OH MY GOSH.
Today is the day (ish).
This morning I fly out of Nova Scotia to begin my journey on the World Race.
OH MY GOSH.
(bear with me, this will form into more real thoughts as I calm down)
Okay. Let’s actually begin.
Today I fly out of Nova Scotia to Atlanta, Georgia for World Race launch. I actually have a 14-hour layover in Toronto first, which is absolutely PERFECT because I get to go to my dear friends’ wedding! I’m so excited that the way I get to leave Canada is with my university family of Christ, watching our beautiful friends commit their lives to each other in Christ. (I’M SO EXCITED)
This morning as I opened up my Bible for the semi-last time before I officially begin the World Race, I opened up to John 15. For those of you who don’t know, John 15 is somewhat of a classic in the church – “I am the vine and you are the branch” – but it’s a classic for a reason. Here, Jesus reminds his disciples of five things:
1. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you (vs. 3)
2. If you remain in me and I in you, and you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (vs. 5)
3. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given that you may bear fruit that will last, to the Father’s glory (vs. 7, 8, 16)
4. Remain in my love (vs. 9)
5. Love each other as I have loved you (vs. 12)
As I get ready to go and begin this journey, I’m so comforted that Christ chose to remind me of these truths. If I spend these next 11 months trying to bear fruit, trying to share the Gospel on my own accord, trying to do ‘good’ without being actually attached to the vine – being in Christ – I can’t do anything. But when we remain in Christ, in His love and goodness, bearing fruit is not only a by-product, but it gives us permission to ask whatever we want and know that it will be given that the fruit may last.
Last night I was so convicted of not wanting to pursue miracles, but instead wanting to love God’s people and have miracles happen just as a simple by-product of that love. I was so encouraged when this morning I was reminded through John 15 to remain in God’s love, to choose to remain in it, and to love others as He has loved me. And if that love is to be expressed through crazy healing or words of knowledge (it’s wild cool stuff, my friends), then so be it. But would the rush of seeing the supernatural never be what drives us to share the Gospel. Instead, would an honest and true love for God’s people be our drive, and would that lead to fruit that lasts.
If you made it this far, thanks for bearing with my too-excited-to-calm-down thoughts. Hopefully some of that made sense to you.
But today as my squad and I begin this journey I would love if you could partner with me in praying for a genuine love for each person we encounter. Pray fo us to see them as Papa sees them and love them as Papa loves them. Pray that we would always choose to remain in Papa’s love that we may love each other and love those around us. Pray for unity amongst our teammates as we embark on living together and ministering together. And lastly, pray that we would be a blessing and a light to each and every person we meet – would we stop for the one and love them well, just as our Father has loved us.
Thanks for reading, thanks for praying, thanks for loving me so well.
And so we begin!!
