My team was "supposed" to be with the majority of our squad this month doing sports ministry together. We arrive and find out we aren't all together, and a step further, our whole team isn't even all together. Our 7 member team (who to be honest is struggling with unity) is in two different host homes. We then are told we are working with children in an elementary-middle school, and when we arrive we are covering books with plastic for a week and a half. Welcome to the world race!
I'm a firm believer that life is 10% what you are handed and 90% how you handle it. And after two weeks on the field with the world race I'm learning that this is more true than ever before. It's a choice: do I fight and complain about the situation? or do I choose to accept situations and ask The Lord what He has to teach me through it?
Looking back I can often see how many times I made the 10% that I was handed have much more power than I ought to. I allowed situations to control me instead of letting God control my situations. Paul said it like this:
"Not that i have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." -Philippians 3:12
Jesus took ahold of me, He CHOSE me. He willingly took my sin, bore my shame and died a death that He didn't deserve, so that I wouldn't have to. He did all that in obedience to His Father, and then His Father got the glory for his marvelous resurrection. Jesus did his part, and left the rest up to His Father.
I want my attitude to always be focused on choosing yes. Choosing yes to loving my team, to pressing through uncomfortable conversations, to being flexible, to being moldable as God continues to design me. And then trusting that He will make something beautiful out of each and every detail in order that He may be glorified in all the earth.
While we aren't doing what we thought we would be doing, or staying where we thought we would be staying, we are doing EXACTLY what God had for us. He saw something I didn't, which happens constantly.
Once I chose to choose YES, God began to give me His eyes. He showed me that we were separated so that we would value our time together that much more, and so we could minister to two totally different families as they open their homes to us. He allowed our squad to be separated so that each team could form a healthy community. He allowed our team to cover books so that we could bond together during that time. He actually did more than allow those situations, He chose those for us and for me.
This race, and all of life for that matter, will often times not be what we expected… and not only is that good, but it's great. It's a great reminder that God is in control and we are not. It's a great way to figure out new ways to trust God. It's a great way to grow.
Once I see life through the "lens of gratefulness" I start to notice all of His sovereignty and I find new things to praise Him for. Like a ministry leader who is so on fire for God and who inspires me, challenges me, protects me, encourages me, and teaches me so much. Like a host family who cooks meals that remind me of home. Like a principal at a public school who welcomes us. Like a ton of beautiful south-african children who run up to me hollering, "MISS SHELBY!" Like a team leader who is leading with such humility and teaching me how to follow. Like a team that already knows me so well and who know what questions to ask to brighten my day. Like a sweetheart back home who writes me an encouraging email every day. Like parents who are learning new iPads and iPhones just so they can communicate with me. Like a sister who is constantly encouraging me. Like a church family who is constantly praying for me.
You know what happens when I list out all the things that are great in my life? My attitude changes, and its contagious. I encourage you for one day to not complain about where you are at or what you are doing: and just stop to think about all the things in your life that are great blessings from the Father who sees farther than we ever could.
This world is what you make it, so why the heck not make it wonderful?
