Pick a path that represents your journey recently.
What has happened on that path?
How did you feel as you walked along that path?
Originally sent out Oct. 18, 2022
There are rhythms in our lives— seasons, journeys. When I work with ladies at these retreats, I’m asking them to reflect on their journeys, and as they look back, they see that God was with them whatever their path looked like. Last week, I was able to lead this path activity for the ladies who were gathered for the Central Area Conference. Thirty-one ladies who work in support for the Central Area and ladies who live in tribal locations in the Central Area (see this video for more of an explanation) enjoyed a lunch together at a restaurant (click here for photos).
In addition to the questions above, I asked them to consider who has been on this journey with them? They were able to share their reflections with one another at their tables. Then I gave them letters from people back in their home countries— their churches or family members, to help them see that they are not alone on this missionary journey. There are people praying for them and cheering them on.
I then shared about bearing one another’s burdens. After the retreat last month (see photos here), one of the ladies shared this article with us about being willing to share our burdens with one another. God has given us brothers and sisters in Christ and by sharing hard things with one another, we can lighten our load without necessarily increasing theirs. This is how we can love one another as God asks us to.
How can you lighten the load for someone as they journey in this life, or how can you give someone the opportunity to love you well by sharing your burden with them?
God has given us each other. It’s not only missionaries who need the help.
My time at the Central Area Conference was a blessing and also a challenge. Hearing each of the teams give updates reminded me that this is a battle we’re fighting here, for the souls of the lost and unreached people of Papua New Guinea— a battle that is not against flesh and blood.
I was also challenged by the message from John 15-17, about abiding in Christ and being guided by the Holy Spirit. I’m such a planner and task-oriented person. What does it look like to be more open in each day to what God might have for me, instead of my own plan?
I don’t know the answer, but please pray with me that I could grow in my ability to trust the Lord with my day and be open to the ways He may want to interrupt it.
