Light in the Darkness

It’s been a week in this strange new place; it has been filled with all kinds of different emotions, expectations and experiences of both feeling excited, a little anxious and even sometimes disheartened. It was clear from the beginning that this would be a big step of faith for me, and it has proved to be just that, I’m certainly not a person who has experienced a lot of change in my life, so while change is very hard for me, it is also at the same time quite necessary. I believe that it is important to move out of our comfort zone to gain critical perspectives of life and the world around us. I also believe that we should be constantly stepping out of our comfort zones, they may not need to be major ones (like moving to the other side of the world by yourself) but small ones day by day, by deciding to get involved in something new or doing something that maybe brings us to a place to feel a little uncomfortable or out of the ordinary.

Work on the one hand, is providing many opportunities to learn for others who are more experienced in my field and to gain valuable insight into the world of environmental consulting, although I don’t think I’m destined to do this for the rest of my life, it is probably were I should be right now. On the other hand, it has been a slow start as a lot of the projects our Middle East office were working on have been put on hold because of the economic crisis, which has hit here quite badly (a lot of the construction companies just don’t have any money),so I have not exactly been busy with anything to exciting so far. Obviously starting a new job you have to give it time to settle in and be involved. In the mean while its giving me some very thought provoking time about being here ( maybe a little to much).

Below is a picture I took last night on the roof of my hotel, I went up there after work, to read my bible and pray and its amazing how God draws near to you as you draw near to him (He is always so faithful). As I looked out towards the sun setting over Dubai, with the mosque below me that wakes me up every morning, I was reminded, that even in the places of darkness, there is light because were we are the spirit of God is, with us and inside of us at all times. "If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” John 14:15-20.

There is a really heavy spiritual atmosphere here, different to that experienced in the western world, both thou unable to accept of comprehend the spirit of God for very different reasons.But I believe that there are some exciting things that are going to happen in this city this year. There is an air of expectation and anticipation in my spirit and my heart. There is always light in the darkness, whether its sun by day or the moon and stars by night... Darkness cannot hide.

Looking out from the roof of my hotel over the pool and into the setting sun over the City of Dubai