The day I was going to Chile

It's 7:24pm. By this time today I was meant to be on a plane to Santiago. It's funny how far away that world feels now, a mere two weeks after we found out our trip was cancelled. At the time, it felt like a real sacrifice. Don't get me wrong, I wish I was on a plane right now on my way to Chile. It just doesn't feel like such a big deal now as it did two weeks ago. Perspective, huh?
Yesterday I bought my second plane ticket home for May. My first ticket was cancelled by the airline about a week ago. Still waiting for the travel agency to tell me that happened, they're a little overwhelmed at the moment. Also not as big a deal as it would have seemed two weeks ago. Again, perspective.
There are so many things I could talk about right now that aren't going the way I planned or expected. I've had panic moments, swirly "what if?" moments, "how much am I willing to let this cost me?" moments. Each time one thing has saved me. Perspective.
Because if I look around me, a lot of things don't make sense, a lot of things are getting shaken, things I didn't know could be. But then I look inside me, and everything looks a bunch different. "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) kinda different. And I remember praying with all my heart for Jesus to refine me all of two months ago, and I realise this is the perfect opportunity to let him do exactly that.
So here are some things which aren't going the way I planned or expected:

  • Our school has gone online and as a result those able to join in on our weekly worship sessions has gone from 1000 to about 8000. We've also been able to connect with friends and family within our RG and invite people in so we can give them encouraging words and pray for them through video calling.
  • People all over are checking in with their neighbours, buying groceries for each other, and finding creative ways to connect.
  • The whole world has stopped looking out for itself as individuals and chosen to make personal sacrifices for the sake of the people around them.
  • The healing rooms, which ran Saturday mornings in Redding have also gone online, and are now available every day for anyone with an internet connection anywhere in the world.
  • Families are connecting with each other and being intentional where there was busyness distracting in the past.
  • With all the extra time I've been able to listen to extended amounts of audio Bible at a time and am picking up overall themes and messages I never have noticed. I've also been getting extra reading in and all those little things I've been meaning to get round to are getting done.
  • I'm getting so much rest! When this is all over I'm going to be so refreshed and ready to go.
So there you have it folks. Perspective. Turns out he really does bring beauty from ashes. I guess I shouldn't be surprised the Creator really is pretty creative after all! 

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