I wish obeying was as easy as brushing teeth. It's not.
I've just finished reading through Matthew, and I've taken some obedience lessons from Jesus. He makes it seem so simple by never disobeying; if only it was.
He gets baptized by his cousin John to "fulfill all righteousness"(Matt 3:15), and as he rises from the water a voice from heaven said "'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased'" (Matt 3:17) Please note that God the Father was not just pleased, but He was well pleased. Immediately after he was baptized, Jesus was tested in the wilderness. I find it interesting that scripture says that he was "led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil"(Matthew 4:1) Let me be honest, I would never willingly go into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, would you?! Jesus then proceeds to fast for forty days and forty nights before being tempted by Satan. Still, being secluded and without food, Jesus obeys as he is tempted. Jesus knows that in Deut. 6:13, we are told to " Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." Jesus does just that as he resists the temptations that are presented before him while reciting scripture. Jesus knew that it He could not try to be obedient by his own strength, but instead used the teachings and the Spirit to guide him as he fought to be obedient. I could continue through all of Matthew and follow how Jesus was obedient, but instead I'll share a song that I believes sums it up pretty well. It's by Brian and Jenn Johnson, and it's called 'Where You Go I Go"
Where You go I go
What You say I say
And what You pray I pray
And what You pray I pray
Where You go I go
What You say I say God
And what You pray I pray
Cause Jesus only did what He saw You do
And He would only say what He heard You speak
And He would only move when He felt You lead
Following Your heart following Your Spirit
So how could I expect to walk without You
When every made that Jesus made was in surrender
I will not begin to live without You
For You alone are worthy and You alone are good
I think it's quite obvious that Jesus only did what God led him to do. John 5:19-20 reads, "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed." Just think about that verse aligned with everything Jesus did. It's pretty insane to think about putting that in practice and living it out in my everyday life. It means total surrender of my life, more specifically my time, money, relationships, words, thoughts, and so much more. It means not second guessing, but faithfully following God, knowing that obedience could very well lead me to a situation like Jesus with the cross. It could end ugly.
I believe a broader picture is placed on practicing obedience, as in aiming and planning to practice obedience in the future, not in the here and the now. When I start trying to plan, I miss the opportunities to surrender, obey, and follow His will today.
I want to leave you with a passage that continually intrigues me. The passage is Matthew 26:36-46 and takes place in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus goes with his disciples, and once there, distances himself to pray, asking that they do they same and keep watch. Jesus' heart was heavy, " Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will'"(Matt. 26: 39). He not only prays this once, but again saying, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it,may your will be done"(Matt. 26:42). I believe that this is quite possibly the most beautiful thing that I have ever read. You see, it is clear that Jesus was asking that what was about to be done to him be removed from his future. He would have rather something else. Ultimately, living a complete life of obedience, Jesus followed God's will. It lead him to the cross.
All I can do is live today by choosing God's will for my life and surrendering my own. I don't know what He has planned for my life, but today I am choosing to obey His plans, His words, and His will rather than my own.
As I am to live obediently each day, this is what I'll cling to:
Matthew 22: 37-39 "' Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
This is only the beginning.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Jungle Gibberish
The Gabonese are beautiful. I'm been consumed with that thought lately. I hope that doesn't sound creepy because it's not intended to be. It's just me realizing that everyone is created in the same image of our God. It's a wonderful and insane thought at the same time. It's not only their faces that are beautiful, but their hospitality, openness, and sincerity. Lately, I've been gathering all the memories of faces I can and taking tons of mental pictures. Yes, I'm taking real pictures too, but somehow all the pictures I'm taking don't seem to express or capture exactly what I'm experiencing.
With that thought, I have also been reminded that God longs for their hearts. It's as if He has been whispering into my ear saying, “They're mine”. God desires their hearts just as He desired and still desires mine. He wants their lives to sing of His glory. He wants their words to speak His truth. He wants their hearts to be His home. And He won't relent until he has it ALL.
No one is beyond redemption. Christ died for us all. He desires us all the same. He pursues, he chases, and he never relents.
I can't tell you how much the above thoughts have been on my mind recently. It's a beautiful thing that we are all on the same playing field and Christ desires us all the same. It's even more beautiful that he wants us in our brokenness, just as we are. It blows my mind.
