Renewed Perspective

The other day my roommate, exasperated with big city life, exclaimed, "I'd pay big money just to see an open field right now!" That's what happens at the beginning of month number three when you send six Pacific Northwesterners who are used to SMALL cities, across the world to a MASSIVE city. We just need a little room to breathe.

Once a month our team has a "Day with the Lord" - we all spend the day with God, however we choose. I've been anticipating this day for a while because it's always refreshing to do something on my own that especially gives me life in the midst of living in a city and season that is so draining. Doing something "on my own" being a big part of what makes it rejuvenating. :)

This morning I finished reading Hinds' Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard. It's a book that I've heard so much about for years, but never picked up until this week. I love that the Lord knows exactly the right time to pour out exactly the right kind of encouragement and wisdom. There are so many anecdotes that I could extract from the story (it's an intricately detailed allegory), but the one that touched my heart so deeply today is this: my need to daily surrender my desire for love & affirmation from people. I say that I trust that God's promises are true and that He will provide what I need. But I live in this constant battle between that and desiring affirmation from people instead. Anything else besides Jesus just doesn't fill you up. Why do I keep looking? When I rest in the knowledge and assurance of who God is and who I am, I am much more confident and at peace than when I seek to find that from people around me.

In light of this sweet reminder of God's intimate love for me, I decided to spend my day with the Lord ice skating in Red Square. I really don't even know how to describe the significance behind this, but for the past several years I've had this sort of idealized view of outdoor ice skating rinks. I think they're the epitome of beauty & romance. Before today, I'd never been ice skating outside, but there are definitely a lot of opportunities for that in Moscow!

Today was a great reminder that life in Moscow is not all bad. While it's easy to get flustered by the fast-paced life, crazy transportation, constant cold, extra early sunsets and language barrier, there are still many more adventures to have and new things to see! I feel rested and ready to keep going. God is working IN me. He's working AROUND me. And I believe he's working THROUGH me. He is so faithful to provide from the smallest desire of my heart to the world's greatest revival. His plans for me are GOOD and there is a purpose to the madness of Moscow. 

Thanking God for such a wonderful and restful day! Now I'm off to make dinner and decorate our Christmas tree with my roommates. Have a great day! :)