blogs in the works that all need to go up before I leave for
Thailand. Which is the 14th. Valentines day! So here is
the first and I will try to keep them all short. Just a quick update
to let you know how things are. I am crazy busy. I am always tired.
This is almost the hardest thing I have ever done. I am grateful. God
is present, active, and in pursuit of my heart. That is about it for
the update.
The last blog I wrote was about a visit
I took to a place called Tuol Sleng. This one will be as well. While
we were there we got to hear from a man via translator who was one of
the 7 survivors of this prison. I think I listened to his story 3
times in a row and every time I was moved to tears. Not only because
of what he went through, but because he survived, and because he had
beautiful perspective through all of the trauma he had endured.
The thing I was reminded of most was
this…
We have all survived something.
I think we go into situations wanting
to rescue people. We live in the mindset that we are in someway
capable of rescuing people from their own destruction. We want to fix
them, or change them, or take them away from the things that we think
hinder them. We want to take away the very burdens that may be
leading them and others into a deeper relationship with Christ.
I do this in everyday relationships in
the states, with my squad, with my team, and with the people I serve.
This is something that I know to be
true. Unity is formed when you focus on the things you have in
common. One thing we all have in common is this. We all have survived
something. You may have survived trafficking, rape, apathy, church
culture, abuse, addictions, teen pregnancy, broken relationships or a
number of other things. It isn’t so much what you have survived but
how. It is not about the size, or proportion of what we have endured
. I am pretty sure Jesus looks at it all the same. It is just about
the fact that we HAVE SURVIVED AND CAN SURVIVE THROUGH JESUS.So the
next time you feel alone or think that you can’t possibly have
something in common with the person next you remember that everyone
endures trials. No one has survived on their own, and everyone needs
a Savior. (I know this is a bit cheesy but it is true.)
I also think it is important to get out
of the way and let God work. When we try to fix others, or situations
we don’t allow God to restore those things in His way. My awesome
friend Brenda has cancer. It was sad, scary, and frustrating. Now it
is hopeful. Not because she is cured or in remission. She is still
going through treatments. It is because she is using it to further
God’s kingdom. She told me this right before I left.
The book of Galatians only exist
because Paul got sick on his way to another church. Paul ended up
having to stop in Galatia and stayed two years. That is where the
church of Galatia comes from and now the book of Galatians. After
explaining this to me Brenda told me she is excited to see what God
plants with her life during her sickness.
So lets stop trying to fix everyone.
Let’s stop trying to find and easier way out. Instead lets find
comfort and unity in the knowledge that everyone has survived
something and lets see what God plants in our lives during the
process.
