It's almost been a year since we arrived in Ternopil, ready to start our new lives in a new city. When we first got here, we didn't have friends, we weren't familiar with the city, and we were not sure what our future looked like. It's funny how things can change in a year. The Lord has really grown us and stretched us. He also has provided us above and beyond our needs... physically, spiritually, and He gave us some good friendships. We love this city. But this was just a short season in our lives and we will be starting this same process again in a few weeks in Donetsk. We're excited for what the Lord has for us in Donetsk... seriously really excited! But it is always hard to say goodbye to the city, apartment, and friends that were our life for the past year.
It's not an ordinary life that we have here in Ukraine. It's nothing that I would have anticipated or expected. We have met so many people, and we have built some awesome friendships, and we are so blessed and amazed by how the Lord desires to use us. Some days as a missionary are really busy and crazy, some days are rather slow. Some days the plan for ministry seems successful, other days we feel like failures. Emily and I don't feel rooted anywhere. We've enjoyed our time in Ternopil, but it has never completely felt like home. But for that matter, when we were living the in the States it never completely felt like home either.
The idea I'm trying to express is that our lives are not our own. The Lord does what He pleases to do in our lives. He brings people in and out of our lives. He moves our home often. But He is always faithful to guide our way. Currently, we don't feel like we have roots... or a home (actually we won't have a home by this time next week), but the Lord is showing us more and more each day that He is our roots. We are grounded in Him... and He is sufficient. His grace is enough.
A lyric from one of Jon Foreman's songs keeps popping into my mind as I think about our life the past year:
"This world is where I breathe, let it never be called home."
God has placed eternity in our hearts. Colorado, Ternopil, Donetsk... none of it is our home. Our home is with the Father. What a blessing it is to have that security in Him. It makes this strange missionary life that we have seem amazing. Just think about it for a minute. I have this awesome home waiting for me with the Father... and the Father is using me to invite people to this home. We have the privilege to be used to share with people about His grace, mercy, and security that all can have if they simply call upon His name!
As we begin to prepare to move to Donetsk, and in some ways, start our life over again, God's promise from Ephesians reminds me of how awesome and faithful He really is.
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
Blessings,
Byron
It's not an ordinary life that we have here in Ukraine. It's nothing that I would have anticipated or expected. We have met so many people, and we have built some awesome friendships, and we are so blessed and amazed by how the Lord desires to use us. Some days as a missionary are really busy and crazy, some days are rather slow. Some days the plan for ministry seems successful, other days we feel like failures. Emily and I don't feel rooted anywhere. We've enjoyed our time in Ternopil, but it has never completely felt like home. But for that matter, when we were living the in the States it never completely felt like home either.
The idea I'm trying to express is that our lives are not our own. The Lord does what He pleases to do in our lives. He brings people in and out of our lives. He moves our home often. But He is always faithful to guide our way. Currently, we don't feel like we have roots... or a home (actually we won't have a home by this time next week), but the Lord is showing us more and more each day that He is our roots. We are grounded in Him... and He is sufficient. His grace is enough.
A lyric from one of Jon Foreman's songs keeps popping into my mind as I think about our life the past year:
"This world is where I breathe, let it never be called home."
God has placed eternity in our hearts. Colorado, Ternopil, Donetsk... none of it is our home. Our home is with the Father. What a blessing it is to have that security in Him. It makes this strange missionary life that we have seem amazing. Just think about it for a minute. I have this awesome home waiting for me with the Father... and the Father is using me to invite people to this home. We have the privilege to be used to share with people about His grace, mercy, and security that all can have if they simply call upon His name!
As we begin to prepare to move to Donetsk, and in some ways, start our life over again, God's promise from Ephesians reminds me of how awesome and faithful He really is.
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
Blessings,
Byron
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