Words. This is just a reminder. Sometimes they lift us up, other times they bring us down. It is a constant battle of knowing who is for you — and who is against you. We so easily forget the impact that our words can have on a human being. We strive for others to accept us, whether you admit it or not. You care about what other people think. You do, its normal — your human and its the way our flesh works. But never, and i mean never is it okay to tear somebody down. As Christians our job is to lift up all people to the father. Remember that unbelievers read the Bible —> by reading YOU.
Since i have announced that i am embarking on this new journey that is the World Race, i have received many different responses to my going. Some include: “Wow, that’s such an amazing opportunity, you’re soo lucky.” Others have said: “AFRICA? What about Ebola!!” {that ones always makes me giggle.} As well as: “What about college? are you sure?” However, i will say i have received only one very unpleasant, “you shouldn’t do that mission trip.”
He ridiculed me. He told me that i couldn’t handle the World Race and that i probably thought of it as a vacation. That i couldn’t go a day without ‘fresh american clean water.’ I wont lie to you — this hurt a lot. Especially considering this person was a teacher, some one who i suppose to lift up our core values. Someone who is to encourage challenges; and what better challenge than getting super uncomfortable in multiple third world countries for a duration of 9 months. i wish that i could tell you i handled that situation with uttermost Grace. However that isn’t true. My flesh chose the sins of judgement, and i ridiculed him back to myself. I did handle it with respect as i remained silent to him. I know that the enemy was working in him to make me doubt, to make me fearful, and to make me run. But what the enemy doesn’t know is that i am more than done with running. I am so called to this journey and that is evident in the way that God has been providing through this trip through each of you reading this. I have been praying that God gives me the strength to take on these negative thoughts that create doubt inside of me, because doubt is an emotion that only comes from the enemy.
Since that day some two weeks ago, a fire has stirred inside of me. Not a raging with anger fire. A holy fire. A fire that wants to forgive. A fire that seeks only the things of the spirit and not of the flesh. So, Mr. Teacher if you ever some how come across this blog post — i want you to know. I love you. I forgive you. I know that the enemy can be a hard spirit to steer clear from, but i am praying for your strength. Praying for your family. Praying for you. I hope that you can forgive me for the judgement that i sent upon you within my own thoughts.
Jesus wants us to bless those who persecute us. He wants us to go that extra mile to LOVE them. Not out of spite, or to be petty; but to love as Jesus once loved you. God died for not only my own sins, or just yours, but your enemy. SO — choose your words carefully. You know not how it affects someone. Love the world. Love the people. Love the sinner. Pray for your enemy. Pray for your heart and that you can forgive them for what they had done, because Jesus sure has already. Thank you all so much for reading, you bless me each and every single day.
PEACE AND BLESSINGS TO YOU!
Also, while i have you i will go ahead and give you a small update! If you ordered a t-shirt they are officially in! I will get them to you as soon as i see you, i promise! As well as that – my biggest need is financial support. If you feel led, you can donate here at my blog. Simply click donate in the right top hand corner of the screen! 🙂 I have a little over $2,600 at the moment, and God has been so faithful. I am officially over 50% to my first deadline of June 15th. Please be praying as i raise support for this journey the Lord has called me to, and again if you feel led or have any questions about how you can donate and become apart of this journey with me – don’t hesitate to contact me! Thank you all so much. You are all blessings from the Lord.
