Constantly be asking yourself how you can glorify God better in each and every moment of your day.
Let me break it down for you honestly and raw.
I work a job I really don’t all that much enjoy this summer for extra income and believe me when I say I’m counting down the amount of days I have left until I leave for Training Camp. The people at work and that feeling of rejoicing after a day or week of hard work is over keep me going back to it each early morning I’d much rather be in bed.
But: I complain, a lot.
I feel stuck in this cycle of hating my weekday job, yet loving it because it leaves room for the smallest of seeds to be planted in a place where Kingdom Seeds may not always be in the hearts of those I work around. But while I’m thinking about seeds being planted for the Kingdom and about Jesus or something spiritually related, I’m still complaining in the deepest parts of my heart.
That’s frustrating for me. I know that complaining is not of God at all; complaining about something God brought me to, nonetheless. But you know what keeps running through my mind when I’m thinking about all this (the thing that helps me get through a tough day of shearing)?
God. Jesus. Training Camp. The World Race. I will be vulnerable and tired and hungry. BUT! I won’t be shearing trees or whacking weeds from under furry Christmas Trees. Maybe it will be wet at Training Camp, BUT! I am AT World Race Training Camp, I got called and I signed up for it… And MADE it to THE FIRST STEP in the Journey.
In life, there are levels of suck and tough situations both physically and emotionally, BUT, the level of suck is always measured out by the goodness.
For instance. I literally hate shearing trees. BUT. I have a job. I don’t like bending over or standing while doing tough work for a long period of time, BUT, it is creating muscle in my back, arm, and legs that I wouldn’t have, had I chosen a different job. I don’t like waking up, BUT, the sunrises are worth it when the clouds aren’t covering them up. AND, getting work done first thing in the morning until about noon and then having the rest of my day free is WORTH IT.
When I, personally, measure the negatives alongside the positives, positives always arise in the end and keep me moving forward. I may not always be vocal about that, but inside my head, I promise it’s happening. Because Jesus.
Did Jesus want to get whipped on the back? No. But He did it. Did Jesus want to be nailed to that cross? No. But He did it. He loved us enough to take on our sins to be forgiven.
When we realize that, that is when we must start weighing the costs. It cost a lot for Jesus to do what He did for us. Like, a lot. Beaten, scorned, laughed at, mocked, etc… My goodness the feelings He must have felt in those moments and He just took it. Me? I’d most likely talk back, I’d most likely get really sassy, or I’d just get angry. But none of those things are of God and that’s why Jesus never did any of that. He is the only perfect One. And the best part is that HE PAID IT ALL. And we’re here, free, because He paid it all.
THINK ABOUT THAT. Does that not blow your mind?!
Even as I’m complaining and thinking things completely not of Him, as I think about how I could have glorified Him better while at work, I am struck like a ton of bricks with all of my complaints. I’m still working on it with Jesus, but that questioning of “How could I have glorified Jesus better at work or in any every day situation?” has really been getting to me lately, and while I’m no saint at it quite yet, it has slowly been making a difference in how I go about my thinking at work now. I only hope to continue thinking in that way as I head to Training Camp and out on The World Race and endure just as tough, if not more mentally tough situations while I am gone.
Please be in prayer as I work this week ahead, that I could implement this thinking into my being as I am shearing trees, and that I would not wish time away as I prepare with Jesus and pack for two weeks of Training Camp in GA. Please also pray for my Squad, as they are going to be preparing just as much!
I also need help in praying fervently that I will have some sort of financial breakthrough when I am gone or return from Training Camp. We have all come so far since the beginning of this year and I need to raise 4,400 more by August 21 in order to meet my next $10,000 deadline for Launch on September 5th or 6th. I have already learned SO much from Jesus and from those who have come alongside me financially and in prayer during this journey. It truly wouldn’t be the same without you all helping me and also encouraging me (whether it be with an encouragement or financial donation) when I need it most.
If I were to raise that remaining 4,400 by help from friends and random donations alone in the next three weeks, I would eat something so crazy you wouldn’t believe it, hold an animal that scares me, and do something so outside my comfort zone that eating something crazy and holding an animal that makes me feel uncomfortable would look easy. But none of that matters compared to being able to bring the light and love of Jesus to the nations.
While the fun and crazy adventure stuff will be cool to see for you as a supporter, what is more important is the background work I’ll be doing with my Squad to bring Jesus to the least out in the World. Consider that as you pray about donating.
All my Love,
Ashley