Currently, I am in Bongolo. A group of fourteen of us made the twelve hour trip on Tuesday. With only two flat tires on the vehicles and the trunk popping open while driving speedily on a dirt road, we made it here safely. We are doing work projects for the Hospital in the morning and hanging out in the afternoons. Some of the girls went into the nearest town today, La Bamba. I still don't believe that I am in Africa most days as it seems unreal and impossible. Walking in the African village today just didn't seem real so I had to stop and pinch myself. I have times when I experience that reality but then in the next moment it seems as though I have been here forever, and that I could continue this forever.
However, I won't be staying here forever (not this time at least). Home is getting closer, and I am not liking the idea of leaving any more as it gets closer. I'm overwhelmed by the thought that I'll have to leave all the beautiful faces and this lifestyle in just about three weeks. I try not to think about that often.
As I'm typing this, I hear the beautiful sound of my brothers and sisters singing out praise to our Father. This is a common occurrence amongst our family and it's the simple things like this that I won't be able to get enough of in the coming weeks. I'm soaking in every moment and I can't wait to share once I return. Granted, it might take a while to get out and it might not come quick enough as some of you would like, but it will come. So be ready to bear with me. :)
With that thought, I have also been reminded that God longs for their hearts. It's as if He has been whispering into my ear saying, “They're mine”. God desires their hearts just as He desired and still desires mine. He wants their lives to sing of His glory. He wants their words to speak His truth. He wants their hearts to be His home. And He won't relent until he has it ALL.
No one is beyond redemption. Christ died for us all. He desires us all the same. He pursues, he chases, and he never relents.
I can't tell you how much the above thoughts have been on my mind recently. It's a beautiful thing that we are all on the same playing field and Christ desires us all the same. It's even more beautiful that he wants us in our brokenness, just as we are. It blows my mind.
Currently, I am in Bongolo. A group of fourteen of us made the twelve hour trip on Tuesday. With only two flat tires on the vehicles and the trunk popping open while driving speedily on a dirt road, we made it here safely. We are doing work projects for the Hospital in the morning and hanging out in the afternoons. Some of the girls went into the nearest town today, La Bamba. I still don't believe that I am in Africa most days as it seems unreal and impossible. Walking in the African village today just didn't seem real so I had to stop and pinch myself. I have times when I experience that reality but then in the next moment it seems as though I have been here forever, and that I could continue this forever.
However, I won't be staying here forever (not this time at least). Home is getting closer, and I am not liking the idea of leaving any more as it gets closer. I'm overwhelmed by the thought that I'll have to leave all the beautiful faces and this lifestyle in just about three weeks. I try not to think about that often.
As I'm typing this, I hear the beautiful sound of my brothers and sisters singing out praise to our Father. This is a common occurrence amongst our family and it's the simple things like this that I won't be able to get enough of in the coming weeks. I'm soaking in every moment and I can't wait to share once I return. Granted, it might take a while to get out and it might not come quick enough as some of you would like, but it will come. So be ready to bear with me. :)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
mud pies
One of my favorite childhood memories is making mud pies in the backyard. Did you know that Mom and Dad?! I used to love pouring water from a toy thermal water bottle over the dirt and mixing it all up in a large bowl. When the mixture was just right, I added all the necessary ingredients(all dirt of course),and it was then time to pour it into tin pie pans, slice, and serve. Turns out, playing with mud is still one of my favortie things to do.
This afternoon was spent at the Hope House digging and setting posts (or some fancy construction word) in order that a fence can be made to completely surround the land. As the digging progressed, the dirt became more wet due to the close proximity of a pond. Needless to say, there was TONS of wet dirt. Just like any typical day at the Hope House, Masunda found his spot on my lap. He promptly picked up the mud beside me, smashed it into my hands, and we began to play. We flattened it, smashed it, rounded it, handed some out, tossed the rest, and then started all over again. And then again, and again. Of course, none of the other children could resist their desire to play in mud. With lots of imaginations at work we created ships, houses, turtles, people with mow-hawks, Crosses, and lots of other things. Masunda, who once again was on my lap, took to his favorite pretend job and played street vendor while creating all kinds of desserts. We made mud pies and beignets. When I ran out of mud in my hands it was quickly replaced from a stockpile that was constantly being gathered. I left with dirt in my nails and a nice shade of reddish brown color covering my hands.
My afternoon was spent exactly like it sounds...making mud pies. To be honest, I didn't do much to contribute to the work of setting the post thingys, and I hope that doesn't bother you. A few moths ago it would have bothered me. The longer I spend in Africa, the easier it is to "be". Or maybe it has nothing to do with Africa, and that's just the person I'm becoming ( I'm praying it's this second reason). Truth is, I'm being more and more drawn to the littleness and simplicities of life. I believe that it is even through simplicities such as mud pies, that love can truly be shared.
