-Three weeks from today I meet my World Race family for the first time.
-Eleven weeks from today I will meet with my friends and family for the last time before I leave.
The mixture of emotions I’m feeling is unreal. I’m excited but terrified. Prepared but not ready. At peace but anxious.
God has provided over half of the funds needed for the mission trip, and is in the process of providing the last half.
Guys…when I say I have learned a lot from this process already…I mean A LOT. I have never pursued God with such desire and dependence like I have the last 8 months. I have never felt God be so present and so evident. I have to take a step back and just sit here in awe. Of all the people God could have opened this door for, he opened it for me. Knowing my imperfections, my hesitations, my doubts, my fears, and my broken spirits.
The months before learning about the World Race, I had doubts about my purpose. I had been through some crappy stuff that had left me lost and broken, and I wondered how God could possibly use me after that. But, guess what?! God uses whoever He wants!!! God used my brokenness to build me into who I am today, and He will continue to keep building me.
I don’t know about you, but I have had this mind set of “I have to get right/perfect/fixed/stronger before God can use me.” But that isn’t the case at all. Yes, repent. Yes, strive to be like Jesus. But no, I can’t be perfect. No, I am not strong enough on my own. Hebrews 12:2 says, “…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…” JESUS is the perfecter of my faith. Not me! What can I do? I am broken, sinful, fickle, emotional, and fearful…BUT JESUS. He is holy, omniscient, righteous, good, steadfast, and strong.
God will perfect my faith. (Heb 12:2)
God will cleanse me. (1 John 1:7-9)
God will make me righteous. (2 Cor 5:21)
God will make me strong. (Eph 6:10)
God will fix me. (2 Cor 5:17)
God will forgive me. (Prov 28:13)
God will redeem me. (Eph 1:7)
God will provide for me. (Luke 12:27-31)
God will give me courage. (2 Tim 1:7, Josh 1:9)
God will give me a sound mind. (2 Tim 1:7)
God will show me grace. (Eph 2:4-8, John 1:16, Matt 11:28-30)
God will show me mercy. (Eph 2:4)
God will hold me up with His righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
God calls us to be LIKE him, not to BE Him. Hallelujah, praise Jesus for that!!!
Thank you, God. Thank you that you are a God without beginning or end. Thank you that you are a God who forgives and shows mercy when we don’t deserve it. Thank you that in our weakness you are strong. Thank you for Jesus and his unforced rhythms of grace. Thank you for cleansing, perfecting, and redeeming. Thank you that you are GOOD.
