area where we have two seasons - dry and wet (which means very hot).  Right now our temps are averaging over 100F every. single. day.  I don't own any long sleeve shirts, let alone a hoodie.  I wear thongs (ahem, flip flops for all you Yanks) every day. 

When your fall weather changes and snow begins to fall, and it's 110F here, all I want to do is lay in snow until I have frostbite.  Alas, I can't, so what do I do to make it through the holidays?

I plan new traditions on the field! 

Last year we hosted our first (now annual) Thanksgiving dinner.  We call it "Come give thanks with the Yanks".  (Yanks is what Australians call Americans no matter what state you're from.)  We have had so many people ask us if we're going to do it again, how can we say no?!!  Last year we had almost 50 people attend.  This year we are expecting 80.  My wonderful dad sent me plates, serviettes (napkins), cups, some other decorations, and canned pumpkin.  I went onto Pinterest and found lots of projects to add to the décor.  Everyone had a wonderful time as we celebrated and gave thanks to God for His blessings. 

(Just in case you are interested, turkeys costs roughly $10-$15/kg, which is about $5-$10/lb.)

Although, technically it's spring in Australia (but really, it's our wet season), we still decorate the house for fall, or Thanksgiving.  I'm so glad we brought our decorations along.  This really makes our house feel like home to us.

I find Christmas is a bit harder here because Christmas tends to be the hottest time of year here.  But we've made some wonderful traditions that we've come to look forward to.

Close to Christmas, we will drive around our town looking at Christmas lights, we've even driven to the next town (3 hours north) to look at their Christmas lights.  There aren't many, but it helps put us in the Christmas mood.  We just pretend it's freezing out.  :)  Last year we also decorated our house with lights, we plan to make it bigger every year.  What an opportunity to use our house to point others to Christ!

Last year we put on a Christmas play at our church, this took a lot of effort on my part and kept me very busy, but it was so worth it!

The largest attendance we had up to this point.

Who doesn't love cute little sheep?!

We also decorate our home.  I was once told it looked like Christmas threw up in my living room.  I think I'm okay with that.

We still build a snowman every year.

We just have to be creative!

 

One of the other traditions we have started is baking cookies for our local firemen.  Police officers are not allowed to accept cookies, what a shame.  As a thank you, the chief fireman gave us a ride in his firetruck!

Another fun thing here, is everyone has their Christmas party at the local pool.

And I also try to make a special Christmas dinner.



 

So, although we are not "home" for the holidays, we have found a way to not just survive, but thrive at our "home away from home".   I believe it was Jim Elliot who said, "Wherever you are be all there."  I am human, I do get homesick, I do miss my family, I still cry when I hear the song "I'll be home for Christmas", but I also don't want to miss the memories that we are making here.   I want to be in the moment. 

I once read where someone described our job title as "Someone who leaves their family, so others can spend eternity with theirs." 

"It will be worth it all."



I'm curious, how do you celebrate the holidays away from family and friends?

 

 



Blooming in the Mire

Blooming in the Mire

Read any planters guide to successful flowers and you will see a long list of suggestions; ideal conditions, geographically matching plants to locations, watering, fertilizing, etc. I have yet to find one that says, find a sewage infested swamp and plant your favorites bush right beside it! If you have a black thumb like me, you can do all the suggestions and still manage to kill a plant. Which makes me even more aware of learning ideal conditions.

We as humans tend to be the same. We feel we blossom best when in ideal surroundings; ideal church, family and health, geographically matched to our preferences, watered regularly with encouragement by friends and supporters and fertilized with a prospering job and stock options. Take any of those away and we tend to feel our possibility to bloom and grow has been heinously ripped from our hands.

All of these comparisons came to mind as I drove out of our apartment complex in Kathmandu, Nepal. Now wipe away the picture you are forming in your mind about the apartment complex down the street, right off a suburban road or highway, surrounded by more family houses. God has blessed us with a lovely apartment with many blessings, like 24/7 electricity and water, plenty of places to park and a small patch of grass the kids can run around in. But the 360 view isn't what people from modern countries would expect. To the rear you see farmer fields and rustic houses, where they plow and sew almost year round and children on their days off play in the 2 ft rain puddles that form. To the right you see a hospital with heli-lift pad that is frequently used and the children run as the dust flies so that they can see this exciting occurrence. Straight ahead I see the other 6, 12 story apartment buildings surrounding mine.

