1. 1. The Lord is moving, and he is moving quickly. It’s not like I wasn’t growing back in the States, but out here, everything is accelerated. I think some of it is because, unlike at home, I can’t run away from or ignore what he’s teaching me. Where would I go?!?! It’s also because I asked for it. I asked him to work in me and through me (I asked for this a short time after panicking at training camp when I realized I’m going to change no matter what so it might as well be the changes the Lord wants!!), and he is answering that prayer every single day. He’s relentlessly inviting me to be more like his son, and I keep saying “yes”. That’s what I want too. Therefore, I’m willing to go where he asks me to go, do what he asks me to do, and change what he asks me to change.
2. 2. Everything I said for #1 is true, but that doesn’t always mean I like it. Change can be brutal, but it’s so good…and so worth it. I always try to quickly move through the hard part of it and pop out on the other side. I wish it worked like that, but the Lord is too good of a teacher and wants the change to be permanent. So that means it’s going to take time, and it’s going to be hard. Sometimes I think about the fact that there are 8ish months left and wonder if I will hold up for that long with all the things he’s been working on in me. I probably won’t, and that’s a good thing. He’s been continually breaking me down during these first three months. More and more…more and more. Each time I just say, “Yep, you were right. That did need to be worked on/surrendered/repented of/or claimed freedom from. Surely there isn’t more though is there?” Yes…yes, there is.
3. 3. I love my team. They are so great. I’ve laughed with them and cried with them. They have loved me and supported me so well during these first few months, and I’m so proud to fight with them and for them. We’re all going through tough stuff individually or as a group, but we have worked so hard to do it together. After being in community, I can’t imagine doing this without my teammates or squad mates.
4. 4. If you’re asked to do something by someone for the purpose of furthering the kingdom of God, you just say “yes”. Okay, sorry, one quick story. Last Friday I was at an evangelism event in the mountains. I would tell you the name of the village, but I have no idea where I was…somewhere in the Philippines on the side of a mountain…that’s all I know. Anyway, it was a Friday night, and I was exhausted from the week. I was dirty and sweaty after just playing basketball with the kids. We didn’t know that we weren’t being fed so we didn’t pack any food, and I was hungry. I was about out of water too and didn’t really know if there was drinking water anywhere around. It was too long of a drive to get back that night, and we didn’t have anywhere lined up to sleep yet. Yeah, I was not in the mood for an evangelism event. So I stopped and walked away from everyone and just prayed minutes before the event started. I didn’t pray about the water (we later found a store open at 11:30PM that was selling water). I didn’t pray about the food (we were surprised with an amazing meal made by a pastor’s family around midnight). I prayed about my attitude. God changed that whole night. He changed my attitude and perspective in an instant. It was actually quite amazing. As soon as I got back to the group, the event leaders asked for one of us to share our testimony and a Word for 15 minutes. Again, you just say “yes”. There’s no way I could have done that three months ago. I didn’t worry about it a bit. The Holy Spirit instantly gave me complete peace about it, and the Lord used my words. Later that night, we prayed for healing in around 100 people, prayed for salvation in others, and then danced the night away. The Lord is doing too much for us just to sit by as spectators.
5. 5. Finally, I love the Lord. As hard as that stuff is that I was talking about in #1 and #2, I know that I follow a God who loves his kids. He created me for a purpose and has plans for me. He wants to do things to bring his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, and he has asked me to be a part of his work. However, I can’t do it well unless I become increasingly more like his son who he sent to bring the kingdom through his life, death, and resurrection. I also can’t do it well unless I let the third member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, be my strength and guide my every move. I am too often resistant to those things and mess up all the time. Again, God loves his kids. His endless patience and grace for me leaves me in awe.
