The honeymoon stage is over and the Race is my new reality. With nearly completing month three, I’m realizing this is going to look way different than what I thought. It’s going to be harder than what I had mentally prepared myself for. I will be stretched past my comfort level and then maybe a little bit further. I’m going to be molded and shaped in ways I’m not really ready for. There are battles I’m going to have to fight that weren’t in my top ten reasons for signing up for this “trip.” And one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned this far is that I can’t do any of this in my own strength. That’s a given you would think, right? Wrong. Some of us have to learn the hard way.
This month my team has an “Ask the Lord” (ATL) month. We are basically allowing God to lead us to where He wants us in Nicaragua. Our goal is to find ministry contacts who want to have World Race teams come and serve alongside them in their ministry. It’s a month for completely relying on God’s guidance and provision. There is no way this month can be done out of my own understanding. It can’t be done out of my team’s understanding. It definitely can’t be done by either of our own strengths.
Why do we think we can do everything ourselves? Why do we think our way is so much better? Why do we have to be constantly reminded of our Father’s love as opposed to just accepting it from day one and living and breathing it everyday after?
This morning I was reminded of how Christ is our advocate.
1 John 2:1-2 says this, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Jesus Christ, the Righteous One is fighting for us. He knows the good, the bad, and the ugly and yet still chose to be our advocate. He knows our sinful nature and yet everyday shows us an unconditional love by his death on the cross. He wraps us up and protects us when we are sick or afraid. He steers us back when we have lost our direction and purpose. Best of all, my God is a gentleman who patiently waits for us to choose Him. He desires fellowship with me, a sinner who has been made perfect through Him. He is, and always will be, our advocates. Rest in that peace everyday.
