Today officially marks the half way point of my journey around the world. This trip has been nothing short of amazing and absolutely life changing. Being put into a community with 38 crazy, God fearing people and moving all around the world experiencing different cultures, learning new languages and being the hands and feet of Jesus has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me. God really knew what He was doing sending me on this trip. When you’re put into a completely new community surrounded by new people you are constantly learning new things about the people around you and about yourself. The other day I decided to take time to make a list and reflect about the things that God has taught me on this trip so far, so, here are a few things on the list that I want to share with you!
You’re completely accepted in Christ. The things that you’ve done in the past don’t define you, the person you used to be isn’t who you are today. God doesn’t look at all of the bad things that you’ve done in your life, He continues to look at you with forgiving eyes and loving eyes looking at His son or daughter who He loves so much. He accepts you for who you are today, right now. He doesn’t dwell on the mistakes you’ve made in your past, He looks ahead, looking at your heart and looking at the person who you’re going to become and are becoming.
Enjoy the little things in life. Each day we have a choice to make that day great and live it how we’re suppose too. You can either spend your day waiting for that big moment to happen or you can stop and enjoy the smell of a home cooked meal filling the house, enjoy the beautiful masterpiece that God creates each and every day in the morning and night sky, enjoy the coffee dates with your friends, enjoy the conversations with people that leave you loving them even more than you did before, enjoy cooking a good meal with music filling the kitchen, and enjoy the people you’re with each day. I’ve learned that it’s not the place you are that makes it memorable, it’s the people you are with that make it that much better. Spend each day like it’s your last.
Wake up early. Give your first hours of the day to The Lord. Make a cup of coffee, find a comfy and relaxing spot, and sit and listen to what God has in store for you that day. Journal prayers, your feelings, your goals, and dreams. Read a good chapter of the bible. Soak in His presence. And enjoy the quiet and stillness of the morning.
Be intentional with people. Different people are placed into your life for a specific reason, don’t go your whole life wishing those people away and looking at their annoyances rather than the great qualities that those people have. Pour into them, get to know their story. My teammate, Kelly, always says this, “you can’t hate someone once you know their story,” Take time to figure out their story.
Your words have so much power. You can choose to build people up with your words or tear them down. What you speak over people is what they’re going to become, when you see something great in a person, don’t let it go unnoticed, call it out, give them a compliment, when you see an area someone can grow in call it out, don’t let them go their whole life without addressing an area that needs to be addressed to make them become a better person.
Your body is a temple. Treat it like one. Drink lots of water, eat healthy, exercise, speak good things about your body. “Wow legs you are so great, thank you for being so big and strong and getting me from one place to another so well.” I know, it sounds silly, but honestly you will start thinking better about yourself when you view yourself as beautiful and with a new set of eyes. Speak kind things over your body.
Be completely you no matter who is watching. God created no two people the same for a reason. Be the awesome person God created you to be. Don’t try and be someone you’re not to get people to like you, because I bet you that they will appreciate the real and vulnerable self way better than the person pretending to be someone they’re not. God created you exactly how you are for a reason, strive each and every day to be a better version of yourself, but never toning it down.
You are so loved. And not just this “surfacey” kind of love; a deep passionate, genuine, kind of love the kind of love you would do anything for or give anything for. And it’s by a King. The King of Kings, the Creator of the universe, the healer of any and all disease, the Prince of peace, the father to the fatherless. He loves you so much that He sent his ONLY son to die for you and I. Walk in that love, that love that only can come from the Father.
These past couple of months have been so new and exciting and I can not wait to see what God teaches all of us in the months to come, I’m sure He’s got something great up His sleeves.
With so much love from Africa,
Lyndsay
