I am on a plane on the way to Tokyo and whatever God has for me  and for our family. According to the information on the screen, we are traveling at a speed of 531 mph and should arrive in 7 hours and 21 minutes. A few months ago, I felt God’s leading to go to Japan and to visit the city my family comes from, Niigata. God graciously supplied the provisions for us to God. I am so very grateful and thankful to God!

At the airport, while waiting to board our plane, I got a call from a very good friend. He had a very good word for me. I have been saying how I need to really press in to God which I need to. But he shared a perspective I had not thought about yet was very enlightening to me. Pressing in to God gave him the feeling of working hard to find God, like somehow He was playing hide and seek. His thought was perhaps seeing how God is there and wants to be found might be another way of looking at my pursuit. By pressing in to God, he felt that it was work and that I was becoming weary. By trusting that He was there with me and longed to connect with me might ease my sense of striving. And you know what? He was absolutely right. My loving Father spoke through this brother to teach me something very important. Important for this trip, important for some burdens that weigh heavy on my heart, and for this sabbatical. 

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Ps. 46:10                    

I also got an email from another very good friend with more great words from God to me. Words along the very same lines as the ones from my other friend. He saw us gather and pray as a family in the morning then sharing what God laid on our hearts. Decisions were made by the whole family, thoughts and words freely expressed. Again, what a great word for me and our family.

“Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” Prov. 27:9         

I am looking forward to learning to rest in God, trusting Him to lead us and seeing where He leads. So exciting!

Thomas Aquinas said, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” I concur. 

Thank you Father for great friends and for speaking your words of truth through them to me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Another step!