We have six months left in Okinawa. That means it’s time for a certain lecture I give to myself when we start thinking about pulling up roots and putting down new ones elsewhere.
Those teachers and leaders who have invested in our children and in us will find that their influence is transported to a new place, far away. The strengths of an old church are carried to a new one, perhaps where there is a need for encouragement or more strengthening. Like dandelion seeds, the truths we have learned in our short three years in Okinawa will be carried to the next place and planted. That’s a good thing.
On the other hand, I get to ask myself, “What of lasting value have I been a part of in other people’s lives? What of lasting value will we leave?” These are thought provoking questions.
I am compelled to pray for the people we will leave behind, and those who will take our place when we leave. For those who will come after us. Jesus tells us to pray for workers, and Okinawa has a great need for workers! We continue to pray for the church we have grown to love here.
I am also compelled to pray for the church we’ll be a part of in the new place. For godly men and women who will be teaching my children. For a humble pastor. For a place to serve and sink our roots down deep once again.
Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Luke 10:2And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
I’ll pray you find the right church. Change scares me 🙂 I’ve stayed put for now but still have had change recently: our pastor ‘retired’ after 35 years here. We have a new pastor.
I’ll pray for you, too, Maya! God has ways of using our own unique circumstances to grow us. (I have mentioned how the military helps me learn to trust God’s sovereignty; my friends who foster children say fostering helps them learn about God’s sovereignty. Fun to see how our individual situations actually grow us in similar ways to look more like Christ.)