And to the right is where my story begins. You exit the gate to the apartments and you see a brown and polluted stream flowing beside you as you exit. It's depths vary depending on the season and the stench is also regulated by the heat. It is inhabited by ducks that waddle through it daily as it discolors their beautiful God given colorful design. This has become a common sight for us. There is a small medal bridge with one hand rail that we and all the locals cross to reach the main road in shorter time. My daughter tentatively yet proudly crosses this 4 ft tall bridge on a regular basis. My usually reaction as I cross this way is, those poor ducks! Look at what they waddle around in everyday.

But a few weeks back we began our normal jaunt across the pond as I exited my apartment complex and something caught my eye. To my right, at the side of this brown and unlovely stream stood a tree whose foliage had grown quite wide during this last rainy season. It was a few yards wide and shading a large portion of one side of the stream. But what really caught my eye was the beautiful blossoms that flowered all over this tree. It was truly pretty. How did this happen? How did the beautiful creation develop in this unlikely place? It had bloomed in the mire.

My mind instantly flew to the correlation that tree had to life in generally and mine specifically. So many times you hear people quote their reasons for inability to grow; the pastor has too many faults, the messages aren't to my liking, life is too crazy, we have no money, so many other people are doing wrong, oh and the new favorite, the government is so Evil! But I have been blessed to see those in my life who have submitted to Gods unlikely and unattractive plan and have "Bloomed in the Mire".

My mind began reviewing my life. It is far from what others would call ideal. I've had so many people shake their heads and tell me wide eyed, "I could NOT do what you do." I do completely understand not understanding the grace that other people experience in trials we have never faced. I have heard the quote many times, "Grace Never comes early, but always when you need it." So, I totally understand not being able to fathom how others handle certain situations. To be honest I have the same feeling when I look at military families; Leaving their families for long stints and many times in dangerous situations. But, so many have done it with grace and growth! We all have our own burdens to bear. Each diligently weighed and prepared for us by the Lord. Each with the purpose of growing us closer to Christ then ever before, not ever meant to cripple us spiritually.

I think about how the mission field, the unlikely stage for comfortable living, has allowed me the opportunity on many many many occasions to either "Bloom in the Mire" or become bitter by the challenge. I have seen it result differently in so many stories. And I have taken each path myself at times. This beautiful tree in the unlikely place was such a great reminder of Gods grace and ability to bring beauty from filth; filth of the human heart, filth of the sinful world and filth of pollution.

But it really made me think about our part in the equation. What is necessary for us to do to "Bloom in the Mire" that God places us in. These are a few things I've either learned from failure and grace or from observing those who have blossomed so beautifully in spite of challenge.

How to Bloom in the Mire

1. We must realize God has a plan in everything.

When things start to fall apart or frustrations began to mount ALWAYS remember it isn't by chance! It is easy to think that things are spiraling out of control and we are helpless to control life or our reactions to it. We are prone to act like God not only doesn't have a plan but has lost total control. When we choose to fight circumstances more than we trust Gods plan we end in a lot of frustration! As Americans we tend to believe we can fight through everything! We believe with determination and enough effort we can do anything. And heaven help the fit that will be thrown if we can't! If Nepal has taught me anything it's been that we need God in every situation and He can and will give grace in every situation if we will simple acknowledge our need.

HE HAS A PLAN!

In everything, He has a plan. When you feel your back is against the wall. When you feel everyone is against you. When you feel evil is pushing down on your from every side; Rememeber He has a plan!

2. We Must Submit To His Plan.

Once we grasp that life isn't chance or luck we have a choice. Will we submit to the plan? This is even harder at times than accepting He has a plan at all. Whether it's being in a location we don't like, submitting to an authority we would prefer not to, being kind to those who maliciously attack you, being content and giving your desires and hopes to the Lord or anything that comes to your mind to "Bloom in the Mire" we MUST submit to His plan. We can bitterly fight it for our whole life. We can with bull-dog determination fight for what we perceive as right and good or we can trust that God has a plan to work through any and all situations to grow us and prune us. If you find yourself daily fighting something and finding no victory perhaps you are fighting Gods plan that will give you greater victory than you can imagine.

