A letter from Terri Appel, Lay Director for Women's Walk #40
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.” (Isa.26: 3-4)
My mom and Aunt Babe first directed me to this verse; both women have played pivotal roles in my spiritual formation.
I had not thought about it for years. However, more recently it has come back into focus, through many soul-searching
personal revelations and prayers. When I was asked to be the lay director of the Women’s Walk #40, it came to mind again.
I left it… parked firmly on the back burner of my mind… thinking it was much too personal to consider as the team verse.
It however came up again as a random reference in a telephone conversation with my Mom and again in a devotional and
after three reminders, I figured the Lord was trying to get my attention through this verse.
I am repeatedly reminded that peace is not some ethereal goal, but a trait that is fully possessed by us as children
of God when we keep our focus on Him…focus of mind, heart, body and soul. As we trust in the Lord, our eternal rock,
there is nothing that can shake us, not people, not circumstances, not sin, not change. We have an eternal firm
foundation as we trust in the Lord.
In the Amplified Bible version of this verse, the meaning of trust is expanded to include committing to the Lord,
leaning fully on Him and hoping confidently in the Lord our Eternal Rock. I thought that was good advice for me
for this Walk, and the promise of leaning on the Rock Eternal… perfect peace. What a privilege to serve, to give
fully of oneself, and to receive so much more than we give; only God’s economy can work that way.
As I was praying through the potentially anxiety ridden time of team selection, this verse kept me anchored in
God’s perfect peace. The team Abba Father has selected to bless Walk #40 with, inspired me in their devotion to
serving the Lord, to serving one another and to serving the Emmaus community. We have been bonded in prayer and
encouraging one another to persevere in our faith journeys, to share thoughts and revelations, to share burdens,
and to rely upon the Eternal Rock. These wonderful women, many of whom are first timers in their specific roles
on the team, have been living witnesses of this verse throughout these past few months… it has been a wonder and
a joy to witness the power of God working in, and through, these surrendered lives. I truly believe that Christ’s
light and love will shine through them in an awesome way on this Walk; I wait upon the Lord with joyful expectation
for them.
This team is not just comprised of those selected in defined team roles, but it is also made up of many of you who
from behind the scenes have offered your prayers, love, support and commitment to this team. I have been blessed
to receive encouraging calls, offers for help and messages from many in this community of faith, just to let Team #40
know that there are prayers backing us up, and hands and feet at the ready to serve as needed. This agape type of
commitment and love can only come from the Spirit of God. I praise Him for each of you. God places us into community,
into His family, not because it is always easy or that we will always understand exactly what our call is at the time,
but so that we will know Him and His purposes better as we learn to trust in the Rock Eternal with the promise of
perfect peace. My prayer is that as Team#40 is learning to trust Him and rely on that peace, so will the entire
Hong Kong Emmaus Community recognize that God’s grace is sufficient, His peace is perfect and His love for us
everlasting. Abba Father, the Lord is our Rock Eternal; He is the giver of perfect peace as we commit to, lean
fully on, and confidently hope in Him!
De Colores!
In Christ’s Love,
Terri
March 2008
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