Peace

I have the most amazing life.
I usually try not to go into details on my own personal walk with the Lord unless it is a confession or relaying something I’d learned, but today I have a desire to share.

These past couple of weeks have been difficult and yet I have so much peace and joy. Doing my regular placement and leading the interns feels like I am working two full time jobs.

Through the struggle I’ve found this new intimacy with my Creator. When I started feeling attacked, lonely, exhausted, and frustrated last week, I woke up and realized that no matter where I am in the world or how hard things seem I have a God that cares about me.

Cast your cares upon the Lord for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)

I began to have my eyes opened to the type of relationship I could have with God. This new, deeper, relationship began to take form as He began to reveal to me the areas that I had settled for lesser fulfillment, as I began to realize how through frustration I’d forgotten to be grateful, and instead of casting my cares on the Lord I’d casted them to friends.

It was hard for me to realize these things. It’s difficult to look around and look at my own life and see where we have settled for weak fulfillment as opposed to fulfillment in God. I see people who turn to technology (cell phones, internet, movies), I see people who turn to relationships (boyfriends, girlfriends, best friends), and I see even people who turn to other temporary reliefs (jobs, school, exercise) and yet I know a God that longs to be intimate with His people.
I know that God longs to be our everything. He longs to walk with you through the hard times, to speak to you when you need wisdom, and to fill the voids that we have in our lives.
I’ve learned this week to truly pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). There have been times when I needed wisdom so I simply asked the Lord how to handle a situation and He would respond with scripture that would fit that exact situation, there were times that my emotions were not Godly and I would repent and talk to God about why I felt the way I did and I would get revelation or scripture. God desires to be a part of my day to day life.

He doesn’t just want to hear from me on Sunday’s, in the morning during my quiet time, during a worship service, let Him walk with us continually throughout the day giving comfort, peace, joy, and wisdom.

I know all of these things that I’m talking about you’ve heard before, I know they seem so simple, but ya know if the body of Christ truly lived in that type of relationship with God then perhaps we wouldn’t have the problems we do and we’d see more people living in victory.
I urge our generation to stop looking to the things that are seen, but the things that are unseen (2 Cor. 4:18), I beg you to desire intimacy with God (Ps. 27:4), I ask that you put away the foolishness of this world and enter into true fulfillment with Daddy God. Find peace in the creator of peace.

I learned this week why Paul in James says to take joy when you fall under various trials, I see why in Romans he says that tribulation produces perseverance, character, and hope. I’m so thankful for my time here in Africa. I’m so thankful that I am a child of God and I get to talk to Him, listen to Him, be led by Him, He has plans and purposes for my life that are bigger than I can imagine.

I’m 22 years old and already I get to travel to the nations sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no other person on the face of this earth that I’d rather be.

UPDATE:
Ashley our intern director will take back over this coming up Sunday which will be a huge load off of my shoulders. I’m completely restored in my body and have no sickness!! Praise the Lord. Water has continued to go in and out and internet is still down, but once again these are small conveniences. I believe I’ve made the decision to go to Rwanda which means I’ll need prayers for finances. The plan was for me to fly from Bots in May up to Rwanda and stay a month. That was going to help me out a lot because it would be cheaper, however talking to some financial advisors with the mission it looks like it will be more expensive than if I flew home in April and then flew back to Rwanda in May. Prices to fly around in southern Africa are rising because of the World Cup taking place in South Africa soon. Maegan and I will both need to raise $3500, so if you’re interested in contributing please let me know by sending me a message on facebook or an email at jessinbotswana@hotmail.com, but no matter what please keep that in your daily prayers.

Taking advice from my parents I have began to look for a master’s program to apply to for the fall semester of this year. I’ve been confused on what direction to go with my life because I love doing mission work and doing full time ministry. I can’t see myself doing much else, yet. However, I’ve always wanted to get a masters and when I changed my mind about getting a degree in counseling I had no clue what I wanted to do. I have found a program at the University of North Texas in Denton. It’s a master’s in behavioral analysis which is something I KNOW I would love and it’s the only program in the state. I’m praying about this decision right now and plan on applying soon, please keep me in your prayers as I begin to make these decisions for my future.
Be Blessed my friends,
J. Tate