Life in Death

"If the leaves had not been let go to fall and wither, if the tree had not consented to be a skeleton for many months, there would be no new life rising, no bud, no flower, no fruit, no seed, no new generation." -Elisabeth Elliot (Clearly I've been reading "Passion and Purity")
Isn't that beautifully put? I find so much encouragement in going through a time or situation that can feel like "dying." There's purpose in it. There's life to be born that can only be born out of death. And that principle is all over Jesus' teaching. John 12:24, "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." Also, Mt. 10:39, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Purpose in death. I love how encouraging that is! I don't know how you walk through anything difficult without seeing hope in the distance, seeing purpose.
And I'm already seeing life born out of the struggle I've had here so far. I got to lead the girls in a song before school started today. The principle was adamant that I correct them while they sang. So I really felt a lot of freedom to teach them about music. I think I'll get to do that often. And since its a Christian school, we sing songs about Jesus. A lot of the kids who attend are Hindu, a lot of the teachers, too, for that matter, so how amazing it is for them to hear worship!
I'm also really connecting to the secretary who is in the office with me. She speaks some English. We have a lot of fun cracking up over the terrible job the printer does sometimes. So she's been a big blessing.
And I've seen God specifically answer a lot of prayers. I've been very detailed in what I've asked of Him since I've been here. I don't think I've relied on Him like this in a while. And He's proving so faithful! Great example: I sat down at the computer this morning after doing the song with the girls, and I felt horrible all of a sudden. There were these weird little splotches on my hand and I felt light-headed. And I'm like, I can't handle being sick right now. So I told the Lord that my body is His temple, He sent me here, and I really need Him to take care of me. I was basically having some spiritual warfare at the computer. haha. A lot goes on at that desk. He heard me and answered. My God has ears that hear and eyes that see. :) I felt fine after really pleading with Him for healing. Jesus makes me smile with His faithfulness!
Just want to end with one of my favorite passages that I reread today. Hebrews 12:4-9, "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons." Going through hardship shows that God loves us. How crazy is that perspective?