In this season of preparation, I am learning so much. God is showing me His provision. He’s teaching me more about trusting Him. Trust involves patience. Patience has always been something I would say I’ve struggled with. When I decide I’m doing something, I want to do it the next day. I’m ready. Let’s do this. I can just imagine God, being the Father that He is, watching me, listening to me, and trying to guide me like a little girl who is running excitedly after something she doesn’t even really know how to do. Thank goodness for mercy. Something else God is showing me: His character. God knows exactly how to speak to my heart in a way that only He can so that He has my attention. I learn a certain way. According to my mom, that way is the hard way. I hear the advice that people give me, but I don’t always listen until I’ve gone the hard way and gotten hurt. Some may say that is just how a person will learn. But God doesn’t have plans to harm me. He has plans for my future. Plans to prosper me: Jeremiah 29:11 a.k.a. my life motto. Even after I’ve gotten hurt and realized what has happened, I can come to God and talk to Him still. Romans 8:28 tells me “we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God is good. He is kind, forgiving, and worthy of my trust.
Don’t get me wrong, there are times that coming to God involves laying down a lot of pride and saying, “Lord, your ways are higher than my ways and your thoughts are way, way higher than mine.” I guess something else that is being refined would be my humility. I like to be right. Anyone that knows me knows that. However, many times my needing to be right during a conversation ended up producing more hurt than validation.
One topic that keeps coming to my mind through each lesson learned, each part of me refined, and each emotion I work through: Love. I just keep coming back to it. Yes, God wants to shape us and refine us. He wants us to learn humility, kindness, forgiveness, trust, etc. The main reason he even shapes those parts of our character at all is so our heart will be modeled after His. Without love backing our every action and our every word, our words and actions are meaningless. That sounds harsh, but it’s true. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 sets up what I grew up knowing as the “love chapter.” We read all about how we are supposed to act and what pure love looks like. “Love is patient, love is kind…it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” This chapter isn’t just a list of ways to act. This chapter is a life raft giving you something to hold onto. When all else fades, God’s love will remain. God’s perfect love is something you can always depend on. The beginning of this chapter is very important though. Love has to be the backing of your faith, your decisions, your words, everything. Love has to be your motivation.
Love has to be your “why.”
Jesus is the ultimate example of what life looks like when love backs your decisions. He endured so many things because He fully knew the love of His Father, and He came to the earth on assignment to get us close to His Father. Jesus knew the wholeness he had in his Father, and was willing to lay down his life just so we could know that wholeness too.
I’ve had people ask me why I have made the decision to take this journey called the World Race. I’ve heard things like “you’re crazy” and “are you sure?” Some have even asked if I am just going to see the world and travel. Well, yes, seeing grand new places is part of the journey. The main reason I am doing this is because God’s heart for the world hit me like a train. Ever since I asked Him to help me see things the way He does, I’ve been heart broken for a place I’ve never even been before. I am fortunate enough to live in an area of the world where the message of God’s love is freely available night and day. Many others aren’t so fortunate. All I want to do in my life is let others know about this hope I have. I want others to have hope so badly. I want to honor Jesus’ sacrifice for me by letting my life be an example of Him.
-Preparation grows faith and character
-Love is the motivation
-Heaven is the goal
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
