Sojourner
First read Acts 17:22-31
"Safe Journey!"
This is a phrase what you will hear most often as you’re leaving from a place in Uganda. You'll even see it on signs from businesses wishing you a safe journey as you leave a city or town.
Sojourners are people who live in a place temporarily, moving from place to place until finding a place to rest and settle. Sojourners are also reliant on the kindness of others to help provide for their needs as they travel and move around.
After living in Uganda this summer, you can see areas where you have been changed and stretched, allowing more people to fit in your heart. Hearts are stretchy; there’s always room for more.
Paul was a sojourner. His travels allowed him to meet thousands of people. He loved all of them. Most of them, he had to love from afar. He couldn’t be with them all the time. In fact, he couldn’t be with them at all when he was in prison. Since he couldn’t be with them in person, he did the next best thing by sending other disciples he mentored to deliver messages to the people. He spent much time writing and dictating letters to them and he was always praying for them.
In Acts 17, Paul informed that people of Athens that God determined the times and places each person should live, so that each person might seek God, reach out, and find Him. You have been apart of God reaching out to others this summer in order that they might seek Him, reach back out, and find Him.
In contrast to a sojourner, Africa has a lovely way of taking up residence in your heart.
As we discussed in week 3, there is One constant in our life. You’ve probably gotten attached to some of the people here. Now you won’t see them daily and must love them from afar. It can feel disconnecting. Trust that Jesus, who is their constant, to care for those you love from afar.
You may feel a little guilty returning to your normal life routine as you settle back in your home. Don’t. God has placed you where you are so that you will seek and find Him, along with leading others to seek and find Him, just as you did this summer.
You may feel tired from pouring out all summer. Take time to rest. Don’t push yourself to jump back in your regular routine. Give your brain and heart a rest from constantly giving to others. If we don’t take a break, we will break; which is exactly what the enemy wants. Allow God to pour back into you through others, His word, and maybe just from a few easy, relaxing days.
We are so thankful for the work, support, and friendship you have given over the past weeks. You have made a difference. May all the blessings return to you, 100 fold.
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Question: What actions will you take to allow your heart, mind, and soul to rest and be renewed the next few weeks after pouring out all summer?
Prayer Guide: Use the Weekly Celebrations guide as a way to journal through prayer and praise, reflecting on a summer well done.
Challenge this week: How can you love others well from afar?
Songs for the week: Counting My Blessings by Seph Schlueter
Goodness of God by Jenn Johnson
Book Suggestions: "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry"
AND
both by John Mark Comer
Quote by Ann Voskamp:
"I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing....Through all that haste I thought I was making up time. It turns out I was throwing it away."
from her book, "One Thousand Gifts: a dare to live fully right where you are"
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