a prayer for this journey

We have a busy week behind us and a busy week ahead...we're sure you can relate! On top of daily work and ministry, this week Stacey is preaching in chapel, Matt is teaching a two week course in the Psalms for our fourth year class and our Director and Academic Dean are both coming back.

This past weekend, however, we were convicted by something a dear missionary friend said to us. Just in the midst of a conversation, he mentioned that from 5 until 6 am every single morning, he spends time with the Lord...reading His Bible, praying, listening. He called this time "non-negotiable", and for years he has spent this hour of the day with God, No Matter What. Good things, Important things, he has passed over for the sake of this time, and he told us that it is this consistent commitment that he has with the Lord that has offered a rock of stability in his crazy life here in Haiti.

So often, Matt and I find ourselves longing for consistency. There is always so much happening, so many unplanned-for emergencies, upset schedules and unexpected knocks at the door. Do to these constant interruptions and the ever-changing busyness in our days, our devotional times are haphazard...15 minutes of Bible reading here, a prayer thrown in there, singing praises while we do the dishes.

We pray for the Lord to be the constant in our lives, and to give us level and deep walks with Him, even if it means plowing down our mountain-top moments in order to fill in our dry valleys.

However, we haven't been constant at all with Him! How can He settle our craziness, calm our scurrying and shower us with peace if we simply won't sit still for it!? What a convicting reminder that while the Lord is always faithful and always there, we cannot expect to receive from our walk with Christ what we won't put into it.

We've been working this weekend to permanently carve out some time, set some guidelines and change some appointments in order to allow Him to put His schedule into our lives. To allow His schedule for us to BECOME our lives.

Praise the Lord that His mercies are new every morning, and for His Matchless Grace!


"O Christ, do not give me tasks equal to my powers,
but give me powers equal to my tasks
for I want to be stretched by things too great for me.
I want to grow through the greatness of my tasks,
but I shall need your help for the growing."
E. Stanley Jones