As I write this, there is just under 48 hours until our team departs from Hong Kong.

Do I feel prepared? The short answer and the honest answer is no. I feel that I am not settled and quiet enough to be sensitive to God and to serve Him with an undivided heart. In the weeks leading up to now, my schedule has become more and more hectic. Apart from my work at the pre-school, I have had dinners and reunions and retreats and bible study preparation and a whole lot of other things to occupy my time. And all this is on top of preparation for Egypt (materials, lesson planning, things to pack, things to consider). I am so very caught up that I am beginning to lose sight of what is most important.

I am usually a very calm, patient and steady person. I don't let deadlines or pressure situations make me panic because when I take things slowly, as they come and one at a time, I can think and act carefully to the best of my ability. I am thankful for this blessing because it allows me to appreciate His guiding hand in my life, when I am patient and sensitive to His will. No matter how rushed or problem filled a situation might be, I like to take a certain time out during my day, to be still and meditate, to do my devotions and to pray. It is an uninterrupted time slot where anything and everything that I am burdened with does not enter and I can fully focus on God.

The things that have been pushing me off track lately are things of this world - meeting deadlines, attending events, planning for the logistics of a Mission Trip. What I have failed to plan for is to spend quiet time with God. As a result, I have not had the peace, the clarity and the right purpose for doing the things that I do.

Even though the agenda for the next two days are fully packed, I am choosing to take the time to write about this, because in sharing with you readers, I am also taking time out to remind myself to slow down and to remember that Christ is the reason that I do all these things.

Today in our service, we sang Undivided Heart, reflecting on the importance of giving God all of heart, all of our focus and our utmost. Right now, I am once again challenging myself to have enough trust in God to let go of all my worries and lay them at His feet instead. Because if I fight these battles when I am not right with God, then these battles will never be won with a purpose.

Is God your reason and your focus today?