Inspiations on “Ministry”(Part 2)
by Kimberley Sasan
One of God’s greatest gifts to me came in the form of my husband, Shea. From the moment I met him, I wanted to marry him, and because God knew my heart, He gave us a beautiful love story. Shea is everything my heart desired. And just because He loves me, God even made a path for us to do ministry together for a season.
Within our first two years of marriage we attended a seminary program together and followed that with a move across the world to the Philippines to do missions work. It was a very exciting time, yet equally as intimidating. There were so many unknowns for me, but what I did know was that God loved me. He’d called me to go there, and I said , “Yes"!” Needless to say, I could go on for pages about our experience - specifically the beautiful people we met - and how God changed our lives, but before we even got there, one moment stands out in my mind as particularly significant.
Second Significant Moment
Our long journey to the small apartment we would call home in the Philippines was definitely eventful. We found ourselves in unfamiliar places, on many airplanes, and driving all sorts of roads before we arrived safe and sound. We had an overnight layover before the first long flight overseas. The little motel we stayed at wasn’t much to speak of. After a rather uncomfortable night, a much too early wake-up call, and a few other bumps along the way, I was becoming increasingly more unsure about the whole situation. As we finally made it on the plane I took my seat by the window and desperately proceeded to make myself a “corner of comfort".” I must have sat that whole flight with my back to the aisle, trying to block out everything around me.
At some point I looked out my window and saw a familiar sight high above the clouds. I couldn’t tell you if it was a sunrise or a sunset or what part of the world I was over at the moment, but that sight stirred me. I turned up my music, grabbed my journal, and began to pour out my heart to God and asked Him for His comfort and strength. I had been caught off guard by the journey thus far. I was uncomfortable, unsure, and unaware of what awaited me. Right there in that window seat, tucked up in a corner trying to hide away, He began to comfort my heart. Just then I heard the words of the song I had been listening to:
In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.
If you’re familiar with the hymn, the verses proceed to tell of His life, death, resurrection, and the hope of salvation in Jesus. God’s soft voice spoke to me and said, “I know how you feel.” It hit me like a ton of bricks, “… but You did that because You love me, and I can do this because I love You!” Tears began to stream down my face as God gave me a deeper understanding of His love for me. God in His great lovingkindness toward me was using this moment to refine me, to remove my immaturity, to strengthen me, and to solidify in my heart that He was with me. “If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” - Psalm 139:9,10
Photo by Andrew Neel via Unsplash