Colossians 3:15
One Body
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NLT)
God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called. When my son was adding pieces to the Lego church that Southwood was building to help support our sister church in Uswaa, Tanzania, my heart longed to one day see the finished church in person. But my mind quickly dismissed the possibility. Traveling to what felt like a world away seemed impossible especially with my claustrophobia and the overwhelming anxiety that came with the thought of such a long flight.
Looking back now I feel God was watching me and saying, “You just wait. I will work in you to fulfill my purpose.”
In 2019, my son and husband traveled to Tanzania on Southwood’s first youth service learning trip. Through their pictures, videos, and stories, my connection to the people of Uswaa began to grow. That longing returned to visit this place that I felt a connection too but once again, I convinced myself it wasn’t possible. I couldn’t imagine being that far from my family and everything familiar for two full weeks.
Then, in October 2023, I learned that Pastor Calvin Kessey from Uswaa would be visiting Southwood, and another youth trip was being planned for the following summer. My daughter wanted to go and she wanted me to go with her. Once again, my heart said yes, but my mind was filled with anxiety and “what ifs.” Still, God continued to work in my heart. I took a leap of faith, signed up for the trip, and trusted that if this was truly part of His plan, He would equip me.
The weeks leading up to the trip were not easy. My husband was recovering from back surgery that resulted in a fracture, I was preparing to start a new job upon my return, and I received a jury duty summons. Stress and anxiety seemed to surround me, but the moment I stepped onto the plane for the first leg of our 36-hour journey to Uswaa, an unexpected calm washed over me.
Looking back, I believe God was preparing my heart. He was inviting me to release the stress I had been carrying and to open myself to His peace. He made space for joy, in the people I traveled with from Southwood, and in the loving, welcoming arms of our brothers and sisters in Uswaa.
The biggest “surprise” of all was the immediate connection I felt with our sister congregation. The life I experienced in Uswaa was very different from the one I’ve always known, yet I have never felt more connected to the Christian community. I didn’t feel like an outsider. I felt at home. I felt loved. Our shared belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior made us family. We weren’t different…we were one.
I am deeply grateful to the people of Uswaa for showing me what it truly means to be one body in Christ through their love, joy, and compassion. Even though we are over 8,500 miles apart, I still feel their presence in my heart and trust that we will meet again.
I encourage you to open your heart and trust that God will equip you for whatever He calls you to do. You never know what “surprises” He has waiting for you.
Questions for Reflection:
- When have I felt God’s peace in the middle of anxiety or uncertainty?
- Where might God be inviting me to take a leap of faith right now?
Prayer:
Dear God, please give me the strength to trust in you in times when opportunities and situations seem impossible. Help me to remember that with you all things are possible. Often I don’t feel equipped to do your work in the world, but I don’t have to have it all together. You will give me the tools and resources that I need if I trust in your plan for my life. Please be with me in times when it feels difficult to trust and provide me with your peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen.
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