?”Happy are they who have reached the end of the road we seek to tread, who are astonished to discover the by no means self-evident truth that grace is costly just because it is the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Happy are the simple followers of Jesus Christ who have been overcome by his grace, and are able to sing the praises of the all-sufficient grace of Christ with humbleness of heart. Happy are they who, knowing that grace, can live in the world with without being of it, who, by following Jesus Christ, are so assured of their heavenly citizenship that they are truly free to live their lives in this world. Happy are they who know that discipleship simply means the life which springs from grace, and that grace simply means discipleship. Happy are they who have become Christians in this sense of the word. For them the word of grace has proved a fount of mercy.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I’m definitely not sleeping tonight. How can I? I’m finally going. After countless hours of planning and preparation, I am finally going on the World Race. In 45 minutes (2:30AM, ouch), I will board a bus to take me to the Atlanta airport and then we will fly down to Honduras.
A few days ago, God showed me something that I believe is going to save me a lot of frustration on the Race. For the past 6 months, I’ve been thinking and praying about how I can serve others (our ministries and my squad), but God showed me this is not why He wants me to go on this trip. God’s plan is not that I get to work with Him to change others, but that He changes me. In order for me to positively affect a situation, I need to let Him change me first so I can pour His grace into others. This has been a huge perspective change for me.
I believe this is going to be one of the hardest years of my life, but I know it will be worth it. He wants to show me what it is to be “overcome by His grace,” and this kind of discipleship, “which springs from grace,” is going to be costly.
Saying goodbye to my family was the hardest thing. Yes, I cried. But I know it will be worth it to know the Lord more and to walk with Him more deeply.
By this afternoon, I will be in Honduras. We’ll be working in a place over an hour above Tegucigalpa with a woman who coordinates various types of ministry. It sounds like we could be doing anything from manual labor to ministering to women and children. We’ll be staying in some dormitories (with bunk beds).
Please pray for us as we go out! Much love to you!!!
