If you didn’t already notice but I like lists. Here are five things I took away from my time at launch.
- “A curse without a cause can’t land". You are only offended when you are offend-able; this is important part of living in close community such as we are on the World Race.One of my personal goals for myself this year is to find my soul contentment in who God has made me and who He is calling me to be.I want to find all satisfaction in knowing that I am a daughter that has been beautifully and wonderfully made. We all have the choice to make:seek out constructive criticism that can help shape and mold us into the people God has intended us to be OR we can let opinions and offenses of others break us down and ruin our self image.
- When living in a loving and gracious way it is not usually emotionally satisfying. Living in community such as this there are going to be times where the things I am called to do and say may ruffle feathers and may not always be deeply appreciated even though they are coming from a loving place. I have gone through the leadership training and been in constant communication with God regarding my role as a team leader but I know a lot of this time as a team leader is going to mean praying a lot BEFORE I say something difficult, praying AFTER I say or do something difficult as part of my roles as team leader. I know this role is going to grow and stretch me more than I can even imagine. God has called me into this season specifically to serve my team in this way but I also know it is not always going to be easy. I look forward to seeing what that looks like to rely on God in this ways; to guide me as a leader and in my relationships. There is something to be said about relationships guided by the love and direction of God.
- God is going to be waiting at the airport when we get there. He has been in these nations since the beginning of time; He is doing work there and He has now called us to just “show up”. He is the God of the nations. He presence is alive and moving in these places we are going and now He has called His children there to do specific work He needs us to do. God knows what the people need and He is setting up the divine appoints necessary to further His kingdom and I am apart of this plan. God has chosen me to do His work in these nations. I pray I act upon all appoints that have been set up for me; I pray I have the words and actions to plant the seed of His love for His children I encounter.
- Remember to pray for God’s will and not my own. I have a choice to pray for what would make my life easier and better such as an awesome seat on the 27 hour bus ride OR I can pray that He places me on the bus where He wants me because I may have the opportunity to sit next to a teammate that needs encouragement and prayer. So instead of sleeping away the bus ride in an awesome comfy seat I would be blessed with the opportunity to pour into one of my teammates. I don’t want to use my prayers for my own will I want to live out God’s will for my life because His plans will always be more beautiful than my own. I trust Him.
- God keeps confirming His calling upon me to BE BOLD. If you have read any of my blogs the topic of being bold has come up before. On our last night here at launch in Atlanta we had a worship session where I sat on the ground and had a conversation with God. He again told me; “Katelyn Be BOLD”. He spoke into my heart and told me not to be afraid. I know as a team leader and as a fellow sister in Christ I want to have the courage to speak life into those around me. I want to be able to lovingly and graciously call the woman on my team to go further in their talents and their relationship with God. I pray for discernment in those difficult conversations; to say what needs to be said; nothing more nothing less.
This morning as my squad and I prepare to depart for Albania I am feeling a peace that God has us safely in the palm of His hand. We were told our ministry is going to be working with kids at a summer camp. I am so excited to work with children; to have the opportunity to pour into them and also the opportunity to be silly and crazy with them. O and our squad is going to all be together this month; WOOT WOOT!!
