God of detail

Being part of a Global Challenge team on the road is such a different experience when you are just visiting than being one of the actual team members.  I have to start from scratch to get to know the guys when they are well aware of eachother’s virtues and vices.  They are a bit tired and in need of some rest and I come to them with a tremendous amount of excitement and energy.  They are familiar with noodles and oats every day and I am not anymore… for obvious reasons.  A challenge indeed.

My focus is on the team and its needs and growth.  I, however, also arrived with personal expectations for my own life.  I have found though that I struggle to see what God is trying to teach me in this period as my focus is so much on the team.  I was getting a bit worried, but true to His character, God was faithful.

We are currently residing on an exotic island named Tioman, just off the east coast of Malaysia.  It is the complete package with white beaches, turquoise waters, lush, green vegetation and very mountainous terrain.  It feels like a scene from the movie ‘Cast Away’, with some of the team members resembling Tom Hanks with their long hair and beards.

Today we went on a ‘round the island trip’ where we visited some breath taking sites.  At one of our stops, we snorkelled out in the open sea and being an ocean lover, this was the highlight of my day.  I was cruising above all kinds of marine life and it was beautiful.  As I started to descend down to the coral reef and took a closer look at the colourful coral creatures, the urchins, anemones, all the different kinds of fish, shellfish and sea turtles, I was reminded of the detail of God’s creation.  I saw so many bright, tropical colours, different shapes and sizes of creatures, each having its own purpose in this great, vast ocean.

I was once again amazed at what a creative God we serve, but also that each and every creation is made with a very specific purpose and plan.  This encouraged me on a personal level, knowing that God has only my best interest at heart and that He is a God of detail and that He would match up my calling and the heart He has given me.

This also encouraged me with my work in the team.  Having travelled together for 6 months, there are a few areas of reconciliation to sort out as well as areas of growth that needs to be addressed in the team.  I can thus take heart that God will restore all areas of brokenness that pops up in the team with love and detail because He wants us to live out our purpose as best we can.  Each of us is loved and wanted and has a very specific role to play in the body of Christ.

This is why we should humble ourselves before God and let Him have free reign in our lives.  He sees the greater picture and He knows the small details that make your heart come alive.  Give Him that free reign in your life and experience the detailed nature of our loving God.