At the end of this past month of May in Thailand, three dear people left this venture.
Alys and Andrew will return for future debriefs, but they aren’t on the race day in and day out any more. They were fantastic squad leaders! They already raced previously, but they spent the past 5 months leading us (B-squad).
They are lovers. They offer us the life God has for us – all the time, unconditionally. They see us through mercy; looking for Christ in us. They love when they are empty and they have nothing left; there isn’t another option (they wouldn’t want one). No matter how much time is spent together or how unlovable we are, they don’t avoid us or endure us, rather they choose to hang out with us and enjoy it. They are brave enough to address things we do wrong or need to work on because they love us. They pray for us. They interact in ways that let us see our value, and we are changed.
I want to love like that. I want to love like Christ. I want to be LOVE.
But look at me! I am tired, I am hot, and I am feeling like I’ve learned a lot on this trek but that I’m no longer being challenged. I love time with God, I love time to myself, I love exploring the places. But I need to step it up and I would appreciate prayers to that end. If I’m going to continue to grow this year I have to be the instigator.
How can I challenge myself to make the most of the time I have left? How can I engage deeply and challenge my team mates? How can I continually be available for giving away and not for myself? How do I see ways to reach out when I tick differently and how do I have courage to persevere when I’m resisted (as we seem to disbelieve how truly loved and valued we are – ? – maybe it’s just me?). God has been helping me to pursue love to over look offenses, to willingly and selflessly serve people, and to look to Him for comfort instead of other people.
What an opportunity I have on this trip! Please pray for me. I don’t want the easy way of keeping myself for myself. I want to let God rule me and do His works through me. I want to be soft and moldable – so much! Please pray that I make the most of every opportunity (there are so many people we come into contact with and so often I’m there lost in my own thoughts when I might be the only person they meet who knows Jesus. This makes me so sad (out of sympathy and regret that I could have been more available for God to use.). That I live in the knowledge of who Christ has made me to be in Him. That I become a lover like Andrew and Alys. That I become like Christ. That I become Love.
Misty was with my team this past month. She is good at loving. Please pray for her and her father. She went home to be with him because he recently found out he has stage three cancer. Please pray for him to come to know Jesus. Please pray for her encouragement and that she overflows with a wealth of love. We miss her!
I’m thankful for all three of them!
I love you!
Mere
For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14
