How long?

Overlooking Jinja, Uganda from Igenge Hill

At the top of the most frequently asked questions list is this: how long will we be there? The official answer is that we have committed to a year as volunteers with an openness to two. Practically this means we will have a time of reassessment when our first year is coming to a close and decide, along with the Hands at Work team, to return or stay for another year or more.

The follow up question is typically along the lines of, "so how much time do you hope/expect/want to spend there?" Well, I point back to the circumstances which got us to this point, or rather the God who got us to this point.

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.‭‭" - Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭9‬

Man proposes but God disposes. This is where I want my heart to remain: open to His will. So, my hopes/expectations/desires are to trust that God will tell us what to do, and that it would be loud and clear to us as we are making decisions both now and a year from now.

God wants to hear our hearts. He wants to know our desires. God doesn't tell us to shut up until we have the "right" words to say, or the "right" plan in place. He doesn't expect us to always present a finished product, or even really have an idea of what we are going to do. He gives us His Spirit so we can rely upon His direction and intercession, and through that glorify Him through obedience:

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." - Romans 8:26-27

God is a good and patient father who meets us where we are, yet desires we set down our own will (our desires, ideals, and plans) for the sake of His perfect will. Why? Why can't God just use whatever we do to glorify Himself? Well, He can (Ephesians 1:11). But we have an opportunity to look like little Christs to those around us. To show off God's glory, and to show God how much we trust Him.

What in your life have you laid plans for but have not yet checked in with God about? Here's a list of things we have a tendency to hold on to as our own instead of ask for God's will:

• Career

• Free time

• Vacations

• Budget

• Relationships

Prayerfully consider where God wants to be let into your life (hint: it's all of it!). Ask Him to give you the answers. Listen to the Holy Spirit, and be patient.