In Colossians 3 verse 10, Paul says to the church in Colossae that in Christ they have put on the “new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Then in verse 11 he says this: “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.”
That last phrase, “Christ is all, and in all”, has captivated me for a long time, and while on this trip it’s something I’ve been meditating on. Recently, God has really been showing me what that means.
Last time I wrote, the team and I were just about to leave for Ongole. That was 3 weeks ago, and I feel as though I should inform you of what that experience was like. We worked in the two houses that SCH runs in Ongole. We worked with the kids in the mornings and then would go on outings with them in the afternoon. It was a lot of fun. Ongole was also a very strange place for me. Not because of the people or the culture, but mostly because it was where God spoke to me in what seemed like the strangest ways.
He was showing me that he is in every little thing. I know that is said a lot in churches, that God is in everything. But truly, he is. He was in the waters of the beach in Ongole, displayed through tiny bacteria that have been commanded to shine his beautiful light. He was in the winds that hit my face on the rooftops of Faith home. He was in the streets in the hearts of passionate auto drivers. He was in the tent villages, in the service and love the people showed us. He was in the young man in Victory home who made no noise other than humming “Jesus Loves Me”. He was in one of the school boys who interrupted my worship to dance to the praises of his father.
In each one of those moments, I saw so much of God and his presence, of his love, of his power, of his character, and how he is so detailed and intricate and personal. He has been ringing in the hollows of my heart that he is in everything.
We are now in Nepal. We are enjoying debrief in a beautiful town called Pokhara, which is in the valley under the Annapurna range. The Himalayas surround us; and a lake is our morning view. And again and again over the past 3 days of staying here, God has just shouted louder and louder in those same hollows “I AM HERE!”
Yesterday I went paragliding, I was looking for adrenaline and excitement, instead it was very relaxing and beautiful. I was flying through the air like a bird, looking down on the creation of God. I looked at the snowcaps and wanted to laugh and cry and scream all at the same time, but I couldn’t make a sound. I was so in awe of my creator. He’s in it all. He’s here.
Last time I was in Nepal, one thing I prayed earnestly for was that God would show up. That he would make himself very obvious, to my team and to the people of this country. But time and time again, he showed me that he was already here. He was already working. That he’s never stopped.
One verse that God has spoke into a lot on this trip is Psalm 46:10 which says “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
He’s been calling me to be still, to listen and watch him work because it’s all about him. The verse doesn’t say that Laura will be exalted among the nations, because I have nothing to offer except him. He will be exalted, he will be glorified because he is everything and he is in everything. From the the waters of the lake to the beauty of the sky to the mountains and the winds. He’s in it all. So my response is to be still and praise his beautiful name.
He is renewing my spirit in the knowledge of him. He is teaching me and using me. He is showing that there is no difference between me and the people I’m ministering to. He is displaying his power and worthiness. And He is shouting out his presence.
Please pray that his shouts will also be heard by the people of this country.
