This month we have been in Lima, Peru partnering with multiple churches. We got to help run kids programs, pray over people & preach at churches. With also partnered with Esperanza Estacíon (Hope Station), getting to help sand & paint their future apartment and teach English to the neighborhood kids. It was cool to be working alongside different churches and seeing how they are spreading the good news and loving on the people in Lima. During our last week, we were with Gospel Church and had the opportunity to teach at their youth program Saturday night.
So for those of you who know me, I do not like public speaking. I get really anxious and it’s hard for me to say yes and step up when it comes to speaking in front of people. The Lord put it on my heart though to speak at the youth service. Hebrews 12 has been put on my heart many times through out the past 9 months. I recently listened to a podcast on sonship and this idea of why we struggle as Christians. So I decided to step up, say yes, and speak in front of some youth kids. So I wanted to share with you all what God put on my heart to share. (Hebrews 12:1-13)
Everyone has struggles in their life, whether it’s with family, friends, drinking, job-related, or really anything. Sometimes as Christians we think life will get easier when we accept Christ or that our struggles with magically disappear, but that’s not true. You might think, why doesn’t God take this struggle away or if God really cared, then why am I still struggling? There are 2 reasons we struggle:
- You struggle as sons/daughters
- You struggle because you are sons/ daughters.
In the beginning of Hebrews 12, it talks about throwing off things that “hinder and entangle.” From the start we need to be trying to stop the sin/struggle we are in. God knows we are going to have struggles and tough times, but he tells us exactly what we need to do: FIX OUR EYES ON HIM! When you accept God into your heart, you become sons and daughters of the Most High God! Being a son and daughter means you will still struggle because you have chosen to follow God. The devil is scared when more and more people come to Christ, so he tries to do whatever he can to make you stumble and fall. In verse 7 it says, “ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.” (NIV) God uses those hardships to grow you. I heard this saying in a podcast I listened to, “ You are not fighting to get on the team; you’re fighting because you are on the team.” This reminds me of any sports team. You work hard to get picked for the team and you don’t stop working hard once you’ve made it. You keep practicing, doing the best you can, even if there are tough moments along the way. You want to be the best for your game and keep striving to be better. That is what it looks like to be on God’s team.
So if we are sons and daughters, then why does he still let me struggle? Doesn’t he want what’s best for me? This goes into the 2nd reason: You struggle because you are sons and daughters. God disciplines those he loves. He is training & shaping you. When I was in high school, I struggled with drinking, how I looked, and with wanting to be liked by others. I cared about what other’s thought about me. My identity was not truly rooted in Christ. Even once I rededicated my life to Christ when I was 17, I still struggled with some of the same things. I didn’t understand why God didn’t free me from those struggles. I had to keep going to God and surrendering my struggles to Him and asking for help. Not only did I go to God, but to people I trusted in my community. Even today there are moments when I still struggle with how I look or wanting to be liked, but the difference now is that I know I am God’s daughter. I’ve learned that struggles are hard and they really suck sometimes, but God uses them to grow us and make us stronger. If God didn’t discipline us, then we wouldn’t be his sons & daughters. God allows us to struggle to make us strong because he cares. He will make you fight! Fight to overcome whatever struggle is in your life right now! In verse 11 it says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. “ (NIV) God will use your struggle to grow you; you just have to chose to fight through it.
When you have moments or doubts or think it’s too hard to fight, go to God & go to your community. In verses 2-3 it says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (NIV) Remember what Jesus has done for you. He will use your struggles for his good! You are His sons and daughters.
It was nerve-racking, but awesome to be able to share what God had put on my heart. At the end of my message, I had the students write their struggles on a piece of paper and bring it up the altar to represent giving their struggles to Jesus. While they were writing God put 2 of the girls on my heart to be specifically praying for. I didn’t get a chance to talk with them, but I will be praying for them.
I want to write a blog answering any questions you all may have for me about my race:) Please comment, Facebook, or email me with any questions you have!
