At this point, I have been in Romania for almost a month. It feels crazy to even write that sentence. These past few weeks have felt like a rollercoaster. I have seen God move powerfully, and I have also witnessed the brokenness of this world. I have noticed how much I’ve grown, yet I’ve also observed how I need to keep relearning the same lessons.
One of the main things God has reminded me of recently is to live in an attitude of praise. Romania is a hard place to do ministry. Very few people know God personally and it’s noticeable. Due to this atmosphere, it can be really easy to feel discouraged. However, God is good no matter our circumstances. He is not only present, but He is active. He is working even if we don’t see it every day.
But if we don’t see His work, how can we praise Him for it? Well, we can praise Him for who He is and the work He has already done. We can praise Him for the small moments of victory He allows us to see. We can even praise Him for the work that we will never know of while on this earth.
Thus, God has been teaching me to praise Him as soon as I wake up. I want the first words from my mouth, the first posture of my heart to be about Him. Then, no matter how my day goes, I am reminded to keep praising Him.
Nevertheless, I can tell you that I don’t praise Him perfectly. There are many times I have not wanted to praise Him. I don’t want to praise Him when I see my friends are struggling. I don’t want to praise Him when I don’t see where He’s leading me. I don’t want to praise Him when it’s hard. Yet, regardless of how I feel, He is praiseworthy!
Here are a few of the moments I have praised Him for recently (sometimes when I haven’t felt like praising Him):
- Every time I have met a new friend. God has placed many college students in my path and allowed me the opportunity to know them. I have loved hearing their stories, laughing with them, and making new memories.
- Dreams come true. I have always wanted to visit Europe, and it has been a blessing to see new places. While it’s not the reason I’m here, God has been kind to give me this gift.
- Ability to talk with family and friends back home. Since we’re in a city, I have been able to communicate more with the people I love. I cherish the texts and calls I get with them.
As I write these down and reflect on this past month, I continue to praise Him. The future is unknown, and there are many challenges along the way, yet I am excited to keep walking with my Father hand-in-hand.
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.
Psalms 37:23-24
I’m reminded of one of my favorite songs from junior high youth group in Anchorage, Alaska at the Presbyterian church (I think it was First Presbyterian) that we went to and the place that I gave my heart to Jesus. Dr. Lovejoy was our Sunday school teacher. He would come in each week and say, “It’s time for you to decide, you’re old enough to make this decision. What will you decide?” It was at a retreat that the church did that they had an alter call. And, with Dr. Lovejoy’s voice in my head, I decided.
LYRICS:
Love Him in the morning, when you see the sun arising,
Love Him in the evening ’cause He took you through the day,
And in the in-between time when you feel the pressure coming,
Remember that He loves you and He promises to stay.
When you think you have to worry,
‘Cause the things you have to do,
Remember He’s not in a hurry,
He’s always got time for You,
So… Love Him….