Each day of our journey, I’m looking for God to reveal Himself. I’ve seen Him in the kindness of a stranger who bridged the language gap at a crucial moment, setting us on the right path; in the mama so lovingly and patiently engaging an irritable and irrational toddler; in the elderly man lacking three fingers on one hand (lacking English, too) yet he lent that hand to me, a foreigner, without hesitation or shame.
Each of these reflect the image of their Creator. His fingerprints are everywhere! On Wednesday, near the end of our flight, my God-shot came on the sunrise.^
I’d caught a hint of the new day in the murky dark of pre-dawn, above cloud cover, a thin red stripe. 1:30 AM home-time. Ugh. Every bone in my body felt the aching weariness of a short sleep and unforgiving seat. Already the day ahead seemed a struggle. <Sigh>
As we descended and the clouds gave way, however, the horizon blazed into glory. Within moments, from night to day: Portugal and The Way — literally, our way — revealed alongside the sparkling sea. As that slim bright stripe expanded into the fullness of daylight, I was reminded: there is so much more unseen than seen.
Always more unseen! On this, quantum physics and the Apostle Paul agree.
So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye.The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (MSG)
The promise in the unseen for more and better encourages me around the next bend. Suffering hard times, hurting, afflicted or overwhelmed, we don’t give up! We press into God’s strength, perfected in our weakness. We plead His mercies, new every morning. We receive His grace, sufficient for the day. We press on.*
The next day, we trek-trained along the Douro River, trailing a lady wearing a slogan, “Stronger than yesterday.” Love this mindset! Indeed, this is why we train at the pace of grace.
It’s not enough to be strong in my own strength alone, eh? If it’s all on me — to know enough, have strength enough, or be tough enough? Forget about it! I know The Way is more than I can handle. I trust the Waymaker.
I have my fair share of apprehension, especially when my back starts yacking. But this I know: the plan is the plan, today or tomorrow, for me or for you. We can be fearless because He is faithful.
Hold hope. Keep faith. Walk your walk.
~ Sincerely, Sondra
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^ Credit Tara-Leigh Cobble and the Bible Recap for the term God-shot.
* Hebrews 11:1; Psalm 27:13; Philippians 3:4-16; Lamentations 3:22-23; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.
