Teach me Your way

One morning in August 1992, I sat on a hillside next to our temporary apartment and read Psalm 86.

We had arrived in Karachi that June and were spending a month up north studying Urdu in the cool air of Murree.  The past year had been one of upheaval with numerous moves and changes.

I clung to these daily moments with the Father. Time to pray. Breathe.  Meditate on the truth of His word. I came to verse 11. 

“Teach me Your way, O Lord,
and I will walk in Your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear Your name.”

Necessary

I read it again. Waited.

Deep inside I knew this was significant, necessary for my walk with Him.

Entering a new culture, learning a new language, adjustment to parenting our firstborn? At times, daily life was simply overwhelming.

In all of it, I needed to know His way.

Teach me Your way

I marked the verse in my Bible that day. In the years since I’ve prayed it over and over.

Teach me Your way in the desert, Lord, and I will live in Your truth.

Teach me Your way in the midst of abundance. Teach me Your way in the dark. Teach me Your way in the ‘something new’.

Teach me.

Ask in faith

James says it this way, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God–who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly–and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting…” (James 1:5,6a).

My life path has been marked by His answers to those heart-cries for insight and discernment. And my journal recounts His faithfulness.

Even in the dark.

Opportunity

Today I sit at my desk on the other side of the world from that hillside in Pakistan.    

It’s another season of change and adjustment. Another opportunity to trust our heavenly Father.

Today I launch this blog–and again pray with gratefulness and expectation.

“Teach me Your way, O Lord,
and I will walk in Your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear Your name.”
Psalm 86:11 NIV

Happy Thanksgiving.