Sunday, May 30, 2010
Today was a true Sabbath. All I did today was worship the Lord, spend time with Him, and rest. I want all Sundays to be like this. I slept for 10 hours last night (told you I was tired) and woke this morning rested and ready for the day. The UNA students attended church at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church in Destin. It is a tiny little church; the sanctuary probably holds only 50 people but that is what’s so great about it. The pastor and his wife are incredible. They are so filled with the Spirit that they overflow into anyone and everyone around them. We had time to greet people around us and I met people that I will be seeing weekly at the church. The 4 people sitting in front of us were vacationers down here for Memorial Day weekend. I was so encouraged to see people at church when they are on vacation; that doesn’t happen a lot. I know that as a kid, we didn’t go to church when were on vacation. To me now, church is a vacation. It is an escape to spend time with the Lord out away from the rest of the world. I also talked to a man after church that lives in Big Cove and works in Huntsville. Then we talked to a guy that went to UNA and was involved in ATO and CO. He was on vacation with his wife. It was neat sharing with the vacationers about SBP; I think they were encouraged by it. They were so wonderful and offered to pray for us. A few older ladies encouraged me to share the good news so here it is: THERE IS NO OIL IN DESTIN! They want to see more people down here during the tourist season as much as I do.
The sermon was an introduction to the book of Ruth. As he was reading the first chapter, I was relating myself to Ruth. I’ve studied the book a few times and always admired Ruth for going with her mother-in-law Naomi into a new land with new people, a new culture, and a new God. I thought of myself as Ruth this morning, thinking about how coming down to Beach Project is scary but I am willing to follow Jesus everywhere. There are new people here, a different culture, and I’m going to learn so much more about God than I ever imagined. But then, Jim started talking about how the book of Ruth is really about Naomi. I kind of cocked my head at him when he said that, wondering how he thought so. However, as he continued, I began to understand what he meant. Naomi was a victim of famine, her husband died, her two sons married outside of the Jewish faith and then died. She had nothing. So many of us have lives like Naomi filled with bitterness, brokenness, and doubt. Jim talked about that God does not waste the suffering of His children; He works through these situations. God is at work in our ordinary, daily lives. This is called providence which is a fancy word that means that all that happens to us is divinely planned; each event is an opportunity to trust, obey, rejoice, and know everything is for God’s glory. He also pointed out that the book of Ruth points out that we need a Redeemer. I really enjoyed church; I was so engaged and can’t wait to share the experience with the disciples next week.
After church, I went with Michael Cody (UNA CO staff) and his fiancé Megan, Phillip, and Kathryn to McAllister’s for lunch. There was only one girl taking orders and the line was out of the door they whole hour we were there. It took a long time for our food. So, needless to say, I asked for applications on our way out. I’m praying that the Lord can provide jobs for at least a few of my girls there this summer. They look like they really need help. Also, it is mostly young people there so it would be a great ministering opportunity. Lunch was great. We just shared more of our thoughts on Beach Project and how the Lord was already working here.
After lunch, we hit the beach! It was a beautiful day today (after the storms passed through). The water was really seaweed-y so I didn’t go in very far. Standing on the beach though and looking at the murky water made me think about sin. Sin can engulf your life like that if you don’t repent before the Lord. It can consume your life so much that no one can be around you, just like I didn’t want to swim in the ocean. Also, it may start as only a little bit of seaweed and you think it won't bother you. Then the storms bring in much more, just like sin splatters. Even one of the staff guy’s kids said “I’m swimming in pea soup!” It was interesting to see that he was jumping around and enjoying it like we all enjoy sin. But eventually he would get tired and get out of the water to find rest. We can find rest in the Lord from our sin.
Tonight we had another meeting. We talked about thinking for our disciples and dealing with conflict. I will write more about that later.
Please continue praying for unity and loving hearts among everyone at Beach Project.
Stay tuned and find rest in God.
In Christ,
Christine ><>