I know that when I am driving down the road and texting notes to myself to remember the way God is working in my life right now, it is a good time to post!
PASSION
God has made me a passionate person. I am passionate about a lot of things, mostly to do with Him, relationships, and Chipotle...
A little over a year ago God started working in my life in a huge way - laying things on my heart I had never had a heart for before. He was telling me to GO - and He was telling me what He wanted me to do when I went. One thing I was not getting was the when. So, for over a year I have been asking Him questions like, "Why would you give me so much passion for something, if you are not opening doors for me to do something with it?" Then He gave me the answer like this:
PROVERB
One morning I was spending time in His word, and this is what I read, "Desire without knowledge is not good- how much more will hasty feet miss the way!" Proverbs 19:2
And I had my answer.
Being passionate about something is not always enough. We need to have knowledge behind that passion so that when we get where we are going, we know what to do and how to do it. It leads to a new season of life:
PREPARATION
This is where I am. I do not know for certain how long I will be here, but I do know that I want to treasure every moment, and not rush into what is next.
So many times I think God has a beautiful plan laid out for us, and we are so busy thinking and worrying about what is coming next that we forget to enjoy the now. He has something special for you RIGHT NOW. Even if you aren't doing mission work in another country, or even doing ANYTHING at all. He has something special for you. I just don't want to miss a single second enjoying Him working in my life and teaching me His ways - and all because I am wondering what He will do next.
In this season of preparation there are several things I need to learn.
First, how to communicate well. I am a student again, learning about psychological development, behavior tendencies, how people's perspectives are formed, and how to change nature's way of thinking.
Second, how to be free. How can we really make an impact in freedom globally when we are in bondage ourselves? We are so bound by sin that I am afraid we aren't really experiencing the freedom God is telling us about in His word! Life to the full, people!! That is what I am in for.
So the bondage I am breaking through is pride. Not because I think so highly of myself, but because I think so MUCH of myself. This life is not about me. I sing it, I say, and now I need to make sure that is exactly how I live. Not for me, not about me, not about what I want, or who I want in my life. All for Him, where He wants me to go, who He wants me to serve, and how He wants me to serve them. Singing, "I lay me down, I'm not my own. I belong to YOU alone" is changing my heart. It is our nature to think of ourselves first, so this is a new way of thinking. It's not "normal", and it's certainly doesn't come easy to me. But there is grace, and there is freedom. I love this, "...To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Rom 8:6
It's not about how good I am doing in this life, or how bad I am doing. It's about His Spirit leading me every step of the way, knowing that He is the Guardian of my heart and my path, and THAT will bring LIFE and PEACE. Humility is freedom. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there IS freedom! We need it, and we need to make it a reality globally for people who are in literal bondage.
Lastly, my preparation brings me to love. This one is what I normally find easiest for me.... but it isn't just love for the people who are being treated unjustly. But love for the ones treating people unjustly. Love for our enemies - because that is what He asks us to do. "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." Luke 6:35
He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
This last lesson is a lesson of not letting bitterness get in the way of love. Those in bitter need of love.
Passion, Proverbs, and Preparation. This is where I am.
