Hello! My team and I are wrapping up our FIRST MONTH of ministry in South Africa! Wow! This last week was filled with so much fun, starting at an African Church where we were filled with so much love and joy! As soon as church ended (almost 3 hours after it started) we headed off for a Safari!
Here’s a glimpse into that day from my perspective…
Going into the World Race I could give you a whole list of things I was (and still am) looking forward to inside and outside of ministry. One of those things is seeing the African animals in real life! We spent last weekend with elephants and on this day got to see all the Lions, Giraffes, Cheetahs, and African Dogs! We had an amazing tour guide that told us a little story about these cute lions we were watching….
“Meal after meal she would steal his food, every single meal until he was losing not only weight but hair. Day after day she would test him. Any time he tried to make a move on her, she would attack. Now he has the scars to prove it. She stood firm in what she believed, she would not give him what he desired until she knew for a fact he could not only protect himself but also protect what he wanted. This went on for years. The keepers would have to feed him separately at times. Until one day, he fought back. She came to take his food, but he smacked her so hard she rolled across the road. Once she got a hold of herself, she got up, got something else to eat, and went about her day. She never tested him again. Months later, she gave birth to their first set of cubs. The lioness was not going to give the lion a litter like he wanted until she knew he could protect them and himself.”
After hearing this story my squadmates and I just looked at each other because just hours before during church the pastor said, “The Lord will not use you until He tests you.” Then we go on an African Safari and hear this! God clearly needed us to hear this. During this week when I was spending time in the Word, I was reflecting on what this quote means to me. Sooo I felt compelled to leave my thoughts in here:)
Many times in the past 22years of my life I have been tested and tried. Typically when I was walking through those harder moments I could not see the “light” or I would question God on why He was allowing me to feel the pain I did not think I could handle. I couldn’t find the purpose behind the hurt. I would wonder “how the heck will I be me again? Will I ever feel the joy I once had? How is true healing going to be possible, because forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting the memories or heartache?” However, it is in our human nature to doubt our circumstances. We overanalyze which leads to self-doubt which overall leads to doubting God’s plan for us.
Deuteronomy 8:2
You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
I have been wounded by those I turned to in my life because yes, I have put my trust in humans instead of God at times. Every time I have turned to human comfort over prayers I end up feeling filled for just a short amount of time, because only God can fill those empty, hurting spaces long term.
Looking back to those moments I felt the weakest, I know one thing to be true- God has AWLAYS been and ALWAYS will be in the midst of my worst and best moments. There will always be times in life where everything doesn’t go as planned and rough patches occur, but that’s when God is sharpening my armor and teaching me those tough lessons so I can come out on the other side with an even deeper love for Him.
Psalm 66:10
For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
I am learning that questioning God isn’t always a bad thing, but being blinded by my wants can be because God does answer our prayers, just not always in the way we expect. My one leader said the other night that we need to thank God for all those unanswered prayers and challenging moments in our lives, because if He would have answered them all or didn’t put us through trials, we wouldn’t be in this place (SOUTH AFRICA) or be the people we are today:)
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus
Ohhhh how I wish I could go back and tell 15-year-old Brenna to press into God during times of trials and not push away. I would also show younger me these pictures and let her know that so much GROWTH can transpire from hard times.
Remember- God cannot use anyone greatly until He tests them deeply. Look to God in ALL moments of life, it’s sooo worth it:)
A week from now I will be in Lesotho!! Time is flying!! Please be praying for my team and I as we head into the weekend and as we travel. Please be praying for the people of South Africa, that those we have encountered will continue to seek God and those who’ve we planted a seed will grow in their faith.
Blessings,
Brenna:)
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 26:4
Trust in Lord forever, for the Lord himself, is the Rock internal.
Such true insight and wisdom being spoken! Keep growing in your knowledge and faith.
This story is so crazy! I am honestly at a loss of words. The tests and trials were all to see how much he could handle to overcome and finally be used for an extremely important task at hand. Like you said, God does the same with us. And like you said, I too have not put my trust in God, but in others and been disappointed. It’s really easy to do, but again, you do always fall short and feel empty. If we put our trust into God and lean on Him all things will fall into place according to His plan. It’s not easy and the trials He sends us through (before we are finally used in His Heavenly light to spread His name) are TOUGH. I’d like to believe it’s that way because we get to be a messenger for the King of Kings… how cool is that? I’m so glad you got to see African safari animals and check off a HUGE bucket list item while spreading His name!