Confession time: Blogging is hard work.
For some reason I had always imagined the life of a blogger to be so simple. I would lounge in my trendy PJ’s, flipping through quotes on Pinterest when suddenly – inspiration strikes! Furiously, I would jot down my award-winning post that would cause my audience to cry, laugh and rethink the entire world all in one sitting. HA!
Since announcing my World Race plans, I’ve felt overwhelmed with the idea of constantly posting to keep everyone updated with the, what I’m sure will be, exciting daily adventures. However, lately I’ve been struggling with words, which is a little unfortunate since I have a job in communications…I’ve been waiting for inspiration to strike but to quote my favorite philosopher, Hilary Duff,
I guess I kind of thought that acceptance into the World Race program would provide me with some kind of ultimate superpower. I would be one of “them” – a missionary. I would suddenly have the ability to convert people through one word, one stare – heck probably just by breathing on the person! But as weird as this may seem, that hasn’t happened to me. A dream I have had for years was finally coming true and suddenly I began to feel completely overwhelmed. Maybe I made the wrong choice. Maybe this race was for someone else; maybe this isn’t His plan for me. What if I don’t know what to say? Or – my worst fear yet – what if over 11 months I.don’t.accomplish.one.thing?
As fear began to creep in and I slowly considered the idea of dropping out, I was reminded again and again of one of my favorite phrases. God’s not always one for subtlety…
“God doesn’t call the equipped, son (or daughter). God equips the called. And you have been called.”
Let me back up a little.
I teach 4th and 5th grade girls Sunday school at my church every week. Man are those girls a blessing. They are so smart. Like waaaayy smarter than I ever was at that age and they definitely teach me more than I could ever teach them. Lately, something we’ve really been working on is the idea that God’s love is inherited. There is nothing we can do to earn it. It’s freely given.
Can we just take a step back for second…Freely given? Can you think of one thing in this world that is truly freely given? Jesus literally said – and I’m paraphrasing here – “I’m gonna die for you so that you can have the most awesome life ever.” Sounds pretty cool right? What’s the catch you ask? NOTHING!
I’ve slowly realized that nothing I ever do will change anyone’s life. But thankfully this truth of Jesus’ life has shown me that with He who is greater and is moving through me, I will be able to accomplish anything, far more than I could ever guess, request or imagine in my wildest dreams. No matter how great my prayers are, how many bible studies I do, or how many verses I memorize, I’m only making it through those pearly gates because of His doing.
This realization has become a huge relief for me. I don’t feel the stress of trying to prepare myself for this new adventure, because I know that He will prepare me and provide the words I need. So I want to encourage everyone to go do. If you think you can’t do it, know that He can! You have the Holy Spirit living in you, and through Him all things are possible.
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