As Mother Teresa used to say, "We can do no great things, just small things with great love. It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into doing it." By no description did I do any great things today, but instead I found myself doing the teenie weeniest of things and playing in the mud. And if you could have tasted those mud pies, I'm sure you would have tasted an extra ingredient of love from all the bakers.
This afternoon was spent at the Hope House digging and setting posts (or some fancy construction word) in order that a fence can be made to completely surround the land. As the digging progressed, the dirt became more wet due to the close proximity of a pond. Needless to say, there was TONS of wet dirt. Just like any typical day at the Hope House, Masunda found his spot on my lap. He promptly picked up the mud beside me, smashed it into my hands, and we began to play. We flattened it, smashed it, rounded it, handed some out, tossed the rest, and then started all over again. And then again, and again. Of course, none of the other children could resist their desire to play in mud. With lots of imaginations at work we created ships, houses, turtles, people with mow-hawks, Crosses, and lots of other things. Masunda, who once again was on my lap, took to his favorite pretend job and played street vendor while creating all kinds of desserts. We made mud pies and beignets. When I ran out of mud in my hands it was quickly replaced from a stockpile that was constantly being gathered. I left with dirt in my nails and a nice shade of reddish brown color covering my hands.
My afternoon was spent exactly like it sounds...making mud pies. To be honest, I didn't do much to contribute to the work of setting the post thingys, and I hope that doesn't bother you. A few moths ago it would have bothered me. The longer I spend in Africa, the easier it is to "be". Or maybe it has nothing to do with Africa, and that's just the person I'm becoming ( I'm praying it's this second reason). Truth is, I'm being more and more drawn to the littleness and simplicities of life. I believe that it is even through simplicities such as mud pies, that love can truly be shared.
As Mother Teresa used to say, "We can do no great things, just small things with great love. It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into doing it." By no description did I do any great things today, but instead I found myself doing the teenie weeniest of things and playing in the mud. And if you could have tasted those mud pies, I'm sure you would have tasted an extra ingredient of love from all the bakers.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
time to dance
Africans leave lots of space and time for dancing.
A church service is NOT complete without tons of dancing. Dancing is fun, and it is freeing. Everyone dances regardless of whether you think you can. All you have to do is shake your hips and move your feet, don't worry about the rhythm. Sometimes I get pulled up to dance, and other times I do it by choice. Two Sunday's ago has been my favorite dancing experience of all. We went to a service that was held for the Alliance churches in Libreville. It was held in a stadium and it was packed. Tim, who is a Pastor always gets special setting, and this time we did too by association. We were on ground level in Pastor setting, and of course, we get pulled up to dance during worship. So imagine this, a stadium full of Gabonese and the 15 whities dancing as if enough attention is given to us already. The crowd erupted when we began to dance. As I was dancing, I looked up and saw a little old lady, probably around 60, grinning ear to ear, moving her feet to match mine. The greatest thing about that is, she isn't just some little old lady, she is my sister, and one day will be dancing together in Heaven before our Father.
Monday night we enjoyed dinner at Mama Christine's house. Mama Christine is a nurse who helps with the Mobile Medical Clinic and she was gracious enough to have us all over for dinner. Of course, the night was not complete without dancing. As we sat in a circle, everyone took turns leading songs from the middle and demonstrating any motions and dance moves. We danced and sang together as joy overflowed from our hearts.
Not only do the Gabonese like to move, but they like to let the Holy Spirit move. Church services can take hours, and they usually do because the Gabonese will never cut the Holy Spirit out. It is easy to see the Spirit moving here and maybe because that is all I notice when I don't see the planning for service or understand the words that are being shared. In Forgotten God, Francis Chan shares two obstacles that keep me/us from connecting with and allowing the Holy Spirit to move.
1. Comfort. Why do I need the Holy Spirit if I can comfortable? I mean, the Holy Spirit is my Comforter, but if I am already comfortable, I don't need to be comforted by Him. It is only when I am uncomfortable, uncertain, and confused that I need and rely on the Spirit.
2. Volume. Sometimes with all the friends I hangout with, family I keep in touch with, homework I stay on top of, texts I send and receive, music I listen too, and TV shows I try to keep up with, my life is VERY loud. When my life is loud, the Holy Spirit is not the first thing I am listening to. Francis Chan says that " Our lack of intimacy is often due to our refusal to unplug and shut off the communication from all others so we can be alone with Him." When we live loud lives and never remove ourselves to quiet places, the Spirit is less likely to be heard.
