So you might not know this but everyday since being on the race- we always have a team time each day. That team time may include games, talking about struggles, sharing what we are learning, emotional/vulnerability, taking random tests, whatever it may be. But we ALWAYS do feedback, we have a ministry within the community we live in to affirm the things we do well and to call each other higher to be the best we can be for Christ and to live like He did. It’s amazing how we become more observant within each other during the day/ministry/or in team time. We just got asked that we do Super Feedback once a week now. That means we have to come up with something positive and constructive for each one of our team members. At first I thought wow this is going to be so hard.
First let me tell you that we are here in Swaziland with another team so there are two teams together doing ministry through the same host. I felt it was hard because this is the first ministry we aren’t necessarily doing ministry together, I have one teammate doing media by herself, one teammate doing maintenance with another squadmate that’s not on my team. One working at the carepoint (preschool) with another squad mate. Then a teammate and I go to a care point together but we are in separate classrooms. So we don’t necessarily get to see what we do well and what we might need encouragement on. But the cool thing about it is that giving feedback is more spirit lead in relying on God through listening prayer.
One of the feedbacks that I got from a teammate is how God cared for me before time existed. “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord.'” – Exodus 4:11 My study bible talks about how God takes responsibility for all of our abilities, which He may use for His purposes. In John 9:3 – the world of God might be displayed, not to be restored physically but deliverance from spiritual darkness. He made me deaf for a reason and uses unique ways to speak to me. It is shown that I am deaf but for me to use in His glory and to help me gain insight in this special relationship I have with the Lord to overcome spiritual darkness and learn how to live free for God. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” – Isaiah 35:5
I wanted to talk about this because I feel like I’ve learned a LOT in just the last few days, this is just part of it and God is just so amazing. God cares enough for me that He spoke to me through closed captions. I’m not kidding. So I had downloaded a few tv shows of Arrow to watch in any free time I may have. I was watching one of the episodes and I saw these words between a couple actors. “I have plans. I have things I need to get done. You’re an adult. You can say no. I’ve tried, didn’t take. Well, then don’t tell her, show her. Be the person that you want her to see you as. Trust me.”
I saw those words and thought oh my gosh, what is God trying to tell me? This is what I have interpreted this into. God has plans for me. Plans that might seem to be disapproving to others and it might not seem to make sense to others why this is the plan He has for me. I can say no to who the world wants me to be. Say no to what others may want me to be. But turn it around and say “Yes!” as long as I keep in check with God and be able to say Yes God I will do this for you. The world is very tricky and stubborn. It is full of people; friends, family, coworkers, others we meet along the way that have forgotten the true God and may be lost in their relationship with Him They might not accept what my next step may be. God is telling me to show them and the world the plans I have for you. Plans to show and prove how happy living a life serving me makes you. It may be difficult but trust me.
I’m realizing WOW God is so good and accommodating!!! He spoke to me through closed captions as He has such immense love for me and what my faults may seem to be, but for me to learn and be closer to Him through being deaf. I’m learning how to hand my complete life over to God and even though something might try to block what He has in store for me, just to live out that faith He gave me and to be an example. Also to let others see Him in me. I just need to simply Him. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” – Isaiah 26:3-4
