I've grown closer to more people in this program within the past week than I have in the entire month beforehand. Which is ironic, because there is only about a week left of orientation, after which we will all separate and go to our respective cities all over Korea. And as Departure Day - D-Day - comes mercilessly closer and closer, I find myself asking God more and more frequently for peace.
I never dreamed that I would meet and befriend people like the ones that I have. They are incredible. They lift me up, encourage me, chastise me when needed, and love me unconditionally. And right when we've started really getting to know each other, we're about to leave each other. It's a very difficult pill to swallow. Although we haven't known each other very long, they already mean so much to me, and the thought of leaving them fills me with sadness.
But God keeps reminding me that this is not the end of our friendships. Sure, it will be harder to stay in touch than it is now, and I will not be able to see them every day, but distance does not automatically equate with severed relationships.
And God sent me who I needed when I needed them here at orientation; He can do it again at my school. He will always send what you need when you need it. There is no reason to assume that His mercies will stop. So if you are worried about the future, stop....take a deep breath...and call on Jehovah Shalom, the God of Peace, to calm your heart and rejuvenate your mind.
20 The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. 21 Then the angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the LORD disappeared. 22 When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”
23 But the LORD said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”
24 So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
I never dreamed that I would meet and befriend people like the ones that I have. They are incredible. They lift me up, encourage me, chastise me when needed, and love me unconditionally. And right when we've started really getting to know each other, we're about to leave each other. It's a very difficult pill to swallow. Although we haven't known each other very long, they already mean so much to me, and the thought of leaving them fills me with sadness.
But God keeps reminding me that this is not the end of our friendships. Sure, it will be harder to stay in touch than it is now, and I will not be able to see them every day, but distance does not automatically equate with severed relationships.
And God sent me who I needed when I needed them here at orientation; He can do it again at my school. He will always send what you need when you need it. There is no reason to assume that His mercies will stop. So if you are worried about the future, stop....take a deep breath...and call on Jehovah Shalom, the God of Peace, to calm your heart and rejuvenate your mind.
Judges 6:19-24
19 Gideon went inside, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak. 20 The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. 21 Then the angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the LORD disappeared. 22 When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”
23 But the LORD said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”
24 So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
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