He said that often when missionaries share their stories they share how God has said "Go" (referring to the Great Commission). For Andy though, he heard, "Come to Me". It was as if God was at work in Niger and was calling the Gray family back to be a part of what He was already doing. I'm sure I probably totally reworded his message...but it is close.
Matthew 11:28 came to mind quickly, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." I often have thought of this verse to apply only when we are exhausted from overworking. But what if it is a continual beckoning? The longer I live this life, the more frequent the burdens and with increasing weight. There are more decisions that need to be made. More wisdom is needed.
At this moment I am sitting in a dark room listening to the beat of an IV pump . It is 2:30am and my dad is finally resting from an exhausting day of tests and xrays. I don't think anyone told me this is what our lives would look like in this season. My mom should be calling to set a Starbucks date with my daughter. My dad should be telling us stories of Ohana in Hawaii. Instead my mom is in heaven with her sister and my dad is saying night-night from the hospital bed.
This moment, this quiet night, is just one in a string of heavy-laden moments. Yet I am at rest. St. Augustine has this quote, "Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee."
Through these trials, these sufferings, God has been my rest. I continue to come to Him, for without Him I am restless. I have learned over the last several years that there is purpose in our struggles. God is waiting for us to come to Him. Sometimes all the way to Niger and sometimes in a hospital room in the middle of the night. As we put our trust and hope in Him, He directs our paths straight into His arms and straight into His purposes for our lives. What better place to find true rest?
