Gone are the days of promising to write more frequently…that day has been replaced by this day, the day I promise to write when I feel the desire to. Because let’s be honest, for these posts to be worth anything to either of us, I know on my part it has to be organic, unforced, and impromptu. Trying to schedule my heart to produce something of worth is like trying to get a hummingbird to stop moving – it’s not very effective.

So much has happened in the last month, some expected, some very unexpected. I’ve been to a Kenyan wedding where the rings were lowered from the ceiling in a basket as “Rockin’ Years” by Dolly Parton played over the speakers (Don’t believe me? Send me an email). One of my best friends traveled safely from Peru to Bolivia, her 3rd mission destination on The World Race. I’ve filled the role of “preacher” at our all staff Wednesday chapel. In my Swahili lessons with Edward, I’ve progressed to learning how to tell someone, “I brushed my teeth at 7:45 this morning before going to work” (so clutch). I’ve started studying 1 Corinthians with my Bible study comrades and was successful in providing edible cookies when it was my turn to bring treats. Another mzungu has started working within our hospital grounds, increasing the ratio to 2 out of 60ish. I’ve edited close to 500 photos. I’ve brought my computer up to the ward and used Skype to connect patients with some of my friends back in the States. I’ve attended our staff’s 3-day “Spiritual Emphasis” talks that highlighted the need to take care of God’s creation and to start farming God’s way. Now I can’t get mulching, crop yield, and tree planting off my mind. I’ve passed the 4-month-mark here. My younger sister has relocated to Israel to lead the outreach portion of her time as staff for Youth with a Mission (YWAM). After my oldest brother celebrated his 31st birthday, he flew to Reno to surprise my dad for his 57th birthday. My other older brother returned to Afghanistan for part two of his 1 year deployment after having a 2 week furlough. And now my family and friends represent 5 different time zones.

Time zones. Divisions. Barriers that distinguish the order in which people in different locations get to experience a day. They’re constant reminders of separation. But although being here has made that idea of separation so clear, it’s also enriched another idea that I read about in the book of 1 Samuel. In chapter 20, Jonathan makes a covenant with David, then after deciding on a method of 3-arrow-communication, Jonathan says, “And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever” (1 Sam 20:23). Awhile back, this verse came up when I was thinking about one of my friends, and it ended up becoming a truth I’ve applied to all my relationships. No matter what exists between me and my loved ones – land, distance, an ocean, the equator, time – God is always between us, and that trumps and transcends everything else.

The picture he used of Victoria Falls & the start of the Zambezi River

I listened to a sermon recently about submitting to the current of the Holy Spirit, and the pastor contrasted the water in a kiddie pool to the water pouring down Victoria Falls that becomes the Zambezi River. He said there are those who settle for staying tied to the dock, content to float in a kiddie pool of stagnant water while experiencing their version of God’s grace and mercy. Then there are those who choose to submit to the lively, powerful, crazy-awesome current of Jesus that sweeps you up & takes you places with God that might not be safe, but that are always good. And one of his lines during his talk was that when you’re on that Jesus river, you might not know where it bends, but you know where it ends – right next to Him in Heaven.

Jumping into that river was the best choice I ever made. And although there have been rapids and bends and predators and unexpected collisions. And although there have been moments of feeling disoriented and utterly confused that have tempted me to think that the shore looks like a better option, He who called me into that river has been and will always be faithful (1 Thess 5:24). So even when my river takes me into different time zones and separates me from those I love, I’m still connected to them because “…in Him, all things hold together” (Col 1:17). One of the verses I’m keeping in front of me these days is John 8:29 which says, “And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” That’s what makes the river so worth it, because He’s the river, so no matter what you encounter along the way, you’re still in Him, and He’s good. Real good.

One last thing I’ll leave you with is something I heard from my pastor’s wife back home. She said, “Faith isn’t just about what you think God’s doing in your life, it’s about the effect He’s going to have on everyone else’s because of your obedience.” Every day, every moment, is a chance to obey God’s call to submit to His current, to faithfully jump into His river. I have no clue where it might take you and I know it won’t be safe, but I do know it will be good. I believe that we each exist in our own time zone here on Earth, and those time zones are limited. Leverage the time you have been given by spending it on behalf of the Giver, because your life isn’t the only thing at stake, but others’ lives are waiting to be impacted by your time spending habits.

Originally posted at http://nashipai.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/time-zones/.