We’re about to begin month 7 of this race, full swing, and fairly comfortable with being uncomfortable. But, as time goes on, it’s easy to be comfortable in where we are, even despite the fact that we’re constantly moving. You wouldn’t think so, but, it’s sometimes easy to forget why we’re abroad and get caught up in our monthly ‘jobs’. It could be teaching and planning lessons, or taking care of babies, or doing manual labor. It’ easy to loose sight of the big picture, of the real reason we do everything we do. Sure, we can help teach english, but we’re here because of Jesus. We can do manual labor, and love on orphans, but our goal is to be the hands and feet of Jesus by doing these acts.
There have been times I’ve found myself getting discouraged that we’d just be teaching again, or that I’d be tired of doing labor, or taking care of small children. I’d find myself complaining about having to take my ‘rest’ time to go do more ministry. And every time the Lord gently reminded me, that I’m not here for myself, I’m here to be a servant, to be his servant. God works everything together for the good of those who love him. It’s so funny that whenever I’m feeling discouraged, tired, or irritated and I seek Christ in his presence, my attitude totally changes. I am filled with joy, I get focused on my goal of serving Christ and his people. That’s truly when the joy of the Lord is my strength.
“As followers of Christ, our rest, our strength, our comfort and everything we need is in His presence. It’s Him we seek. We’re to be a people of His presence and walk in His power to carry our His ministry of reconciliation in the world.”
– ‘Do what Jesus did.’
Our reward for serving Christ is to be in his presence, God is our goal. The Lord will provide us with the strength we need to face whatever challenges he puts before us, when we seek him first. When we seek him, he becomes our goal, he becomes our joy, and that’s what we can overflow to others.
As I seek his presence, I find his joy. As we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness I begin to encounter deeper and deeper levels of his presence. Throughout this journey I’ve learned, God is more concerned with our being, than our doing, and our being should be in his presence, in his joy.
When I am constantly in his presence and seek his will, I find myself filled with immense joy and love. That’s when God can truly work through me, and in me! I am here to tell people about the gospel message, our God loves, he desires people, and if you let him, he will turn your world upside down. That’s what it’s truly like following in his will, being in his presence, and being filled with His joy. You do things you never thought you would & you fall in love a little more everyday.
Father, thank you for allowing me on this journey of the world race. Thank you for calling me, strengthening me, and loving me. Forever all my days, I am yours. You can continue to flip my world upside down, cause I know after this race I will never be the same, your joy is my strength!
