I’ve now been in Guatemala for about six weeks now. Hard to believe! God has been teaching me many lessons along the way. Some things are new and some things He’s teaching me again. God does this to us because He loves us. A loving Father will teach us things again and again until we understand what He is teaching us for the specific season we’re in.
My time in Guatemala has been exciting, challenging, stretching, and growing me to become more like Christ. There are many things the Lord has been teaching me while I’m here. Here are a few things I’ve learned or re-learned since I’ve been in Guatemala.
1. Being Vulnerable isn’t a weakness but it’s a strength. For a long time I didn’t want to be viewed as the weak one in a group of people. I wanted to be viewed as the strong person. The one who people leaned on for advice, guidance, and being a good friend. If I talked about my weaknesses and be honest where I’m at then I thought in my head will this impact me negatively with other people in my life. Sometimes, I think this goes a far of me thinking that I’m not a leader or if it involves a workplace that I will be passed up for an opportunity because I’m too raw or real. That is a lie from the pit of hell. Paul in the Bible was bold and a straight shooter with his words. Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 boasted about his weaknesses so the power of Christ can be working in and through Him. This doesn’t mean he boasted about his sin, but it does mean he honest, open, and real with God. This is a strength of a follower of Christ. If were vulnerable with our walk and laying our crap down on the table this will bring you freedom and will set others free because of your authenticity of where your life is at in this season.
2. If you want something go after what you want. In life not many things are handed to us on a silver platter. Something I like is intentional good relationships with people. One of my love languages is quality time. Good quality time to me can look like watching movies, working out, having quality conversations about life, or me being a good listener and hearing about what’s going on in your life. Being here in Guatemala I’m around new people. To get to know and have relationships with others I’ve have to be intentional with my time and have to take the first step of initiating the relationships. If you want a certain job then polish up the resume, have a nice bow tie, and rock out the interview well! In everything what you get out of it is what you put into it.
3. What’s in your heart is going to flow out of your heart. What we put in our minds is going to flow out. If we’re thinking bad thoughts about others eventually that’s going to come out of our hearts. I’m not a very good person at the whole “fake it until you make it concept.” Especially in my facial expressions or verbal cues. If someone is speaking and I agree with the point they made you’re going hear that’s good, Amen, etc. When someone says something I don’t agree with I’m going to either be very silent or state how I feel. A couple of people have said to me they can look in my eyes and see if I’m doing well or not. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t so much like this but in a way it’s awesome because God can get me back on track quickly. Proverbs 4:23 says everything flows from the heart for it is the wellspring of life.
4. Leading is serving. Leading isn’t all about having a title it’s about serving others. Sometimes leading looks like filtering the water for your house. Drying the dishes without getting noticed or recognized. Being a leader doesn’t mean your the loudest person or the one who does everything within how God has gifted you in. It’s empowering others to step into new things and being alongside supporting them in their calling.
