Ok I LOVE LOVE and my mind is totally blown once again. I am going to explain what’s up and where my head is at…
(This is the ring I wear everyday to remind me loving like God is my mission…awesome find in Nica.)
We took a 60+ hour trip literally around the world from Nicaragua to Thailand, where I am currently. Our last days in Nica 3 new squad leaders were raised up that will lead us throughout the remainder of our trip. This led to major changes in our teams. I now have a completely new team with one girl (Amanda) staying the same. Amongst all the changes with our “families”, continents, and cultures God has remained the one constant. Continually loving on me, showing me truths and refining me. This is where LOVE comes in…
The last 3 months I was surrounded by amazing women of God and amazing contacts who God has used to grow me more than I could have dreamed possible.
I used to think I was good at love, that I loved people well. What I found out is I loved well for the world. I came to realize I loved those that were relatively easy to love, related, etc. I thought love was an emotion. I realized love is not an emotion. Love is a choice. Love is an action.
I realized I could definitely LOVE better.
God calls us (by us I mean Christ followers) to love like Jesus. To go further than Jesus did. I am called to love and trust because God says so not because it feels right or easy.
If we are going to love as we are called to, that means loving people where they are at, not where you think they should be. Not because they are nice, cute, poor, or Christian. Loving REGARDLESS.
I am learning God created me for love. I have endured relationships, situations and experiences that were extremely difficult in my life. Now I see these were blessings. I can now relate to so many and have a better perspective. God allowed me to see how my life could be and believe me this is way better. Walking in the path God has laid out for me is much better than the places I have taken myself.
1 Peter 4:8-11
This is my new life verse. This is how I want to live. This is what I am trying to do. Please pray I have the strength, wisdom, and humility to walk in this.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
I just have one last thing to share with you on this. The other morning Chris brought us to some awesome scripture and asked us to read it one verse at a time AND I was going to break it down for you because this is where God once again blew up what I thought I knew about love. However, I realized Chris had a video blog about it. I decided this was a great way to share what we discussed and for you to get to know a little bit of one of the men I am blessed to live with 24/7 and call my brother. Chris does an awesome job suming this up. All I want to add is I pray one day I can love like Paul, to be at a place where I can say I love you so much I would give up Christ for you to know Him. WOW! That is so deep, so intense!
PS He did this video in month 1 … we actually have 1 week left and we go to Cambodia! Enjoy!
