Jesus Loves the Sunburnt

Greetings, Loved Ones! As I write this to you, my arms and legs and chest are CAKED with Aloe Vera Lotion. It was Australia Day today-- a holiday for this grand country that warrants fantastic celebration. To commemorate said holiday, all of our Schools spent most of the day at the beach, waiting for the fighter jets to fly overhead and enjoying kangaroo on the barbie. For myself, a proud redhead (they call me a 'ranga here- as in orangatang- because they have red hair?) that meant willingly roasting in the Aussie sun for the hottest hours of the day. For the Aussies reading this- I was not using "States' sunscreen"- I bought yours, and it still wasn't enough! I also continuously put it on (like everyone does) throughout the day.... My one fatal move, though, was choosing to walk home from the Strand. I was exhausted and I could feel my skin cooking and I was told it was a fifteen minute walk. The staff were going to drive us home "in a little while", but for those of you like me, you know that that's sadly not satisfying- it's better to leave on your own right then and have the peace of mind of knowing you're on your way home than to wait and see when everyone else will eventually be ready to leave. So, I risked it, and I walked all the way back with my dear friend Lucy (what a Godsend she was- I would've died of despair had we not been laughing at our bad choice the whole time). It was AT LEAST a forty minute walk in the baking sun. AND we got lost at least twice. But you know, it was a good time anyway. And it turns out that almost everyone is burnt pretty badly- not too different from July 4th in that aspect...

Now that I've related that not-so-pleasant-but-still-hilarious news, I would like to pose a rhetorical question: have you ever been moved by the Holy Spirit? I have no definition of "moved"- no qualifiers, no modifiers. Nothing to prove that it even happens, except that I can tell you confidently that you know when it does. Our DTS (discipleship training school) kicks off tomorrow, and so tonight we had a tour of the new YWAM medical ship and then a worship service on the top deck. I have to be honest, I don't know how to continue from here, except to say that the Holy Spirit did indeed move me. It was night, it was warm, there was a sea breeze, the people I've already begun to love deeply were surrounding me, and we were all singing to Jesus. A thought came to mind during our first song, and that was that here, in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, and everywhere, I am finally free to love Jesus shamelessly. I feel no need to hide my desire for Him so as to maintain old friendships, no need to hide my need for Him so as to keep my vulnerabilities from others. Who has done the freeing get tricky: Jesus is the one who frees, of course, but does that mean He was the One who gave me a need to be freed in the first place? No, my friends, that was my own doing. The Devil had successfully snared me in a trap of my own pride and self-reliance, convincing me that his voice was "reason" and my love for Jesus was a hindrance.

My friends, I have wonderful news that I have known for so long but not had the courage to accept. Love for Jesus is not a hindrance. Loving Jesus with abandon is the best choice you can make because it is returned with such fervor that it brings you to tears. As we were singing together, all our different voices joined in singing His wondrous praises, tears streamed down my face for the warmth and freedom that I had heard so much about and that was FINALLY mine. With my head raised to the stars and a tear or two racing down each cheek, quick thoughts of the book "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis came to mind. Written from the perspective of an Elder Demon to a Youngling Demon, he writes as an advice giver on how to ensnare both young and mature Christians, and bring them away from "our Enemy above" (Jesus). My family was reading this book together before I left and so I took it along and continued reading it earlier today, where I read a chapter on how demons can distract and "persuade us that our vivid Christianity is only a 'phase'". I thought back and realized how often I see that in my own history and in the history of those I love. I opened my eyes and there was a bright star right above my line of sight. I looked at it longingly for a moment when I saw a huge bat fly across it. I watched the bat fly into the night when another appeared in its place and again passed by the star. That could have been coincidence, but I will leave you to decide for yourselves.

This I know for true: the Devil will try more than once to distract you from the beauty of Christ. Beware of the "phase" trick, my friends- your love for Jesus and His returned love for you is the most vibrant and everlasting truth you can experience.

Now, for those of you who know me: you know that I am RARELY speechless- most of the time, if telling a story, I simply won't stop, even if no one is interested, just because I'M interested in the sound of my own voice. (Ha!) As some of my fellow students gathered to pray, I found myself truly speechless. My turn came to pray and I had thought to say "I have nothing to say, Jesus", but my throat simply wouldn't make the words. I believe that, Loved Ones, is the Holy Spirit moving.

I love Jesus. He knows me for what I am, not for what I have pretended not to be. I can rely on Him, He will not cause me trauma, He will not abuse my trust, He will not scare me. He will not cause me to endlessly rely on myself. If you have not yet realized the truth of Christ, I pray that you do soon.

Random fact of the post:

I, and several of my comrades, have not, despite our VERY BEST efforts, been able to find decent pillows. I am currently using a square, bright orange decorative pillow with a mammoth blue flower on the front as my pillow. Get this- I put it in a normal pillow case just so I felt normal. (And also cleanliness!?) I HAVE NO REGRETS! Though the pillow is a tad squished, it has worked wondrously these past couple nights.

Thank you for your prayers and support. Christ is working wonders here. Wish me luck on the kick off of our school tomorrow morning!