Food for Thought

"It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world’s perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense."

-Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, March 4th

So well said. And that's where the Soboll's are at; wrestling with what we feel our call from God is and where we are at in our current circumstances. Life, work, kid(s), church, small groups, friends, errands, bills, dinner, changing the oil, fixing the ----- in the house.... So many things that we do need to do, but somehow, despite their fulfillment, still leave us like we just haven't quite "gotten there"... That nagging sense that there's something more we' should be doing. Perhaps a common thread in all of our lives? Or maybe just a Soboll anomaly!

In these times, I'm always brought back to a trusty teaching a friend shared with me once, a long time ago: If you're having trouble hearing from God and/or just aren't sure what you are supposed to be doing, go back to the last thing you heard from him, that he told you to do and be obedient in that. However big or small it may be. Like moving to a remote North African town or seeking him diligently every day or praying for so-and-so... I'm fully aware of this, but somehow lose sight of it in the daily grind. As it says in Samuel, to obey is better than sacrifice. And like the famous S. Korean Pastor David Yonggi Cho said, when asked how he leads a congregation of over a million people, "I pray and obey".

Even right now, as I'm typing, thinking, processing, meditating, praying, there are distractions, pulling my focus away... For one- my adorable, not-so-little bundle of 30lb joy, Benjamin, is hanging on my legs, whining for attention, craving time with mommy... So, um, maybe these times of prayer and seeking, hearing from God what to be obedient in, can be VERY short!

"Our ordinary and reasonable service to God may actually compete against our total surrender to Him." - Oswald Chambers

Anyway- onto other news: Eddy is waiting to hear back on whether he received an entry visa into Sudan, for his trip coming up in a few weeks. He is also working part-time, with a wheel renovation company and coaching 2 soccer club teams. I too will be working part-time with a clinic here in the cities. And Benjamin, well, he'll continue to be the cute little chubby-cheeked guy he is, clingy and all!