My life is loud and comfortable.
"When we are at our wits' end for an answer, then the Holy Spirit can give us a answer. But how can He give us an answer when we are still well supplied with all sorts of answers of our own?" -Karl Bush
I want to be at my wits' end while living a quiet and very comfortable life so that the Holy Spirit can move within me as I live a surrendered life of following Him.
A church service is NOT complete without tons of dancing. Dancing is fun, and it is freeing. Everyone dances regardless of whether you think you can. All you have to do is shake your hips and move your feet, don't worry about the rhythm. Sometimes I get pulled up to dance, and other times I do it by choice. Two Sunday's ago has been my favorite dancing experience of all. We went to a service that was held for the Alliance churches in Libreville. It was held in a stadium and it was packed. Tim, who is a Pastor always gets special setting, and this time we did too by association. We were on ground level in Pastor setting, and of course, we get pulled up to dance during worship. So imagine this, a stadium full of Gabonese and the 15 whities dancing as if enough attention is given to us already. The crowd erupted when we began to dance. As I was dancing, I looked up and saw a little old lady, probably around 60, grinning ear to ear, moving her feet to match mine. The greatest thing about that is, she isn't just some little old lady, she is my sister, and one day will be dancing together in Heaven before our Father.
Monday night we enjoyed dinner at Mama Christine's house. Mama Christine is a nurse who helps with the Mobile Medical Clinic and she was gracious enough to have us all over for dinner. Of course, the night was not complete without dancing. As we sat in a circle, everyone took turns leading songs from the middle and demonstrating any motions and dance moves. We danced and sang together as joy overflowed from our hearts.
Not only do the Gabonese like to move, but they like to let the Holy Spirit move. Church services can take hours, and they usually do because the Gabonese will never cut the Holy Spirit out. It is easy to see the Spirit moving here and maybe because that is all I notice when I don't see the planning for service or understand the words that are being shared. In Forgotten God, Francis Chan shares two obstacles that keep me/us from connecting with and allowing the Holy Spirit to move.
1. Comfort. Why do I need the Holy Spirit if I can comfortable? I mean, the Holy Spirit is my Comforter, but if I am already comfortable, I don't need to be comforted by Him. It is only when I am uncomfortable, uncertain, and confused that I need and rely on the Spirit.
2. Volume. Sometimes with all the friends I hangout with, family I keep in touch with, homework I stay on top of, texts I send and receive, music I listen too, and TV shows I try to keep up with, my life is VERY loud. When my life is loud, the Holy Spirit is not the first thing I am listening to. Francis Chan says that " Our lack of intimacy is often due to our refusal to unplug and shut off the communication from all others so we can be alone with Him." When we live loud lives and never remove ourselves to quiet places, the Spirit is less likely to be heard.
My life is loud and comfortable.
"When we are at our wits' end for an answer, then the Holy Spirit can give us a answer. But how can He give us an answer when we are still well supplied with all sorts of answers of our own?" -Karl Bush
I want to be at my wits' end while living a quiet and very comfortable life so that the Holy Spirit can move within me as I live a surrendered life of following Him.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
the sound of roosters
Are roosters ever quiet? It doesn't seem like they are here, at all. I fall asleep and wake up to their sounds. Do dogs ever stop barking?? Here, that thought is highly unlikely. They are tons of stray dogs always running around getting into fights with one another. Recently, I tried to go up to a stray puppy to pet it but it was too terrified to let me get close. In that puppy's experience, if I get close to it, it means I am going to beat it. Sad, but very true. Do army men ever stop chanting?? Okay, they do. But their chants are another alarm clock of mine as they run right past the compound in the very early morning. The chants are becoming part of my dreams. Also, do marching bands have a full out practice at seven in the morning?? OF course they do! That's what woke me up this morning. It caught be by surprise.
I hope it doesn't sound like I am complaining, because that's not my goal. These sounds have become apart of my everyday routine here. It's hard to remember the sounds I heard at home as I've been here for five weeks now. I only have a month and a half to go, and that thought is insane to me. While it feels like I've been here forever, the time passes so quickly. So with the time I have left, I'll continue to listen for the sounds that I will soon be missing.
It's amazing what you'll hear if you listen for a second.
