What does it mean 'to shift'?
In India it means to move. To change your location. When
you plan to move to a different house, you will mention that you are ‘shifting’
in a month.
Our new home. Dentist office on lower left. |
When you rent a house or apartment, what you get are the
concrete walls, roof and plumbing!
Unlike America, there are no kitchen cabinets or appliances, there are
no closets, water heater, fans or air conditioning units. Central heat is
unheard of!
Simple, Efficient work area. |
Shifting is a little more involved than simply packing up your personal belongings and moving. Arrangements had to be made for a gas cylinder, which comes with a 2-burner cooktop; a hot water tank called a ‘geezer’ was purchased and installed. Bedroom furniture was ordered – including a wardrobe and clothes rack in lieu of a closet.
Thankfully the church had furnished the kitchen and shared space. Gary and I don’t know the local languages (Hindi and Nepali) and relied heavily on our good friend Megha who ‘knows people' and is a skilled negotiator. Thank you Megha!
Cupboard and desk for storage. |
This physical move has caused a spiritual shift in my
heart. Spiritual ‘shifting’ is necessary
to avoid complacency. It changes what
we are accustomed to, breaks us out of the ‘status quo’ and propels us further
into God’s purpose for our lives.
My personal challenge is to choose wisely. As we develop new
routines, new schedules, new habits, I am forced to reevaluate how I spend my
days and recommit to trust the Lord fully, every day.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your
own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your
paths. Prov 3:5-6 NKJV
May the Lord direct your paths today as you trust Him in
every situation. Be open to ‘shift’. To change your mindsets and habits and
embrace His mind and habits.
Stay tuned for the next installment as we share “What’s in
Your Neighborhood”
and take you on a walk through our neighborhood.
I love this idea of "shifting"! I too have experienced spiritual Shifting and know it is designed by God uniquely for us according to our assignment from God. Each is different. Thank you Pat and Gart for your constant faithfulness to your unique assignment from our Fsithful Lord. Anxious to hear more! Smooches
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