Be Still My Soul

Uganda transformed my heart.

You see, I could say Uganda changed my heart, but I would be wrong. A small change didn't occur... but an entire transformation did. My eyes see different things, my heart feels different ways, and the Lord looks completely different to me.

This transformation is much deeper than "I saw poverty and want to help the orphans", this transformation roots deep within me, and requires me to love people. Two simple words of action, that require a great deal of faith and practice. 


Loving people was natural to me in Uganda. It was easy to love those people. Not for the reason that they were poor, or I felt sympathy towards them, but because they were truly beautiful in every way. 

They had good hearts. 

Coming back to America has been a struggle, because I see my life, and the lives of those around me. The word that keeps popping into my head is "stuff". "Stuff" could very well describe much of America. Things, items, objects- we live for it. But I question myself now and who I am apart from this "stuff". 

1 John 2:15-17 says "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

After my first two days in Uganda, I remember thinking, "This is great, but I can't wait to go home and drive my car. To go to Chic-Fil-a, see my friends, go spend money on clothes, eat a snow cone, and live a normal life."

The problem is, our "normal" is so far from what God has planned for us. 

I challenge you, as I have challenged myself, to look at your life and slowly start removing the "stuff". Things that may distract you from God, or even from life. Cell phones, laptops, iPads, iPods, movies, t.v., getting your nails done, doing your hair..."stuff". 

It is all just stuff

I have good news: Our God is not a God of "stuff", but a God passionately in love with you, and the eternal value you hold. 

Let us praise Him, for He is good.