From a Full Heart
I’m admittedly shocked by how fast the school year’s flown by. As a student it’d be a different story, but I’m a little surprised that we’re already in March with a few more months of classes, and, if I’m being honest, that I’ve done more than just survived. Winter has disappeared and Tirana is in full bloom. All of the new grass looks an electric green and I’ve enjoyed watching the trees break their buds out my window. Since February I’ve seen a much broader perspective on what it means to teach and pleasantly surprised at how a teacher’s calling can be so much more than what happens in the school building Monday-Friday.
The middle school had their annual Elevate Retreat, an overnight trip at a small camp outside of the city. Driving up to the camp before forty 10-13 year olds were running rampant on the grounds I was just struck by this enveloping sense of quiet that I’d been eager to sit with. Quiet was a theme I spent a lot of time considering in February emphasized by a decision to fast from music for the month as well as a compelling sermon on the power of quiet from John Mark Comer. As we were considering the theme of Hebrews 9:16 with the truth of the Gospel as an ‘anchor for our souls’, a lot of the conversation it sparked in my small group with 6th grade boys was on the topic of personal encounter with God, the creator of the Universe. How does spending time with God now look different than a heavenly eternity in God’s presence? What does it mean for me to be in a personal relationship with a Trinitarian God? I’ll admit I was unprepared to respond to some of their deeper curiosities. I didn’t know how to explain Heaven, or the Trinity, or what it meant to literally ‘sit’ in the presence of God. What I became aware of explaining the importance of anchoring to Christ to these sixth graders was a fundamental question I had to ask myself- how invested am I in my relationship with the Christ I claim I’m clinging to? I’ve been sitting with a simple statement from a tea-tag on a recent morning cup of rooibos- “Silence isn’t an absence, but a presence”.
I’m convinced any time we as believers take dedicated time to sit in the presence of God He will meet us there, and I’m seeing many of these middle schoolers’ softened to the work of the Potter on their hearts. Please be in prayer as GDQ continues to be a ‘throwing wheel’ for the formation of these young believers.
A couple life-giving personal joys from this month:
We had our GDQ staff retreat in Durres right after the Elevate retreat. Activities included a hike, early morning trail run, and worship at the seaside.
I travelled to Rome with a group of teachers to race my first half marathon running from Rome to Ostia on the Tyrrhenian Sea. There’s no better way to justify eating copious amounts of pasta, pizza and gelato than following it with an ‘I’ll run this off tomorrow’.
Celebrating March 7th, Teacher’s Day in Albania!
Some great friends of mine from my Wheaton days visited from the States for a long weekend. Many late-night-turned-early-morning conversations.
My heart is full.
Last week our high schoolers joined students from five other international Christian schools for the ACSI Honor Choir in Budapest, Hungary; something I participated in a couple of times during my GDQ years. I quite enjoyed not being the one who had to sing through days long rehearsals, but what a treat to return to a world I have many fond memories of. It was a special experience watching these younger MKs build such tight relationships with their peers from other schools in such a unique context and how a common desire to worship and celebrate music sparked up the first Honor Choir post-COVID.
There was an open mic opportunity during one of the morning devotionals and I was overwhelmed by the number of students who boldly stood up and shared what the Lord was stirring in their hearts. A student from Black Forest Academy shared Romans 12:9-21;
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This is a passage that’s been ringing in my ears since hearing about the Lord’s work at Asbury University and I’m praying that this generation of believers would have the call to ‘overcome evil with good’ burned into their hearts. I think this generation senses just how unfulfilling the World can be and are so so hungry to personally experience an outpouring of God’s love that mobilizes them to live their countercultural faith boldly. I hope you’ll pray this with me.
Peace to you all-
Aaron.
Beautifully said Aaron! I always enjoy your writing.