A dear friend of ours took this photo a few weeks ago. Pete was preaching in a township nearby (for our US friends, townships here are typically associated with severe poverty, violence and brokenness). I cannot help but both smile and tear up when I look at this picture. What I see is not just my husband, but a picture of how God wants us to live this life here on earth…
in prayer, with our arms wide open to receive from Him what He has for us, whether it’s blessings, guidance, discipline or instructions, holding His word in our hands and close to us so we can hear His voice, and in community with other believers to support, encourage and pray for us.
Pete went to this township to teach and encourage others, but instead we were encouraged by how they received him, prayed for him and their response to the word God spoke through him.
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. – Proverbs 12:25 ESV – https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.12.25.ESV
In times when you get anxious about this life, fully surrender it all to Jesus, keep His good word close to your heart and be intentional to surround yourself with others who are fully surrendered to Him, people who will encourage and pray for you.