Are We Running Out of Time Lord?

 by Karyn Ross

This was my third trip to South Africa. Each time the relationships I have built here continue to grow and deepen. It is hard to describe to someone that hasn’t been but to those of us who have, the ten days seem much longer. We form bonds and friendships that sometimes take months or even years to build. Perhaps it is because when we’re here everything else seems to fall away. We focus on those relationships. We take the time to really learn about and understand each other. We laugh together, we cry together, we share stories and we build trust. Every time you go back, you go deeper. People become more vulnerable, we share more together, the love grows and suddenly, somehow you find your lives are intertwined.  

This trip was amazing and full of God moments. This trip was a blessing in so many ways. This trip was also hard. The more I grow to love them, the greater my desire grows to help them. In one particularly tough moment I was reminded of something my mom told me once…”Love hard, hurt hard.” Never has this been more apparent to me than here amongst my friends in South Africa. 

It is one of my greatest joys to work with our Avodah members, a group of young adults who are specially abled both physically and intellectually. Here in South Africa they have the added challenge of physiological needs not being met as well. They struggle with a shortage of food and water, shelter and safety. Many of them sleep in shacks on dirt floors when it is wet and cold. Despite these challenges, they are filled with joy and hope. They have the kindest hearts and the purest souls and and they simply radiate love when you’re with them. At Avodah, the leaders come alongside them and their families to give them a safe space to cultivate friendships and grow in faith. They receive a hot meal four days a week. They learn life skills as well but most of all, here they find acceptance and love. 

Presently there are two members who are now facing an additional challenge. They are of an age where the fear of losing them to the streets has become a harsh reality. On this trip I found my heart breaking over and over again as one moment I watched them laughing and smiling like carefree children and the next we were having to discipline them and explain the dangers and consequences of choosing a different path. I kept visualizing a road diverging in two different directions and they are literally standing at the crossroads now. 

I prayed over and over, alone and with friends. We prayed that the Holy Spirit would guide them to the right one. As our time here grew short I felt panicked at the thought that we just didn’t know what was going to happen. Were we doing enough, trying hard enough to get through to them? Where would they be when I returned? I found myself asking… “Are we running out of time Lord, how can we save them?”

On Sunday I got my answer in the form of several messages.

My early morning devotions were both about trust. The first…”Trust the Lord in all circumstances without letting your desires to understand distract you from His loving presence.”

The second…I am presented with a choice. “Challenge His ways or bow before Him in worship and wonder and trust in His plan not yours.” 

Later that day a good friend spoke of a word her prayer group had chosen for this year to meditate on…Surrender.  

Lastly, we had the amazing opportunity to worship with 16 other churches in an outdoor amphitheater where we were surrounded by majestic mountains and blue skies. The message preached was Presence, Power, Purpose, Position.

Acknowledge His Presence, recognize His Power, identify His purpose for your life and take up your position to fulfill that purpose. The key point was we must link our purpose with His purpose. Trust His plan and not ours as we seek to fulfill that purpose. How does He want to use us? 

I leave now feeling peace. Although it is still difficult to think of the hurt, the fear and the unknown, I understand that it is not our job to save them. I will put my trust in Him and continue to live out the purpose to which I feel called. I know it won’t be easy but I will pause, listening for the Holy Spirit to whisper what it is He is calling me to do next. God doesn’t always answer our prayers on our timeline. But one thing I am sure of now after this time together in this special place-is that when we link our purpose with His and trust in His plan for our lives, we will never run out of time.♥️