I sit on the porch of a big, white house and when I look through the windows, it is unfurnished and collecting dust. As I look out over the expanse of the land, it almost seems like too much to harvest and care for by myself. It needs new fences, because the old ones are not doing their job anymore- they weren't properly built and the gate is nearly falling off. As I sit, I look at the chair next to me; at the moment, all that sits in this chair is a box filled with hopes, dreams, fears, insecurities and questions. Half of me is frustrated and wondering if this is all it will ever be and if I will always be "by myself" and the only company being this box full of "stuff" that I am carrying around with me. The other half of me is hopeful and curious about all that lies ahead and eager to hand off this box to someone stronger than me, someone who can hold onto all the hopes and dreams and get rid of all the fears and insecurities, someone who can maybe answer a couple of those questions when the time is right and help me learn to trust and even rest! So here I sit in this chair, staring at this box. And then I hear a door open and right out of the empty house comes The One. Never empty handed, He walks towards me with a tray- two cups of coffee and my new favorite snack, RUSKS. He sets them down on the small table in between two chairs and gently asks if He can pick up the box next to me; it was in the way of Him being able to sit down. I nodded my head eagerly and felt my shoulders drop- I felt at ease, comfortable, and secure. I knew immediately that I was safe with Him sitting next to me and that giving Him this box made more room for Him to be The One sitting there. Finally, He turned, looked right at me, and spoke: "This house does not need to collect dust and remain empty, waiting for someone or something to come and fill it. Let me paint your walls and help you fill your rooms, for this is the house I have chosen to make my home in." I looked up and the walls were painted with color, pictures hanging on every side, no empty rooms but each one furnished with couches and chairs and tables and dishes and beds! I look the other way and I see a brand new, white picket fence with a little gate in the middle. It's inviting and open, but also protected and secure; I know that the Gatekeeper is watching out for me, deciding what goes out and also what comes in.
So the two of us sit, drinking our morning coffee and excitedly talk about life. We talk about the harvest that is coming, what to add onto the house and what needs mending. I know that I am not alone, that I don't have to wait around for someone or something to come along to fill the spaces, because that is what He does. He is the Faithful Companion that fills the space in the chair next to me, He is my adventure buddy, He is the Builder, He is the Gatekeeper, He is The One that furnished my house and made it a home. He mends what is broken, organizes the clutter, and puts everything in its place. He has made His home with me and I have made my home in Him.
This is what life with Jesus looks and feels like. Life spent with Him is a dream that is reality- one never-ending conversation over a morning cup of coffee. This past month spent in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda was a month of seeing God more and more as my Companion- The One I can count on, The One who gives my life purpose, and The One I put my hope in. Each country showed me more of God's character and inspired me to live differently.
Kenya was filled with A LOT of rain, campfires, and conversations. Maasai Mara and the people that call it home filled my heart with how extravagantly God loves us and challenged me to look to Him before all else. It reminded me that He is the Faithful One- my companion, my great love, and the fullfiller of all things.
Uganda inspired me to love from the deepest parts of my heart. Our incredible host and his family reminded me that pouring out the WHOLE CUP is always worth it and that where we cannot, God always CAN. I am eager and excited to go to the ends of the earth in the name of LOVE! Jesus went after the one and so will I.
Rwanda showed me what a heart of gratitude and a life of intentionality looks like. Even in the short time that we were there, I am confident that I will never be the same. Rwanda is a country full of hope and marked by God's promise. I am astounded by how God is moving in this country; a nation once left in destruction and death, now filled with more hope and new life than I have ever seen!
I look forward to a year full of conversations and cups of coffee with my King, my Friend, my Jesus. I am moved to kneel before Him again and again and say thank you- I can't thank Him enough, so I will just thank Him all day. What a privilege! Thank you Lord for Africa.