Trust, Hope, Rest

"Your heart is given a rhythm only for Him.
You are given breath, only for Him.
He's not simply to have your best... he's to have it ALL.
We can light so many fires. We can do so many things in all our activity. But is God in it? IS it for Him? Is it a heart burning for Him? "
-Paul Washer

Prayer Requests...

I leave in one week for South Korea. Please keep these things in your prayers for me:

- To focus on Christ. I want the work I do in South Korea to be worth the time and money this school is putting forth for me to be their teacher. I am so glad it's a Christian school that I get to work in... and I want this work to be for Him.

"Incline my heart toward your testimonies, and not to selfish gain." Psalm 119:36

- That I would love the Koreans... of course I hope that I adjust well in the new culture and setting...but even more than that, I desire to love the people that God will put me in touch with.

This prayer request was pressed on me by something I read recently that a man wrote to his lady-friend who was joining his ministry in China... "Did you come to China because you loved the Chinese or because you were sure this was God's will for you? I know your answer- you came because you knew it was His will. Knowing this, you are confident that He will give you His love for the Chinese."

That echoes my desire.

- Last, but not least... that I would rest in God (my lesson for the summer). I am beginning to think that the word "rest" is somewhat interchangeable with "hope" and "trust." All three of these words entail focus on God...believing that He will carry out what He has promised his children, through Christ. I believe this is what Philippians 4 is referring to...as the "peace which surpasses all understanding and guards your hearts and mind in Christ" ...this restful focus on Him and His ways...even when they don't jive with your own. I'm sure there will be many times when my expectations aren't met (afterall, it's a new culture) ...but I hope that I am able to give over any anxieties and expectations to God...and rest in Christ.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests by known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7