I have been doing a lot of running lately, and for a person who is not the most athletic it has surprisingly been so normal to me. I run from store to store gathering the things I need, I run from a meal with a friend, or I run to the next appointment. I run so much that I end the day exhausted and not able to fully process what I have even accomplished.
I have spent the last month working for Young Life at a camp in the middle of the Texas hill country. I experienced the joy of watching hundreds of middle schoolers and high schoolers say yes to Jesus each week as they surrendered their lives to the one who holds them in His hands. I was able to grow and serve alongside people who have so evidently declared to be kingdom builders and they welcomed ministry into their lives so boldly.
While I was there, I found myself being so caught up in wanting to perform the very best in my job or wanting to accomplish the most that I could in a day. I started running from event to event, from the store to the snack bar, or into town and back so quickly that I started to create an internal chaos. It took a forced morning of stillness at the end of week one and a witty lady in a coffee shop to remind me of the reason I was there. I was able to sit and process what the Lord had been doing in my heart and the heart of those around me. It also took that same lady telling me to slow down or I was going to miss it all for me to also realize it. It encouraged me in the way I do ministry and reminded me of how much goodness I can receive when I invite the Lord into every task I have to accomplish that day. It took so much pressure off of being perfect or quick. It allowed grace to enter into my heart and gave me the boldness to work and pursue the Lord with confidence. I was reminded that the work I was doing in Texas, and every day in life is for His glory.
As I leave today for this anticipated month of serving the Lord through ministry in Thailand and pack my life into another suitcase, I pray that the Lord would steady my pace. I pray that as I dive into a month of serving in Thailand with my team He would allow me to see. See His hand at our different ministry sights, see his work being done in the lives of the people we serve and our team, and see that throughout the chaos and fast paced world He remains constant. He has given us this abundant life and I pray this month I live it to the full. I am eager for what the Lord will reveal to me during these next few weeks of walking through Thailand. I am prayerful that He will use my team and I to grow His kingdom and shine His light. Also, I am prayerful that He will draw near in our hearts and reveal to us again the life-changing power of the gospel. This is just the beginning and I feel so blessed to be given a front row seat at the work the Lord is doing around the world.
