Surprise, You’re Giving the Sunday Sermon Right Now!

If this had happened back at home (pre-World Race), I’d be completely freaking out right now.  With no sermon in mind, no idea what we’ve been talking about and not even my own bible with its underlinings, I seem pretty doomed for failure. I am completely empty handed and empty-minded as I approach the podium… 

But For some reason, I am relatively unphased.  Impromptu sermon, no biggie.  God will get me through it.  Sure enough, I am reminded of one verse the singer had us look up at the beginning of the service and I start there.  Almost an hour later, I am saying a closing prayer and receiving compliments from the congregation.

The unexpected has become the norm so far this year.  God continuously throws unexpected obstacles in my path and somehow, I always come out a little stronger than before.  I have learned to appreciate how God wants to actively prepare us for greater things and that anything hard that comes our way is only for our benefit. 

A lot of these lessons boil down to control.  God is teaching me that I don’t need to be in control of my life, or have each day planned out.  Planning meetings, schedules and spreadsheets have been replaced with spontaneous prayer, unexpected declarations from God and a confidence that God will give us exactly what we need when we need it.  Coming from five years at a church that planned out everything to the most minute detail and a Bar Exam study schedule in which I had my entire day pre-organized, this new perspective has not come easy.  I still want to know what lies ahead and have my ideas all sorted out in advance.  But I am beginning to appreciate how too much planning can make it a lot harder to listen to God’s voice.  For instance, if I tell all my friends that I am going to meet them 7pm, I am much more hesitant to begin that 45 minute spiritual conversation with the Tuk Tuk driver at 6:50.

I’m learning to sacrifice my own desire to be comfortable.  In addition to all the creature comforts like warm showers, air conditioning, and cereal for breakfast, I am learning how to surrender my immediate preferences.  Concrete example: Today was our last day of ministry and I had some parting advice for one of our small group attendees–little did I know that my advice would result in him sharing his testimony and sobbing on my shoulder for the next 30 minutes.  Although it was time for the group to leave, and although I was sick, sweaty, and could hardly understand anything he was saying, I knew that he just needed someone to be there for him.  Although I probably didn’t say anything that will transform his life, I hope that just being his friend and showing him I care encourages him.  Although I will probably never see him again, and although my initial gut reaction wanted to just get it over with and head home, God reminded me once again that that’s not why I’m here.  Ultimately, my own preferences and comfort are just distractions from where God wants me to be. 

We leave tomorrow night for Thailand, where the guys and girls will be splitting up for the month.  The girls will be downtown working against the sex trafficking industry while the guys will be in the rural area doing manual labor (maybe building a church).  I am excited to see how God will use this month surrounded by other Godly men to continue to stretch me.  I have already been freed of some of the sins which haunted my past (see previous blog) and this has allowed me to view my issues of pride much more clearly.  Its possible that I won’t have internet access for awhile, but please send me emails telling me whats going on in your life.   It makes me a lot less homesick when I hear how life is going on back home.  [email protected].  For now, please enjoy some random pictures from this past month

Love you guys,
Brian