Back home again!

       “It takes Almighty grace to take the next step when there is no vision and no spectator – the next step in devotion, the next step in your study, in your reading, in your kitchen; the next step in your duty, when there is no vision from God, no enthusiasm and no spectator. It takes far more of the grace of God, far more conscious drawing upon God to take that step, than it does to preach the gospel…”

       “We flag when there is no vision, no uplift, but just the common round, the trivial task. The thing that tells in the long run for God and for men is the steady persevering work in the unseen, and the only way to keep the life uncrushed is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit upon the Risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to damp you. Continually get away from pettiness and paltriness of mind and thought out into the thirteenth chapter of St. John’s Gospel.” Oswald Chambers

       I read this devotional the third day back in Hungary after five months in the States. It spoke and speaks clearly after the encouragements and some discouragements during my stay stateside. I reveled eagerly assisting with worship with friends at many churches as I asked for clarity for the next step in the quiet times with no spectator, completing the trivial task. It was not drudgery that would dampen my spirit as I assisted my mother in her time of need, but my pettiness and paltriness of mind. How could I return to Hungary with a vision most did not see venturing a step that had to depend on God? Who am I to suppose that God would pour His grace upon me? Hadn’t I walked away from ministry when I left Hungary?