Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Inner City Perhaps?

Today, I had my placement very near the SouthEast border in DC. Honestly, I had heard from someone who had been there that it was a very dangerous area. But once I got down there, I was completely at rest. We took a 45 minute walk around the neighborhood with the kids, and in that time, I saw theft and domestic violence and sketchy people everywhere. But you know what, God was there. He was. And I truly and honestly think that I could teach in the inner city. I had and still have dreams about owning a home in the most beautiful town of Charlottesville, but maybe God is calling me to live in a run-down apartment in some city. I don't know. I really don't know. But I do know this. NOTHING can harm me unless God wills it. Nothing. He is Sovereign. Sure, we might get harmed. There is sin abounding in this world. And I might get fearful at times. But my GOD has the final say at to what will happen to me. His hand is stronger than the hand of sin, of Satan, and of death. Praise the Lord. Praise Him.

Psalm 91

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

2 comments:

Connie Z. said...

Hey Lauren,
When I was in college and lived in downtown Baltimore, it required both street smarts and a certain dependence on God. I'd see shady men and pray that they wouldn't harm me and that the Lord would save them. I'd walk through creepily vacant places and pray for protection and declare my joy in the Lord. Basically, it kept me praying. alot.

when my friends and i first came to the church out in the suburbs, we noticed how safe it felt and how we were starting to feel like we didn't need God as much for safety.

Anyways, I trust that teaching down there can be a blessing in many ways.

Lauren said...

Connie,
So good to hear this. And did I ever get to thank you for talking to me as we set up for Em's wedding? Probably not, but I'm thanking you now :) We'll see what God has in store in the next few years!