When Moses stood before the great Egyptian ruler Pharaoh, he spoke a message directly from the mouth of God; “Let my people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness.” (Exodus 8:16) God’s people the Israelites had spent many years enslaved by Pharaoh, who “made their lives bitter with hard labour”. It was time for deliverance. God had not overlooked their bondage, but had “seen the oppression of His people, and heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for He knew their sorrows.” God is a God of rescue, release, redemption, salvation. But notice He is not just concerned about getting them out of there, but about what they will do once they are free. He first promises that He will “take you (the Israelites) as My people, and I will be your God”, and that He will “bring you into a good and large land”. He promises to look after them as His own children, and to give them an inheritance. This in itself is wonderful, and the cause for much rejoicing. But there is even more- God wanted to rescue them for a purpose “that they may serve me”. Far from sounding enslaving, this also wonderful news. Life has meaning, has value, has direction.
These words have stuck with me as I finish up the last few weeks of the “summer of service” program here at the college in Vajta, Hungary. I’ve been thinking about what God has shown me in this time and I simply conclude that it is the truth of Jesus’ statement, quoted for us by Paul in Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give, than to receive”. If the word ‘blessed’ means ‘how happy are they” then I can only praise God that His purpose was to save me that I may serve Him, by serving others.
This was highlighted to me by a quote I read in a book, the biography of a 19th century pioneer missionary named Lilias Trotter. She says “For the blessedness of receiving is not all God has for us: a new world lies beyond- a world of giving: a giving first to God in surrender, and then to man in sacrifice. ‘Ask and it shall be given unto You’ is one of God’s nursery lessons to His children. ‘Give, and it shall be given unto you’ comes further on.”
It astounds me how amazingly God writes the plans and directions for our lives, tailoring them to our individual characteristics and gifts. He does know us, and He does love us. I am so glad I have given my life to Him. There will never be another decision in my life that could even come close in importance or significance as to the one to surrender to God.
I have thoroughly enjoyed every part of the summer time here. Some things I look back on and think- how did I survive that? Making 60 cheesecakes in 5 days, in between serving coffee and doing mountains of dishes, is now the memory of one incredible week. God gave strength in the midst of it, as if my very energy was coming from every slice of the hallowed dessert I handed across the counter. The comradery and fellowship amongst the team here has been so enjoyable. As we eat, live, work and relax alongside each other, God has knitted us together as a family. Thus the goodbyes, which are becoming more frequent as the summer winds up and people go home (wherever that may be in the world, whether the US or Brazil, or Croatia or somewhere else) are the only thing to taint the experience! But I’ve learnt never to assume a goodbye is final, you just never know when God may reunite you with someone from the past. And there’s the wonderful world of internet communication...
Right now I am in a total transition period. I should first tell you that God has opened the door and blessed my desire to complete the program with my second semester here. This means another four months in Hungary! To think at the beginning of the summer I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to be here for the Fall semester, or how the finances would work out- and now to be preparing with excitement and anticipation for this new season- how my heart is praising Him! He provided. Firstly the direction, affirming His plan, and secondly tuition- miraculously, abundantly. And not only for me, my very good friend Laura was unsure if she could continue her studies right up until the day she was due to fly out! So I’ve seen God answer prayer and show his control over everything.
So the transition begins....the Cap Bar closed down this week and all our friendly appliances are bidded a sad farewell. I will miss our menopausal icecream machine Helga, and Beka the emotional expresso machine, and my beloved oven (who I think we named Chris). Instead this week I have been moved (I was going to use the word banished, but im trying to be more positive than that) to the upstairs Coffee Shop. The appliances are yet to be named, but considering it is more than likely that the rest of the Cap Bar team will soon be joining me, working there during the next semester, I am sure that more joyous times are ahead and I will have new appliance friends to tell you about in the next blog.
Now after moving into my new dorm room a couple days ago, it is just waiting for the other beds to be filled when the new and returning students arrive on the 3rd and 4th of next month. I have been given the responsibility of dorm steward, meaning I get to be mum- please pray I can institute unity and be loving and encouraging and also firm when it comes to keeping curfew hours. =) I am definitely looking forward to being the one who can welcome people, give the right information, show people around- an entirely different scenario from me arriving jetlagged from the other side of the world, not knowing where on earth I had landed or what I had gotten myself into last January. Exciting times ahead.
Please also pray that my heart would be prepared for whatever God wants to show me or do in me this semester. Pray I can walk in what He did in me last semester, and that He would firmly establish each step and the direction for me to go next year, guiding each decision and granting peace.
Love you all and wish that God would pour out His Spirit upon you, that you would live for Him to be glorified.
Jemma