Submit.

Submit when it doesn't make sense.

Submit when you don't want to.

Submit when it feels like you can't.

Just submit and trust, just trust He will honour His Word and your faith. Because I promise he will!

 

No one want to live in the mire. No one draws blueprints for their dream home surrounded by muck and mire. But God puts us in places we never would to bring out of us what we never could. So trust, submit and Bloom in the Mire.

Sent from my iPad

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Vacuum of Cumberfield

I live in Cumberfield.

Well, not all the time.

It's kind of like a seasonal retreat, though the word "retreat" isn't exactly how I would describe Cumberfield. Nevertheless, as much as I dislike Cumberfield, somehow I get sucked right back into in like a Cheerio into a vacuum.

That's it. Cumberfield is a vacuum and I am a Cheerio.

Unfortunately, I am a Cheerio that seems to position myself in the line of suction of the Cumberfield vacuum.

Furlough Fitness Part 6 (Serving, Victories, Go Bag, Bucket List)

Exercising Servanthood

Sitting.

On furlough, we do a lot of sitting. Sitting in the car, sitting in a pew, sitting in a desk, sitting at the table for a meal.

It's difficult to find ways around all the sitting, but every now and then I can get a little creative and sneak in some exercise in the craziest of ways. One of my favorite ways also incorporates one of my favorite loves: serving others.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Lasagna

This Chicken Cordon Bleu Lasagna was originally posted here. I have been wanting to make Chicken Cordon Bleu but am trying to get away from some of my more time consuming meals since making everything from scratch demands lots of time in the kitchen as it is! For me, using lasagna noodles that do not require pre-cooking can help cut the time required to make this meal down and I making it into a lasagna makes it a more filling meal for my two teenage boys who simply can't get enough food!

Cordon Bleu 

Ingredients:

9 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package directions (I use the kind that does not require pre-cooking)
4½ cups cooked and chopped chicken, grilled or rotisserie chopped
1½ cups cooked and diced ham
1½ - 2 cups cooked and chopped bacon
3 cups Swiss cheese, grated ( I use Gouda or Tilster as Swiss is not easily available for me)

SAUCE
½ cup butter
½ cup flour
4 cups milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon white pepper
16 ounces cream cheese, softened

Instructions:
In a large saucepan melt butter and add flour. Cook for 1 minute and then slowly add milk. Add garlic powder, garlic salt, salt and pepper. Stir with a whisk and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Stir in cream cheese and continue to stir until smooth. Remove from heat.
Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius (350 degrees F).
Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or grease lightly with margarine.

TO ASSEMBLE:
Place 3 lasagna noodles on the bottom of the pan.
Layer ⅓ of the chicken over the noodles.
Next layer ⅓ of the ham.
Pour ⅓ of the sauce over the ham.
Next sprinkle ⅓ of the cheese over the sauce
Finally sprinkle ⅓ of the bacon over the cheese.
Repeat 2 more times.
Bake at 160 degrees C (350 degrees F) for 45 to 60 minutes.

Third Culture Adult Identity Crisis

Yours truly at the amazing Alhambra, Granada, Spain

Thirty-two years on the field and I don’t know who I am, where I belong, or how to think only in English. I’m the most confused person on earth . . . and I’m sure I’m not alone.

Our first ten or more years, I tried so very hard to be Spanish—to talk like they do, gesture like they do, express myself using idioms, and understand their jokes. Sometime our third term, I realized it was impossible to be Spanish. People would walk up to me—in Spain—and speak to me in French. (Yes, I look French but I’m not.) I realized I’d never fool anyone—ever! What a rude awakening!

Then I tried to figure out who I was. I gave up shortly afterwards. I mean, a girl born in one state, transferred to another at age three, to another at age eleven, back to a different part of my second state at age thirteen, and on to college at seventeen—in a different state, of course! I only knew a slight handful of people at college but fast made lots of friends. My sophomore year started out with meeting a handsome man with a deep voice . . . . “But I digress.” (I got that phrase from my English professor, a supporting pastor today.)

