"Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart." Psalm 97:11
"Light is sown" is also translated "Light dawns for." At the start of each new year, I like to take some time to reflect on the past year, all the adventures, the moments that challenged my core, and the triumphs and breakthroughs. Plus, I tend to have more than my share of misadventures to reflect on. For this moment, this is my verse. Over the past few months, I have seen the light dawn. This year, instead of recounting the tales of 2012, I want to celebrate the breakthroughs.
One of the commentaries, I read on this verse expounded on the term "sown" explaining that the word means scattered. The light is scattered. Like the sea of candles at a Christmas Eve service, or a firework bursting in the sky, the light is scattered across the dark. When we see just a spark or a single candle, the glow can be dim, sometimes even sad in it's loneliness in the vast darkness, but the combination of lots of little lights results in something beautiful and striking.
My new year started with a light show, both literally and figuratively (and yes, the picture above is from our country fireworks shoot off).
God has answered so many prayers recently. Not that he hadn't heard them the first time. I think he was answering all along, but it wasn't until recently that I was able to see his hand so evidently. So here are some of the scatterings of light:
Did I happen to mention I have a new job? Yeah, I do. And it's amazing. Through a crazy series of events, that I may relate in a separate blog, I was offered a position at the International Monetary Fund. The IMF is a UN institution that serves to "ensure the stability of the international monetary system-the system of exchange rates and international payments that enables countries (and their citizens) to transact with one other. This system is essential for promoting sustainable economic growth, increasing living standards, and reducing poverty (www.imf.org/external/np/exr/facts/glance.htm)." Basically, it's a pretty cool place for me to work. It was an adjustment in roles, but I love the diversity. It's also an ideal position from which to learn more about the topics I'm specifically interested in.
It was in anticipation of this type of position that I moved to D.C. Through the course of the year, I wrestled with a lot of doubt over whether leaving Moldova was the right choice, and whether I was on the right track, but God is faithful. He knew exactly when I needed to have the job I desired, and he provided all along the way.
When I first moved to D.C. in October 2011, I told God that I had to have a job by January, or I would be broke and have to move back home. He provided a temporary job for December and, in the middle of December, provided a permanent position that started on January 3. In the beginning, the job was intriguing and challenging, but it wasn't in my field of interest. I begged God to provide a different job. I confessed that I didn't want to be there a year and would really love to have a different job around November. I started my current job in mid-November. Hey, God is ok with very specific prayers!
I prayed for a church that understood our primary purpose here is to love God and love people. I walked into Cherrydale that first Sunday to a banner that said, "Our mission is to spread a passion to love God and people above all else." Come to find out, they don't just say that, they mean it!
I have seen God bring about radical changes in the perspectives of some of my closest friends. He has provided promotions and new jobs to friends, and the opportunity for one to finally be able to return to university. He brought healing and relief to Logan, my "other brother" who lives and works in Brazil, when doctors discovered a tumor in his knee. He is back in Brazil with his crazy amazing wife, and together they've launched an English school that has quickly taken off.
He has brought a few really incredible new friends into my life, something I'd been praying for in this city, and new opportunities to use my skills to serve within my community.
Finally, after the ups and downs of this past year, I am at peace with where I am, content that this is exactly where I should be and what I should be doing for now, and so happy with life.
Psalm 92:1-4 says,
"It is good to praise the LORD
and make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.
For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD;
I sing for joy at the works of your hands."
This is my testimony, that my God, the Lord God, is faithful and true. His love is steadfast, and he is truly working all things together for the good of those who love him. I am blessed beyond measure.
Hoping that you see the scattered lights this year too,
Emily
