April 11, 2012

April 11, 2012

This morning we went for a walk to the arbolito. It is a tree that is living in the ocean and we were told that there are only 4 like it in the world. It is rooted in some rocks that are under water at high tide and out of the water at low. Actually some around here call it the “Jesus Tree”. Evidently during Semana Santa, people come from all over to see the tree and have made it into an icon. But what mostly happens is people camp around the area and get drunk. When we had been told that I thought, that is exactly what happens with idolatry, it is turned into an orgy and has nothing to do with God.

As I was walking down the path wondering what we would see at the end I thought about how I would view the tree. I knew I was not making a pilgrimage to a holy spot, to come and say some special prayers in hopes that God would answer me because of where I was. I was going to see a tree that was completely out of what would have been its natural environment. This tree was meant to grow at the edge of the ocean, like in a mangrove swamp, not out away from the shore.

It struck me; God is to be glorified here. He can make anything grow anywhere He wants it to. And that does not just apply to trees. He can take you or me and put us into a situation that is completely foreign to us; and in that place He can cause us to thrive. Why? Because He is our source; He is the One that nourishes us and protects us from the elements. It is in Him, that I live and breathe and have my being. As long as I am planted where He wants me, I will continue to grow and mature and glorify His name. The trouble only comes when I decide I do not like where God has planted me; when I am not content with His plan for my life and try to plant myself someplace I think I would like better.

In this way I need to be like arbolito and flourish where I have been planted. What does arbolito do? It does tree things. It sends its roots down, it spreads its branches and it has leaves. It is a tree! It offers a perch for the birds, the insects crawl on it, and weary walkers can take a moment and enjoy its shade. And most importantly it glorifies God by being what He has called it to be, nothing more and certainly nothing less.

Some of us may be called to be planted by ourselves like arbolito, but mostly we are called to be planted in the midst of others. Whichever God has called you to do, make sure that you are where He has planted you and that you are doing those things He has called you to do in that place. True joy can only come when we are fulfilling our true purpose and not trying to live someplace else.

April 8, 2012

April 8, 2012

For the first time since being here in Costa Rica, I have felt sad to be here. It started yesterday, the 7th, because it was Joshua and Nathan’s birthday. It has always been a joy to be with my boys on their birthday to celebrate and joke around and of course eat some yummy food. Well this year, instead, we had to joke via Skype. And although I thoroughly enjoyed being able to talk to them, it made me realize how much I am missing my family.

And today is Easter, and I am missing seeing the grandkids dressed up and going to church with me. Spending time with family and extended family; enjoying the day while the kids hunt and re-hunt for eggs; and of course, more yummy food.

I had already been feeling excited about the soon return to the U.S., but now the time is almost not going fast enough. I know that by the end of the week I will say, ‘where did that week go?’ So I need to get back in tune to where I am and why I am here, instead of dwelling on what is not yet. I know that God is not finished with what He brought us here to learn.

I am looking forward to next weekend as we spend time in San Jose learning about an outreach that is based from there. We met their founder a few weeks ago at a local church and he invited us to come see what they are doing to reach out to the youth and the sick in this country as well as others. They call themselves Conexion and can be found on the web at www.extreme-service.com

I do know that if we are ever to return here that I am going to have to learn more Spanish. We have met so many wonderful people and it would be such a pleasure to be able to sit down and really carry on a conversation with them. Maybe that will be my next project along with finishing the second Bible Study that I have recently started.

April 5, 2012

April 5, 2012

Spiritual insights learned in Costa Rica

• God cleans house starting in His house
• We are to be a living example of God’s word, He is wanting to write His words on our heart
• We can always be stripped of more than we thought possible and still have more of Him
• Repentance is necessary when re-establishing relationships
• Forgiveness must always be part of our walk of freedom
• God can replace lost joy in a relationship
• It’s never too late to re-connect with one another
• The more we love God the more we can love others
• And the more we love God and others the less we think about ourselves
• The simplest things in life can be the most profound and enjoyable
• With a person, even though you can get an immediate read on the emotion, you’re offending them in a past or present action, they can’t cast you into a lake of fire and yet God we will offend and we have no sense of how offensive we are.
• Be careful what you wish for
• You can adapt
• God will use whomever He wishes