HOP ON THE CAMEL

Today was a monumental day in my life.

I enjoy the word monumental because I think of a monument being built in honor of this day, which would be fitting. If these were Old Testament days, I'd assemble a pile of rocks and name it something like "THE LORD ROCKS" or "ON THE ROCK I STAND" or I could go on and on, but you get the point.

Why? Well, let's just say September 12th was a horrible day for me for the last 3 years.
That's the understatement of the century. It still makes me want to vom just thinking about it. But the Almighty God redeemed September 12th.

I haven't felt this much excitement and joy in a long time. Of all days, the Lord chose September 12th, because He is intentional and sarcastic and hilarious.

What did I do today?

I applied to seminary!

Essays are written, reference forms are on their way, and my official transcript has been ordered. I've cried over just about every part of it, because I was so happy.
My Father is so stoked for me. He is borderline giddy up in the skies, because I have finally begun to grasp what it means to delight in Him.

I used to get excited about finding a size 2-short pair of AE jeans on sale, or frozen yogurt, or a cutesy text message, or the right song coming on the radio... which are all awesome things, yeah? Well for me they are :)  Believe it or not, I am more excited about what God is doing than all those little fun things that fire me up.  

Sometimes, just to be silly, I ask my friends what the 'front page news' in their lives would be. Today, my front page news is redemption. 

You might be wondering why the title of my site and of my blog is "HOP ON THE CAMEL" and I'm ready to explain it. In Genesis 24, Abraham made his chief servant swear to him an oath (there was thigh-touching involved, which was normal back then, but only when you meant business): to go to Abraham's home town and get a wife for Isaac. Epic matchmaking in the works. So the servant gets 10 camels (ohhh) and loads them up with all sorts of swag. He gets there and starts praying for the Lord to send the right girl, and that she'd let him have some water and offer water for his camels. (Hollywood, why hasn't there been a movie about this? Water for Camels! Duh!) Before he's even done praying, obviously praying with his eyes opened, out comes Rebekah, with her big jar. Sure enough, she lets him have water, and offers some for the camels. This girl is willing and athletic, lifting heavy jars and running to and from the well. The servant figured out that she was indeed part of the family (opposite reaction back then, it meant green lights) and gave her jewelry. Rebekah takes the servant into the house and he retells the entirety of the story. They all agree this is from the Lord, but the family tried to prolong Rebekah's leaving (gee I wonder why). So the servant said "oh no no no, don't detain me!" and the family put Rebekah on the spot. They asked her "will you go with this man?"
Rebekah said "I will go." Her family prayed over her, then she hopped on a camel and left with the servant. God chose Rebekah to be the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau. Jacob would be renamed Israel, and his 12 sons were the 12 tribes. Epic!

She left everything she knew. 
She trusted God. 
She made a bold move, a brave step. 
Little did she know the impact of her obedience.
That's what "hop on the camel" means to me. 
When the Lord calls, that I am willing to bravely and boldly obey.


I hopped on a camel today, and I know God will be faithful. 

Please be in prayer for me as I'm still doing full-time ministry in Tanzania. Pray for health and safety! And also pray that I am able to trust and not fret while I wait on the Lord.