Within the past year or so, Isaiah has quickly become one of my favorite books of the Bible, if not my very favorite. It has provided encouragement and support in countless situations. A few nights ago, I turned to chapter 55 and started reading. If you have time, read the whole chapter because it is wonderful.
But one verse stuck out to me that night. Isaiah 55:12 says, "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the moutains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." As amazing as the image of trees clapping their "hands" is, I focused in on the first part of that verse.
As someone who loves to-do lists and planning (far, far in advance), it can be easy for me to dwell on the future rather than today. Most of the time, I am happy to look forward to all the things I have planned before leaving for Uganda as well as the excitement of actually going! But there is a "logical" part of me that also realizes that everything won't always be rainbows, unicorns, and butterflies all the time in Uganda. Sometimes it can be hard to find a balance between having realistic expectations and negatively dwelling on what could go wrong.
But back to the verse--I thought it fit perfectly. As I leave for Uganda, it will be an exciting and bittersweetly joyous time. When I first arrive and see those beautiful mountains, I don't think it will be hard to picture them bursting into song. But what is even better is that when those days inevitably come when the rainbow has changed to just plain old rain and the unicorns look like ugly horses, God promises his peace will lead me forth. How wonderful! God isn't sending me to Uganda with just the promise that I'll go in joy but is sending me with the additional promise that I will continue to be led forward in His gracious peace.
No doubt that the Rwenzori mountains will become a familiar backdrop and a constant reminder to lift up your eyes to the hills and remember that your help comes from the Lord the Maker of heaven and earth--He won't let your foot slip. And He watches over you without ever sleeping! And if those mountains don't burst into song, I know some people on the team who just might---thankful for the help and blessing you will be to them.
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