Watching and Waiting

This morning I read the story of Pentecost and couldn't help but see the parallel with (and reversal to) Genesis 11, the Tower of Babel. In one story, man is at work, united, but against God. God sees man's efforts and confuses mankind by introducing different languages. Thousands of years pass and God has been at work, even using fallen humanity, to bring about a solution. This solution finally comes about in Christ - the Gospel being "the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes" (Rom 1:16). God is at work. Upon His resurrection, the disciples are told to do one thing: wait. They wait for 50 days and suddenly God shows up, empowers them, and the language barriers that were introduced are overcome as the apostles speak in languages they didn't even know, so that every person from every nation represented hears about the amazing things God has done in their own language. God brings about reconciliation and unity. When man was working for himself, God brought confusion. But where God was at work, men were simply called to respond by waiting and trusting. It makes me think that I'm far better off just trusting Him do the work instead of me trying to do it myself. I find great comfort in this, especially in those areas of "confusion" in my life, whatever that confusion might look like. I'm reminded that it is much more about God, His purpose and His power, than it is about me, my plans, my understanding, or my strength. As we are about to start a new semester at CEC, this is especially of great comfort. I can easily be overwhelmed by the tasks at hand, the classes that I still need to prepare for and all the details involved, but then I'm forgetting all over again that it has much more to do with God and His power than about my inadequacy. We are excited for the 9 students that are coming this weekend. The semester starts on Monday and a great group from all over Mexico has come together once again. I'll give you more of an update as to who they are and where they are from once we are into the course. Pray for these students as we form a new community and learn to walk together as fellow disciples. Pray for us as staff as we make the adjustments that come with each new year - unity is one of our most powerful tools as we seek to impact the lives of these students. Pray for myself as I venture into teaching classes on Spiritual Disciplines once again over the first five weeks. Will watch and wait to see what God will do in our lives over the next 14 weeks. Thanks for your continued prayers! ¡Dios les bendiga!