I graduated and married at twenty-one, and life’s adventures really kicked in. Our car blew a rod that first year. We would spend the next three years under cars . . . . My husband got mono, too, so he dropped out of grad school and used the time to recover and study for his ordination, memorizing hundreds of verses. After that, he did two years of graduate studies while I worked. After he got his master’s, we both worked to pay off school debts while searching for God’s will. We knew the Lord wanted us in missions, but we didn’t know where—and the world is a big place! My foreign language background was in French . . . . In God’s humor, He sent us to Spain, where we’d both start off at zero. Who am I? Very funny; I can’t even say “hello.”

Two little children, a new church plant, our fifth house move on the field . . . . Life is interesting, to say the least.

We often talk about third culture kids. (They’re the ones with the passport that says one thing and their life experience says another. They’re the ones who aren’t really understood in their home country and aren’t totally accepted in their life country.)

But, how about us “old” missionaries? We are so third culture, we don’t even know where we belong! Should we retire? Should we not? If we retire, do we move near our kids or stay where we invested our lives? 

When we go back to our home church, a lot of people don’t even know us. (Let’s cut them a break; we’re not there very often.) They look at us like we just landed from Mars. (Maybe we did! Jet lag will do that to you! A little bit green and “take me to your leader” . . . .)

Where do you belong? Where’s home?

Please don’t ask me those questions. I have no idea!

My third culture, mixed-up identity turns to the Bible, where I read: By faith he (Abraham) sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. . . . These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city (Hebrews 11:9-10, 13-15).

What a perspective!

I think it’s especially important for every missionary woman to know:

• That she’s following God in his “land of promise,” even if it’s a super “strange country.”
• That heaven is our future. God prepared it for us.
• We can cling to God’s promises.
• We are “strangers and pilgrims” on the earth, because we believe in Jesus. It’s completely normal to see our ministry as temporary and purposeful.
• God has prepared for us a city where we really belong. Praise Him!

What are some of God’s promises for missionary women?

• For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD (Psalm 27:5-6).
• Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full (John 16:24).
• That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen (Ephesians 3:16-21).
• Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5).
• Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7).

 . . . Of course, there are many more!

So, who am I? I’m a sent one, a pilgrim in a strange country—even if it’s my own—and a messenger of the gospel of peace and Good News. (I can even claim beautiful feet!) Where’s my country? In the heavens, prepared especially for me, walking on crystal streets of gold, enjoying the river view. I look forward to seeing you there, too. God bless your faithfulness!

And how shall they preach, except they be sent?

As it is written, How beautiful are the feet

of them that preach the gospel of peace,

and bring glad tidings of good things!

(Romans 10:15)

Guest post by Sarah LeClercq -Guam

Hospitality

Hospitality is a word that is only used four times in the New Testament. Two times it is referring to a list of qualifications for the bishop and deacon. The other two times is is a command given to Christians.

Rom 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Given to: pursue, press towards

hospitality: entertain strangers

1Pe 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

hospitality: fond of guests

grudging: grumbling, murmuring

As you can see hospitality is not just an idea or a suggestion, it is a command. Imagine my surprise when I learned that you did not have to be in the ministry to practice hospitality or be hospitable.

One of the most hospitable people I know is my mother in law. She has been in the ministry for over 20 years. She would stand in the back of the church after church and invite everybody over to play games. Her kids friends were always welcomed. She opened her home to a cancer patient who needed to to be near a hospital. My husband said that all of his friends wanted to come over to his house because it was so much fun. She is one of the best examples to me in the area of hospitality.

I have had to learn a few lessons in hospitality since being on the field. I loved having friends and family over. Entertaining strangers, that is leaving my comfort zone. Here are a few things I have learned so far:

1. Hospitality is as much an attitude as it is an action.

Being friendly, smiling, talking, laughing is all part of being hospitable. People need to feel welcomed and loved in your homes.

