For the past week, I've been given the opportunity to travel to Darling, South Africa, a small farming community just an hour outside of Cape Town. Most commonly known for its wine and olives, Darling is a little serene countryside town with a whole lot of Jesus. What's striking about Darling is it's beauty. There are rolling hills, rows and the rows of farm lands and so much green. When looking at such a place, experiencing a sunrise or sunset, it's easy to see that God is here.
While it's pretty, and has been an amazing change of scene, the people and the work being done here has been the most honorable. The mission field is so vast and working for the Lord looks a lot of different ways but here in Darling, it's a non stop outreach from schools in the morning, to farm visits at night to twice weekly church services on different farms. Jesus is here with a power and passion.
My favorite part of any church service is worship. There's just something about being still and being able to worship with hands held high but in Darling, it looks a lot different. The worship is upbeat, lots of clapping and even dance moves. It's so full of energy and joy that it's hard to even remember the brokenness in a community with alcohol and/or drug issues.
I think that's how God wants us to look at our lives: so full of energy and joy that we don't look at the brokenness but the goodness in Him. God didn't leave Jesus hanging on the cross to constantly remind of us of being broken, He restored Jesus, brought Him back again three days later so we would remember healing, love, and forgiveness. While it's good to remember how far God has brought us out of brokenness, it's also important to remember His Love, His kindness and His joy. And with that, Darling has sealed a special place in my heart, reminding me of the constant joy God gives us, even through the hurts in life.
