My new favorite color is green, the color of growth. I’ve seen incredible things happen when a friend or I have given over all power to Jesus. When we realized that we are absolutely in no way in control, no matter how hard we try. Then when surrender finally happens, it’s complete freedom.
The word metanoia is the journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self, or way of life. That’s what the world race is. That’s what this life is. Metanoia and Growth.
These last four months have been uncomfortable, of course, because I’ve never been here before. Here as in whatever country I’m in. Here as in the complete trust in God and where he’s placing me. I’ve never been here before. I’ve never lived in such a trusting, loving, joyful, broken, honest, growing, euphoric environment before.
Some of the time life looks like rolling on the ground in laughter…and peeing your pants because you literally cannot control anything when your teammates make you laugh that hard. Other times it’s laying on the ground crying because “God’s wrecking my life” as we like to call it.
I’ve learned that if I am a follower of Christ, and I am not suffering in one way or another I’m doing life wrong. Suffering IS good. Who knew? When God brings out the things in you that are not of him so he can replace that space with newness and growth it’s SO good. But don’t get me wrong. It’s SO hard too. That’s where the wrecking comes from. He’s going to wreck you, pluck you, and empty you of everything you’ve filled yourself with that you thought you needed. But..(this is where it gets good), he’s going to plant newness and love and joy into those places. I promise. He’s going to take those dark, nasty holes you don’t like talking about and plant the most beautiful garden in them. Ahhh. Suffering is awesome.
We’ve never been this version of us before. We’re all blooming from the wounds where we once bled. We’ve learned that anytime we’re going to grow we’re going to lose something, lose whatever we cling to that keeps us safe. We’re losing habits that we’re comfortable with, losing familiarity. But this green garden that’s bursting at the seems is FILLED with the most beautiful spirit. We’re filled with seeds of love to spread all over this earth. If we all plant these seeds everyday, can you imagine how big the harvest will be?