2. Not everything has to be perfect.

In our home I operate under, everything is decent and in order. That is how I try to train my kids and myself. If we have made plans to have company over I will take the time to due deep cleaning. However, for unexpected or last minute I can relax knowing at least everything is decent.

3. Use what God has provided.

God gave us the command to use hospitality and to be hospitable. Some Sundays I have enough to feed our guest dinner. Then there are weeks when I can only make muffins and coffee.

4. Remember this is not my home.

I know, and I believe, that our homes are to be a safety place for our families. However, we need to remember why we are here, who we serve, and where our final home is.

Hospitality is one way God wanted us to show love to the strangers amongst us. Pray that God will send you the people he wants you to minister to and then do it.

Sarah LeClercq, Guam

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Leaving the nest to study in a "foreign land"

I started this blog post a month ago, however, due to my own daughter embarking on her own journey of heading off to college as an MK, our lives came to a stop. We concentrated much on getting her ready for the big changes that were approaching quickly. Going off to college is a big event in any young person's life but as an MK leaving the nest to study in a foreign land which everyone around them would consider to be their "home", it poses an even greater life change.

We praise the Lord that in our situation with our daughter heading off to college, many tears were shed by nationals who dearly loved her and could almost not bear to say goodbye to her. She is missed tremendously, not only by her family, but by those for whom she was burdened and desired to see come to Christ; by her Christian brothers and sisters in Christ who loved her sweet spirit and enjoyed sweet fellowship with her over the years.

Teens who have become friends.

Other MKs, some of whom have known her all their lives.

Children who love and admire her.

And most of all, special "Grandparents" who have been a "ministry" of our daughter's, for years.

Some people who have never had to leave their children so far away from home do not and will not understand what our families experiences as their children grow up and move on to college in their "foreign" homeland. With these posts we hope to shed some light for those who do not realize how much this change affects these families and help those families who are about to embark on this journey by providing personal experiences, sound advice, and helps to make the MK college transition much smoother for both students and families.

As we begin this new theme for weekly posts, we would like to start out by introducing a new idea here on the BMW blog. I asked the BMW ladies some weeks ago to send me a list of their children who were attending colleges throughout the US this fall semester 2016. My goal was to have their names listed together somewhere so we could all more easily pray for them and the parents. Another wish of mine was to be able to ask you, our readers, to "adopt" an MK college student for this fall semester. I am talking, of course, about those readers who live in the United States. One of the favorite things to receive as a college student is mail and care packages. But, being away on a foreign field makes sending care packages to your children a little more challenging. Chocolate chip cookies that have traveled across the Atlantic just don't taste as fresh! Know what I mean?!
This gives you the opportunity to be a blessing to an MK and help support them through the tough transition into college life and moving back to the US.

For privacy's sake, we will not post the names of the students publicly here on this blog. However, if you are interested in "adopting" an MK, please feel free to contact me through Facebook Messenger or by e-mail (danddsterling@juno.com) and I will get you connected with an MK. If you share what state you are in, I might even be able to locate a student who would be within driving distance of you which would make it even easier to be an encouragement to them. I am so excited about these posts and especially this part of seeing our readers be a blessing to our children in our absence. May God bless you richly for your participation!

Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

Ingredients:
Cauliflower florets (you can buy them already cut or buy a whole one and cut it yourself)
Olive oil (enough to lightly coat the cauliflower)
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Other seasonings (optional)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix the cauliflower florets, olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you want to add. Place the florets on a cookie sheet so that none of the pieces of cauliflower are touching each other. Bake for around 25 – 35 minutes until part of the cauliflower florets are a nice golden brown. You can make them as dark or as light as you want them.

http://www.survivingthestores.com/roasted-cauliflower.html

Her Story Quotes by Shari - {When God says "Stay Put"}

What is the most frustrated type of Christian? Some may say it is the one who is backslidden and under conviction from the Holy Spirit? Others may say it is the one who is faithful to church and has a good relationship with the Lord, but is constrained by outside things such as family, debt, or work that keeps them from doing as much as they would like for Him? And still others would say it is the one who is completely surrendered to God to go or do whatever His will may be only to hear Him say, “Stay put.”

