GATHERING COCONUTS
“If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, everywhere your hand will guide me and your strength will support me.” Psalm 139:9,10
It was early in the morning on the Island of Boracay, my favorite time to walk the beach. The locals are setting up their stores for the day.
I noticed a Filipino man slowly climbing up the trunk of a very tall palm tree and stopped for a moment to watch him chisel footholds with a machete, carefully planning each step (notice him in the pic below).
The Filipino’s purpose of climbing that height was to gather the fruit, the coconuts. God calls us to gather the harvest, to share Jesus to the world. I don’t think I could ever scale a 40 ft palm tree, but I never dreamed that God would call us to the Philippines, completely on the other side of the globe from Atlanta.
He promises to never leave us, and He won’t give us anything that we can’t handle as long as we are behind His shield and in His strength.
So if God leads you to do something radical and you’re afraid of “heights,” know that He will be your tree climber Guide, He will go before you providing footholds each step of the way. Just don’t look down.
It was a privilege to spend time together in worship and teaching with these wonderful teams from our Jubilee school on Boracay and the staff at the Vista house. Looking forward to serving with these dedicated people soon. Look at all those smiles!
Susan and I will be moving to Boracay in six weeks, and as we transition to another country we would appreciate your continued prayers and support, that we would be held up and strengthened by our God who is our Shield and Protector.
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.
Steve & Susan