Okay so really these are 5 mini blogs about what the Lord has been showing to me and teaching me in the past month!


Codependency

I have inevitably become co-dependent. Dependent on comfort. Dependent on people. I have recently pointed out in myself a want for codependency, a need for it. To cling to it and people as I always have. I find myself wondering where the roots of codependency lie. Where does the selfish want to always need come from? What can I do to deal with it? And ultimately I am asking myself what codependency on the Lord looks like. I have a need to always be around familiar faces, perfect for community right? Wrong, codependency ruins community. I am figuring out how to live independently of people. I know what you’re thinking “You must be joking right? This is after all the World Race. You’re basically with people 24/7”

In a more recent development God has shown me the importance of alone time. I understand that His voice is most often heard in the silence. I understand that He is the only thing I need to be dependent on.

One of the most important things.
 
On the 7th day he rested. Rest. So important, how can you pour into people if you are simply a void of emptiness. Resting in the Lord is important. (I should take my own advice considering I’m typing this at 2am.) God decided that rest was important by demonstrating it himself. They told us at training camp all those months ago “JUST SLEEP” Lots of things are important but God cares about your physical well being along with your spiritual one.
 
October 25th 2016
 
A day sadder than most. This was my brother’s birthday. It was a hard day. The first family birthday that I would not be home for because of the World Race. Luckily we have an infinitely comforting God, who cares about us personally. I appreciated the 25th. My team and I were in Greece and we had fun that day. I got to Facetime my brother and wish him a happy birthday. I know that I am here for God’s purpose and there will be sad days and there will be days of celebration. I just pray that my family is doing well, and as I get ready to leave Albania for the Philippines I pray they won’t miss me too much. Don’t worry guys I’ll be back soon!
 
The Excitement of Anticipation

The excitement of anticipation, really it’s just fancy words for getting your hopes up. Now this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. With the anticipation of a happy event come emotions of joy, happiness, excitement and elation. All emotions we as people love to feel, but when the event or activity doesn’t bring the same emotions as the anticipation then we are left disappointed. We are left feeling unsatisfied, unfulfilled. So how do we make each event give us the fulfillment we seem to require? We can’t. We try to find fulfillment in good works but we cannot, fulfillment doesn’t come from things, or actions. Unless we truly believe that everything we are doing is for the benefit of the kingdom. Unless we are believing that even picking up trash for an hour is the work that the Lord has called us to.  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” Colossians 3:23 So yeah no matter what you do, do it for God and His glory.

The Gospel Story

The story of the gospel is simply that jesus died to save us. There is so much more to it. Jesus died so that we could receive God’s grace, He rose to extend God’s glory.

So what does that mean in us?

Ultimately we should receive His grace, so that we can extend His glory. Too often Christians stop at the receiving part. We don’t think that we are “called” to do the things that Jesus commands. We believe that the blessings Jesus has promised are ours but the works he has commanded are for other people. Again everything we do should be in service of the kingdom, everything we do should be to bring GLory to the Lord.

“All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.”

-2 Corinthians 4:15


So there are some short thoughts and lessons I’ve learned here in my time in Albania. I will miss the people here dearly. I am so thankful for the community God has given us here. If you’re still reading this then thank you for reading! Grace and peace be with you!