I'd say it is the last one, but to be honest, that might just be because the Lord has told me to “stay put” on two major things in my life recently. Actually, I’ve been in all three of these positions more than once over the years, and I think all three come with their own frustrations. They do, however, all have the same simple solution….Let the Saviour be your stay. Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:”

For those who have chosen to spend their lives saying, “Yes, Lord, I’ll go. Send me!!” it can be hard and frustrating when the Lord tells us to “stay put.” Many a missionary has had their bags packed, figuratively and literally, only to have to wait on a visa or paperwork from some government office. It took just over a year to raise my initial support when I first went to Nigeria. I applied for my visa in plenty of time and just knew it would come by the time I was finished with my last meeting. It didn’t. I sent several barrels on ahead of me in a container, finished my last meetings, and packed my bags…but my visa didn’t come. I waited for a month…and then a second month…and my heavenly father reminded me He was in control…and then a third month…and then a fourth…and I began to doubt if I got the Lord’s timing wrong…and my earthly father reminded me of “The birth of a vision, the death of a vision, and the supernatural rebirth of a vision”….and then I waited for a fifth month….and then a sixth…and I began to doubt not only God’s timing, but if I had actually gotten the Lord’s calling on my life wrong…and finally my visa arrived and before I knew it, I was on the plane headed to Nigeria. I don’t remember what all I did during that six months of waiting. I’m sure the Lord used the time to grow my faith and trust in Him. I know I spent time helping in my home church in any way I could with the youth and special events, but only the Lord knows for what reason He asked me to stay put so long after I thought it was time to go.
  
A "Stay Put" directive from the Lord does not have to end in frustration, though. One of the things I have learned from the story of the Demoniac of Gadara is the blessing of staying put even when you want to go. Three of the Gospels tell us of this amazing life-changing story of a wild man filled with a legion of demons whom Jesus restored to sanity, but only Luke gives us the end of the story…the result of obeying the calling of “staying put.” 

The people of the city were frightened when they saw the man, who was completely insane and uncontrollable, sitting clothed and in his right mind. They were frightened when they saw that their herds of pigs had plunged down a ravine and drowned in a lake. On the other hand, the Demoniac from Gadara was not afraid. For the first time in years he was whole. He was clear-headed. He had a purpose for his life…to follow Jesus and serve Him. When the people of the city told Jesus to leave, the healed man asked to go with Him. I know if Jesus had just worked in my life as He had in his, I’d never want to leave His side and would insist on going everywhere He went. But, Jesus told him no. Instead Jesus gave him two clear instructions….Stay put and Speak out.
  
The man obeyed completely. He did not argue. He did not try to reason Jesus into letting him tag along. He simply submitted and obeyed the command to stay and began speaking out about how Jesus had worked in his life. In Luke 8:40 we find the result of his obedience, “…when Jesus returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.” The man of Gadara’s willingness to “stay put” was instrumental in many coming to know Christ as their Saviour. 


Six practical things to do when you want “To Go” but God has said “To Stay.”

1. Stay focused on the Lord. Don’t become disheartened.

The Lord surely has a plan and in time all will be revealed.

2. Stay in a position where God can use you and reward you. Don’t become disillusioned.

When God says, “Stay” it is sometimes tempting to feel like “throwing in the towel” so to speak. Don’t let the devil trick you into self-pity.  Keep your focus on Christ.

3.  Stay listening to God’s leading. Don’t become deaf.

Continue seeking the Lord’s direction through your Bible reading, preaching, and godly counsel. Your “Stay Put” may actually only be a “Wait for a While.”

4. Stay serving. Don’t become distant.

Continue meeting the needs of others that the Lord brings across your path where you are. Practice your Esther 4:14 type of living – “For such a time as this.”

5. Stay doing whatever work you have been doing. Don’t become discouraged. 

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that another work for the Lord is more important than the work you are doing right now where you are. Now is not the time to quit.

6. Stay soul-conscious.  Don’t become disengaged.

The Lord may have someone in your neighborhood, in your family, at your work, etc. that needs you to speak out and tell what great and wondrous things the Lord has done for you.

The call “To Go” gets a lot of attention, and so it should, but sometimes God calls us “To Stay.” 

We must be willing to answer either call.