The Father’s Delight –Swaziland
We were in Africa for 2 months from March to May. Ministry consisted of working at different care points around Nsoko, Eswatini. We were pretty much removed from any major city or town and we are out in the “bush”. The town consists of a grocery store and one restaurant and then some smaller communities surrounding the town of Nsoko. The care points are different feeding centers where the kids go to get a meal, and sometimes this is their only meal of the day. We spend time with the younger kids who come in the morning and then the older students once they come after school.
A word to describe our time in Nsoko would be Simplicity. I am so grateful for my time here, the squad I was with, the beauty of Africa, and for the joy that is evident on all of the kids’ faces. We had the opportunity to slow down in Africa and it has been sweet to reflect on this past year and to enjoy the little things like the smiles on the kids’ faces, or the stunning sunsets, or all of the opportunities I have to worship and pray with these radical men and women of God. It is such a privilege and I thank God for the opportunity I have had to lead them for 9 months.
In the mornings at our care point, I spent a lot of time with a group of 3-6 year olds. As soon as we arrive they run to give us hugs of greeting, then they escort us off to the playground where we jump on the tires, swing on the monkey bars, or simply sit down with 1-3 children on my lap holding them. The Lord has been reminding me of his Father’s heart through spending time with these little ones. A few of the little ones love the monkey bars but aren’t tall enough to reach them on their own. They lift up their hands and say “ndate” which means “hold me”. I hold them as they practice going across the monkey bars and back. They are “doing it” as I am carrying them across. One day I was laughing with the team that we are doing the “heavy lifting”, but I loved to spend time and play with them. In the same way that is what the Lord wants to do with us. The Lord is doing all of the work, but He invites us to partner with him because He delights to invite us to be used by him. God is all about family and delights to use us and partner with Him. He is after the RELATIONSHIP.
Another day one of the little boys I was playing with decided randomly to jump without warning into my arms. It was really sweet that he knew and trusted that I would be there to catch him, and the Lord used this simple example to remind me that He is my Heavenly Father who is always present. I can jump in trust with whatever He is asking because He is going to be there to catch me when I do. He desires that I would trust Him in that way too. He’s doing all the work, I simply get to do it with Him. Our Heavenly Father delights to spend time with us, it isn’t a burden but a delight for him. Psalm 147:11 says, “but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.”
These children have reminded me that it is the Father’s delight to love us and his love is deep and fierce and endured a brutal death to prove His deep love for us. Sometimes it is easier for me to know the BIG PICTURE love of the Father and less so the daily delight that He has for each one of us, and the opportunity I had to be working with these kids was a good reminder of that truth. This season in Swaziland, through many days of playing on playgrounds, was a beautiful reminder of His day-to-day delight in me. I am His daughter and He delights in me.
Almost every afternoon, once the older students would arrive they would sing. I loved to hear them sing worship songs. One that was popular at our care point was declaring their identity over themselves. Part of the lyrics are “I know who I am/ I know who God says I am/What He says I am/I know who I am/ I’m walking in Power/ I’m walking in miracles/ I live a life of favor/ I know who I am”. They would declare who they are over themselves as reminders. The Bible says “death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruits”, meaning that our WORDS MATTER! (Proverbs 18:21) The words that we speak have power, so if you need a reminder of who you are start DECLARING some of GOD’S TRUTH to remind ourselves and continue DISCOVERING what He says about us.
How can you reflect today on the Lord as the Perfect Father?
How can you remember that it is His delight to love you and not a burden?
In what ways can you receive in a deeper way the Father’s affirmation, affection, and attention this week?
SOME GOOD ONES TO LOOK UP (Nature of God as FATHER and FRIEND/ DELIGHT):
Isaiah 30:18-19; Matthew 6:26; John 15:15-16; Romans 8:31-39; Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 116:6-9; Psalm 139:17-19; Acts 17:24-28a; 1 John 4:19; Psalm 42:8; Psalm 103;
SOME GOOD ONES TO LOOK UP (DECLARATIONS):
John 1:12; Matthew 5:13-14; Romans 8:1; Romans 6:14; Romans 8:35-37; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:8; Ephesians 6:13; Philippians 4:4
Praying that you can bask in the Father’s goodness and delight today!
For the Glory of the Worthy King,
-Elizabeth
