Just Be a Lamp!

“Lord, it’s approaching too quickly and I’m unprepared.”
“Lord, I have too much baggage and crap going on in my life to do this.”
“Lord, HOW am I going to survive without all the comforts of my ‘normal’ life?”
“Lord, it’s too hard. Don’t make me do it.”
“Lord, what’s gonna happen back at home while I’m gone? I’ll be too homesick and miss my family and friends too much.”
“Lord, I can always go at another time. What about later?”
“Lord, do I really even know You well enough to do this?”
“Lord, I’m insufficient. I think You chose me by mistake.”
“Lord, I’m simply not ready. I can’t do it.”
 
Has God ever laid a calling on your life about which you thought any or all of the statements above? He has for me. Believe it or not, I’ve been saying these, and more, things to God every day for the past week or so; as the day of departure approaches, I become more and more unsure of whether I can really go through with doing the World Race. During training camp last month, many people were saying how they were already having freak outs about leaving on the Race, but at that time, I had had absolutely none of that going on and couldn’t really figure out what the big deal was. I was cool as a cucumber and planned on breezing through the next six weeks until launch totally at ease. That lasted about another three weeks. After that, my mind became flooded with, “You want me? ME to go and proclaim Your word to the ends of the Earth? You want ME to be your light into the darkest corners of the world? Don’t you know who I am, what I’ve done, and what continues on in my heart every day? Father, You must be mistaken. I’m neither worthy nor qualified. Send someone else.”
 
Relax! No, it’s not you He’s sending.
 

 
Then Jesus goes on to say…
 

 
Where can I even begin to unpack all the power in this?!
 
I tend to forget that by faith in Jesus I’m filled with the Holy Spirit and that I’m merely a vessel through which He chooses to shine light. This is where the feelings of inadequacy begin, because it’s true that ERIN is not suited for this mission and it’s true that ERIN doesn’t have her own light to shine. No offense, but the same things are true of you and every other person alive as well. But you know what? That’s OK! Because JESUS is the testifier to the nations and JESUS gives those who love Him His light to shine unto the Earth. He knows we can’t do it on our own, but He has chosen to empower us for His great use anyway. That, my friends, is pretty stinkin’ awesome.
 
Look at it this way: You can have all the pieces of a lamp—the stand, the bulb, the cord, maybe even a decorative shade—but without electricity, all those parts are no good. We can’t see electricity by itself (except lightening I suppose…) so it needs a means by which to show itself. Do you see what I’m getting at? JESUS (the Holy Spirit) is the electricity and as His followers, we are the lamps! Without Him, we just sit on a shelf and look pretty. A lamp without a light just doesn’t serve much use. But when we take the step of faith to put our trust in Jesus, He ignites our lamps and gives us purpose. That purpose, readers, is to SHINE the light that He gives us unto ALL the Earth. Despite anything else going on in my life, my deepest desire is to fulfill that calling, and I pray not only that that’s evident in my entire being but that it is also true of each and every one of you. Friends, there is no greater purpose in this life than to answer the callings that the Lord has set for us. I ask you this: what is He calling you to, and are you choosing to answer, knowing that regardless of how unfit you believe you are that the Holy Spirit equips you to be more than capable?
 
If you re-read the end of the verse above, Jesus also says “my peace I give you…do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Bear in mind that Jesus knew He was saying this soon before He would be crucified, yet He was at peace because His Father’s will was going to be done. Truth is, I imagine Jesus was thinking some of the same things about His destiny that are going through my mind about the Race: “It’s too hard.” “Don’t make me do it.” “Choose someone else.” In Matthew 26:39 He even prays, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” I’ve prayed this prayer before, not because I didn’t or don't want to do the Race—despite the fear, I’m so excited to leave in 15 days I can barely stand it!—but because I know that as long as His will is being done that my Father will steady my heart and calm my anxieties. 
 
The following is true of anyone following Christ in any circumstance, but racers I am now speaking directly to you: first, I beg you, do NOT let fears of inadequacy and unworthiness cloud your mind! Friends, JESUS LIVES IN US and it is HE WHO WORKS THROUGH US. It’s okay that we cannot do this on our own because WE AREN’T! Remember that God equips the called and that availABILITY is the most valuable ability to Him. Simply tell Him, “Lord, I’m Your lamp. Please shine through me!” and He will! Second, always be walking in dependence on the Holy Spirit. Read this blurp on the different translations’ descriptions of the Holy Spirit and allow yourself to bask in the all-encompassing empowerment Jesus has sent to us through it. Familiarize yourself with the Spirit’s roles as our Advocate, Helper, Counselor, and Comforter, because I promise you that clinging to these truths is the only way we’ll survive the next year. Lastly, CALM DOWN! It’s easy in these last days at home to be feeling flustered and fearful. But, by allowing fear of our own inability to overtake our joy and excitement of living out a calling the Lord has placed upon us, we are doubting HIS ability to make us able to fulfill that calling, and that's just plain silly. He IS the God of the universe, ya know. Surrender your doubts to the Lord and pray for relief. If Jesus could be at peace in the Lord’s will before His crucifixion, I think we can be at peace in the Lord’s will before the World Race. WE CAN DO THIS, MY FRIENDS, BECAUSE THE LORD HAS IMPARTED HIS STRENGTH ONTO US! (:
 
I leave you, brothers and sisters, with this: Every day, as I frantically think all of the things I began this blog with, telling my Father over and over again that I don’t know if I can do this, He softly whispers in my ear with ease-