He is present!

“The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’  Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” – 1 Kings 19:11-13

We have a lot going on here in Panamá; there’s not a lot of resting to do.  Last night, a friend came over to cook us an authentic Panamanian dinner!  Tonight, all the teenage boys in the church are coming over for a lock-in.  Tomorrow, a group from a church in Texas is arriving for a week, and then on Sunday, we’ll have church and start a week full of projects and activities for the community here in El Valle all over again.

Just like at home in the States, it is so easy to get preoccupied with the next big thing happening.  There is always something to be doing and preparing for.  Tomorrow can always take our attention away.

When you come on a week-long trip, you are working constantly.  You are always doing something, but then after some time, it comes to an end and you go home.  When you live in a foreign country as a career missionary (or whatever you want to call them), you are constantly preparing for the next group, the next project, the next Bible study, or whatever comes next—just like a pastor at a church would anywhere.

But God doesn’t always come in the big things, and frankly, if we only live for the major events in life, we will miss the comfort of the Lord in the little moments.

Yes, God is present in the church services, bible studies and short-term mission trips, but he is also present (and maybe more so) in the simple conversations, personal quiet times, and general tasks that make up a normal day.  I cannot miss the gentle whisper for the earthquakes and fires.  He is present; I must simply be with Him.