The ponderings, the travels, the long-distance love: from JACKI MAYNE

In lieu of my absence from the beautiful continent of Australia, and because I'm excited for others to be able to follow my travels whenever they feel like checking up on me, I'm sending my love electronically.



A shout-out to all my gorgeous friends and family, from all over the planet: Townsville, Brisbane, Murgon, Byee... the rest of Australia. Wherever you are, may you surrender yourself for God to use you in amazing ways.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Doing or Being?

Which is more important? This is the question that plagues me often.  According to my Western mindset, 'doing' is.
I must do, do, do, or I ain't worth 2 cents!
However, whether by divine ordination or mere circumstance (and we all know I'm not a believer in the latter option), I have found myself forced to simply 'be' for the past week.
With things having quietened down at the office a bit (i.e. no English/Thai classes or visits), boredom quickly overcame me.  And with this bordem, came a sense of worthlessness and lack of purpose.  All within 2 days.  Sad, right?  I know!
Yet admist this perceived 'boredom' - which, really, I should have straightaway justified as more time to really focus on my language learning - God reminded me of a few important truths:
1) Our value is not determined by how busy we are.  Yep, being busy might make us feel important (and I'm paraphrasing from a website here; see below) - but what is actually important is that, no matter our circumstances, we continue to let God do what He wants with us (our lives, our characters, everything).  That's obedience.  Obedience is better than sacrifice
2) No matter how much I love to be busy, He has given me this period of 'stillness' to make new friends, learn some of the language, and adjust to life in Thailand.  I should be shakin' in my boots, to be so brazenly complaining about spare time.
3) It's good to let God discipline me into a new pattern of living - in this case, primarily studying.  Another instance in learning to live in the will of God, not in the will of Jacki.

 Here endeth the sermon.  Kazam!

Here's the website for anyone interested: http://odb.org/2010/10/04/keeping-busy/
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2 comments:

  1. rachelNovember 16, 2010 at 10:40 PM

    Jacki I understand so well being and being unable to do! It is quite a difficult journey and a lot harder than most people think. But remember too that God often speaks in the silence and amazing lessons can be learned. You continue to be an inspiring woman :)

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  2. Cameron HandleyNovember 21, 2010 at 10:12 AM

    Jack Jack :)
    wow those pictures are absolutely amazing, what an amazing landscape.
    I must agree that you are a go, go, go type of person...so it sounds like God is keeping you in line, making sure you squeeze some rest into your schedule.
    I can't say this enough, but it is really encouraging and inspiring seeing someone put it all on the line, and go out for God 100% In your time over there, i do pray that you will not only be able to plant many seeds, but also be able to witness some of the harvest as well :D
    May God bless you now and always!
    Cam

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