I haven't posted recently, and that is because most times I simply don't know what to post about. We do tons, but at times, it feels like I have nothing to share. I guess most of you would read mostly anything I write on here since there is an ocean between us. I do have tons to share with how God is working and the ministries I am involved in. My goal is do a better job with keeping everyone updated. I'm sure it will help both of us when the time comes for me to return home.
Did I mention life is so easy and simple here?? Today I will be spending the day on the beach. I'll aim to post more later.
I hope it doesn't sound like I am complaining, because that's not my goal. These sounds have become apart of my everyday routine here. It's hard to remember the sounds I heard at home as I've been here for five weeks now. I only have a month and a half to go, and that thought is insane to me. While it feels like I've been here forever, the time passes so quickly. So with the time I have left, I'll continue to listen for the sounds that I will soon be missing.
It's amazing what you'll hear if you listen for a second.
I haven't posted recently, and that is because most times I simply don't know what to post about. We do tons, but at times, it feels like I have nothing to share. I guess most of you would read mostly anything I write on here since there is an ocean between us. I do have tons to share with how God is working and the ministries I am involved in. My goal is do a better job with keeping everyone updated. I'm sure it will help both of us when the time comes for me to return home.
Did I mention life is so easy and simple here?? Today I will be spending the day on the beach. I'll aim to post more later.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Father's Day!
Daddy, this one is for you. Happy Father's Day, from your little girl. Sorry I can't be there to celebrate with you and the family, make sure you aren't missing me TOO much. As I write this you guys should be sitting down to eat those Lobster dinners.YUMMY! Hopefully everyone is treating you well today, figuring I am the one who usually keeps everyone in check.
Thank you for being the Father that you are. Thank you for always being yourself, because through that I knew that I never had to pretend to be something I wasn't. Thank you for always encouraging me to follow my heart. That sounds a little cheesy but I knew that if I followed my heart, I didn't have to concern myself with what others were saying. Thank you for teaching me that it's okay to take risks and fail and that my failures are never something to be ashamed of, but rather lessons to be learned.
Remember that you are my favorite Father, and I will always be your little girl. The little girl who loved going to the comic book store with you, who thought it was strange and awesome that you would let me eat ice cream for dinner, the girl who loved driving the big van down the alley on your lap, and the little girl who would pretend to fall asleep on the couch so she could be carried upstairs in the arms of her daddy. I LOVE YOU! Happy Father's Day. :)
ps. I owe you a breakfast when I get home. I'll buy.
Thank you for being the Father that you are. Thank you for always being yourself, because through that I knew that I never had to pretend to be something I wasn't. Thank you for always encouraging me to follow my heart. That sounds a little cheesy but I knew that if I followed my heart, I didn't have to concern myself with what others were saying. Thank you for teaching me that it's okay to take risks and fail and that my failures are never something to be ashamed of, but rather lessons to be learned.
Remember that you are my favorite Father, and I will always be your little girl. The little girl who loved going to the comic book store with you, who thought it was strange and awesome that you would let me eat ice cream for dinner, the girl who loved driving the big van down the alley on your lap, and the little girl who would pretend to fall asleep on the couch so she could be carried upstairs in the arms of her daddy. I LOVE YOU! Happy Father's Day. :)
ps. I owe you a breakfast when I get home. I'll buy.
Friday, June 18, 2010
I'm not good with titles
Would it be wrong to say that this place feels like home?? It feels like that more everyday. I can honestly say that there is a strong sense of community living with my brothers and sisters. It's insane to think that I didn't know some of them a few weeks ago with how close we are now. The roads we drive on are becoming so familiar. I could probably give you directions to the Hope House. These are my home streets now, and they will be for another eight weeks. And the beautiful faces I get to interact with have quickly stolen my heart and made this feel even more like home.
We endured a bumpy twelve hour trip to Bongolo. I could make that drive sound awful but I won't because it wasn't as all. The purpose of our trip was for it to serve as a team bonding and prayer retreat. While we were there, Tim went over different ministries that we would be able to get involved in this summer. After spending time prayerfully considering where the Lord was leading us, we came together to share. During my quiet time listening last week, I was reminded of the passion Christ has given me for children. You see, I was really hesitant to say the Hope House because I knew that is what I wanted to do, but I wasn't sure it was where God was leading. I was reminded that those children are just as important as any other person I meet, that they belong to Jesus, and that those kids need love just as next as the next person. I don't have much to offer this summer, no special talents or skills, but I can love those kids, so that is what I will be doing. Everyone shared what the Lord was leading them to get involved in and Tim released us from a spirit of 'do' and into a spirit of 'being'. Yep, that's right, Tim and Meredith don't care what tasks we accomplish this summer because they both understand that we are here for a much greater purpose. This summer will never be about the things we are getting done, but it will instead be about the people we are becoming. Sometimes this is harder than other times. It seems easy to not worry about everything that needs to get done sometimes, and let the Holy Spirit work on who HE is transforming me into. Other times, my westernized view of tasks tells me that I need to get a task completed in a certain amount of time or a billion other things won't be able to follow. My job this summer is to be. That is all.
