In less than a week…
In less than a week I will zip up my case, hop on a plane and land in country full of history and memories, loved ones and lost ones, crowds, traffic and swirling motion, searing sorrow and erupting laughter, vibrant colours, pungent aromas and tumultuous sounds.
A place a I called home for close to 8 years.
It’s been 10 years since I last visited. During that time so much has changed... so much has stayed the same.
Monthly Musings: Bursting Hope
I’m buzzing with anticipation at what is to come, bursting with hope.
Not human-shaped hope, that is more a strong desire or wish, although there is some of that. I hope I won’t dissolve into a puddle in the heat. I hope it is a special time as I introduce one of my best friend’s to this land, these people. I hope our travel arrangements will hold.
But I am also full of Spirit-shaped hope, that weaves expectation and open-handed surrender together as one. I can rest in it, even in the murkiness of unconfirmed plans, because it rests in Jesus and all that life in Him means.
I am longing, hope-filled, for deep reconnections with heart friends, for meaningful time and conversations with those gifted to me in the past and who still stand linked to in the present, for contributions that resonate and encourage. But I can rest in faith about what that will mean because I trust the Spirit’s leadership.
We - friends I’ll see on my return to this nation - are tied together because of Someone bigger than ourselves. Christ died that we could have fullness of relationship with Him. That spills over into rich, profound, long relationship with each other. We belong to each other because we belong to Him. This Spirit-shaped hope for that sacred space where vivid, vibrant, vulnerable relationship lives, is birthed out of the community of the Trinity. I can’t create it. My friends can’t create it. But as the Spirit breathes, life emerges and hearts are tied together. I rest in that. I am filled with bubbling anticipation and bursting hope because Jesus is the origin of hope. He’s at work there in that land as much as He is at work here in this land. As we listen and talk, share and pray, catch up and connect, dream and grieve together, the Spirit visits, drawing us to Himself and to each other.
I can’t wait to see how God is going to reveal Himself in the days and weeks to come.
What about you? What are you anticipating with bursting hope? What are you holding your breath with longing for?
If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it with a friend. Or LIKE it to remind me that you are really out there! 😀 Thanks to everyone who did that last time. It encouraged my heart.
Book News
1 month today! In a month today Shaped by the Spirit will be released into the world. Thank you to all of you who have been a part of this journey. I’m so grateful to you!
I heard from my editor late last week week. She writes,
We have received copies of your book to the office today and it looks gorgeous. It has such a beautiful shine to it. I think you’re going to fall in love! There’s something really special about it.
Oh my goodness! This is getting real. I can’t wait to hold a copy in my hands, but I’ll have to wait. The box of author’s books will almost certainly pass me in the air as I head away next week. But I’m filled with anticipation. Soon…
Thank you to those of you who have pre-ordered, or let me know you are coming to the Book Launch at my church on May 19th. I can’t wait to see you.
We are almost there! Feel free to spread the word about the ‘out in a month’ book Shaped by the Spirit. 🎉🌟🤩🎈
Australia - Word (now the cheapest in Aust.), Koorong or Amazon.com.au UK - SPCK USA - Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Cokesbury or Walmart
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