merry christmas from INDIA!
This month is all about transition and finding the rhythm and balance of being a squad leader. Christian and I have been traveling around India with Philip and Christy visiting the teams learning the ropes of what this is all supposed to look like. It has both challenged and encouraged me! I am learning so much just being in their presence and having the freedom to lead out and make decisions as they stand alongside us.
Right now we are in Ongole, India with four of the seven teams. I love it! God continues to show me how much of a relational person I am and my heart for discipleship. I am absolutly in LOVE with seeing people encounter the deep things of God, experience His presence and find freedom in knowing who they are as sons and daughters. My heart is so stirred and honored that I get to be apart!
Last night we hung out for Christmas eve together singing and dancing. It was so fun and beautiful. I looked around the room and had the realization that Jesus has answered one of my lifelong prayers. The desire to be apart of a huge family! This journey has brought me 47 new brothers and sisters! We've decorated our place with what Christmas decorations we could find in the Indian markets as well as home-made remedies and a birthday banner for Jesus. After all, Christmas is about celebrating His BRITHDAY right?!!
So, last night in the midst of celebating I was inspired by one of the women on our squad to give Jesus a present this year. I’ve never done that before. In fact, I have never even thought of it? It’s always been about me and getting the things that I want. But this year she challenged us to think about it. Last year her birthday present to Jesus was her P R I D E. I sat there for a minute and thought, yikes! What an awful gift. It’s like the old tale of getting a lump of coal for Christmas if you’ve been bad.
In sitting there an image began to form in my mind of her. She stood there with her arms extended, holding the present outward toward Jesus. It was the ugliest gift wrapping job I had ever seen. It didn’t even look like a present! But the image began to get clearer and clearer and I saw Jesus run towards her to accept it. He ran with such love in his step and warmth in His smile, as if to communicate overwhelming thanks of it being the best birthday gift ever.
This hit me at my core and rattled my insides. This is who Jesus IS.
A man who says YES.
yes to my junk.
yes to my fear.
yes to my selfishness.
yes to my rejection.
yes to my impurity.
yes to my failures.
yes to my doubts.
yes to my questions.
yes to my anger.
yes to my loneliness.
yes to my impatience.
yes to my judgments.
yes to my sorrow.
yes to my suffering.
It’s the most beautiful exchange ever.
Happy Birthday Jesus, I give you my hesitations.
