Purpose

The world is so different from one year ago. So many things have changed. When we first came to Tenwek, we could easily walk up to the hospital any day. We could hold babies, minister to families on the pediatric ward, or the kids could even go visit their dad and take him a drink. Now we can’t go anywhere near the hospital without being screened and having a sure & necessary purpose there. No one can. And the sad part is, because of the fear that many feel regarding Covid-19 now, most don’t really want to.

These days some of us are struggling with our purpose. Maybe it’s a common thing all over the world. What are we to do? Sometimes purpose is clear, like serving in the hospital, helping people in life and death situations. Sometimes though, as one of our sons said recently, we just feel like “sitting around doing nothing.” At times maybe that can be just the right thing to do, to just be. But it can also lead to thoughts and temptations that cause us to wonder what life’s all about anyway. It can even lead to dark places in our minds.

This summer, I really feel challenged to take those thoughts captive more than ever before. It has seemed so vital to be intentional about being present in the moments, even the seemingly insignificant ones, so as not to be overcome with the troubles of this world.

Our family shared recently that we are sort of in a time of “waiting.” Waiting for coronavirus to hit, waiting for a normalcy of some sort, and maybe for greater purpose to emerge. But God is not a God of catching up. He knows exactly what is happening, and it did not happen without him realizing. I have to cling to the fact that He is God, and I am not. He is holy. His purposes are so much greater.

So if my purpose today is to be faithful in the seemingly small thing of just being present, then that’s my ministry today. If reading to a child, smiling at a neighbor, praying for the person who comes by looking lonely, taking a walk, or spending extra time in God’s word is some of my purpose these days, then it is good. God knows what will lead us to Him. He knows what will show us clearly that “He is the Lord and there is no other.” May our purpose be to know Him more and to make Him known through how we navigate these challenging days.

Please continue to be in prayer for us and for the Tenwek community as a whole. We now have actual Covid-19 positive patients at the hospital (as of last week). The numbers are increasing in our county of Bomet. The temptation to be anxious is growing too. But we continue to cling to the Lord and his comfort and strength. He is and will always be our refuge and our ever-present help!