The task of being does NOT mean that I do absolutely nothing. It DOES mean that my focus is not on the tasks, but instead on what God is doing in me and through me. So let me share a little about that. Currently, I am reading Forgotten God by Francis Chan. I have gotten very far in it, but already I am challenged by how much I actually led the Holy Spirit lead in my moment- by- moment life. I have a lot of quiet time here (we aren't TOO busy since we are concentrated on the 'being') to think here. It's all good, but sometimes it's hard, because I know that the Holy Spirit is moving and continuing to break and transform me into who I am in Christ. At home and at school, I ignore those quiet moments and try to avoid them. Let's face it, it sure is easy to avoid what the Spirit is doing. But now I find myself face-to-face with silence and what is happening is beautiful. So I encourage you to set aside the tasks of your day, and just 'be'. 'Be' in the presence of the Lord and let HIM work on who you are meant to 'be'.
In the introduction of Forgotten God, Francis Chan writes, “ The benchmark of success in church services has become more about attendance that the movement of the Holy Spirit.”
I would even go on to revamp that and say that our lives, ( mine included) has become more about success and tasks than the movement of the Holy Spirit. What a tragedy this all is. May we learn to put off all the tasks that keep us from letting the Spirit work, and let our experiences with Him be marked moment-by-moment.
We endured a bumpy twelve hour trip to Bongolo. I could make that drive sound awful but I won't because it wasn't as all. The purpose of our trip was for it to serve as a team bonding and prayer retreat. While we were there, Tim went over different ministries that we would be able to get involved in this summer. After spending time prayerfully considering where the Lord was leading us, we came together to share. During my quiet time listening last week, I was reminded of the passion Christ has given me for children. You see, I was really hesitant to say the Hope House because I knew that is what I wanted to do, but I wasn't sure it was where God was leading. I was reminded that those children are just as important as any other person I meet, that they belong to Jesus, and that those kids need love just as next as the next person. I don't have much to offer this summer, no special talents or skills, but I can love those kids, so that is what I will be doing. Everyone shared what the Lord was leading them to get involved in and Tim released us from a spirit of 'do' and into a spirit of 'being'. Yep, that's right, Tim and Meredith don't care what tasks we accomplish this summer because they both understand that we are here for a much greater purpose. This summer will never be about the things we are getting done, but it will instead be about the people we are becoming. Sometimes this is harder than other times. It seems easy to not worry about everything that needs to get done sometimes, and let the Holy Spirit work on who HE is transforming me into. Other times, my westernized view of tasks tells me that I need to get a task completed in a certain amount of time or a billion other things won't be able to follow. My job this summer is to be. That is all.
The task of being does NOT mean that I do absolutely nothing. It DOES mean that my focus is not on the tasks, but instead on what God is doing in me and through me. So let me share a little about that. Currently, I am reading Forgotten God by Francis Chan. I have gotten very far in it, but already I am challenged by how much I actually led the Holy Spirit lead in my moment- by- moment life. I have a lot of quiet time here (we aren't TOO busy since we are concentrated on the 'being') to think here. It's all good, but sometimes it's hard, because I know that the Holy Spirit is moving and continuing to break and transform me into who I am in Christ. At home and at school, I ignore those quiet moments and try to avoid them. Let's face it, it sure is easy to avoid what the Spirit is doing. But now I find myself face-to-face with silence and what is happening is beautiful. So I encourage you to set aside the tasks of your day, and just 'be'. 'Be' in the presence of the Lord and let HIM work on who you are meant to 'be'.
In the introduction of Forgotten God, Francis Chan writes, “ The benchmark of success in church services has become more about attendance that the movement of the Holy Spirit.”
I would even go on to revamp that and say that our lives, ( mine included) has become more about success and tasks than the movement of the Holy Spirit. What a tragedy this all is. May we learn to put off all the tasks that keep us from letting the Spirit work, and let our experiences with Him be marked moment-by-moment.
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