As I sat in worship the other night, I was reminded. Not by the words spoken by the PD, or the group prayer, but something brought a memory to my mind. It was almost exactly 5 years go when I grabbed one of my friends, stepped out of the aisle, and gave my life to Christ. I didn't fully understand his love, or even what the word grace was, and I had no idea what giving my life to him would mean. Here I am, years later still not fully understanding him, half way around the world wondering where he will lead me next. Where will I be in another 5 years?
When we give ourselves to Christ, he will do more with our lives, then we ever could of done on our own. In a way, having a specific plan for your live is silly, because he's not going to change his call on your life to fit into your white picket fence mentality. It's important that we still have dreams and goals, but if you find yours don't match up with where he is leading you, don't let them hold you back.
Jeremiah 29:11 has practically become a motto on this trip. ( "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.) In VBS we told the story of Joseph. He didn't know why so many difficult and painful things were happening to him. I highly doubt he had hoped to be betrayed by his brothers and planned to be sold into slavery. Yet God had a plan, one that Joesph didn't understand, but followed.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I can say that I love being able to look back at my life and say "Wow, look where God has brought me", it's an encouragement both from the past and for the future. I enjoy sharing with the people we meet in villages about how Christ can radically change your life. I've dreamed about Africa for years, been convinced I would go someday, written letters to celebrities and organizations asking for help to get there, and yet if you had told me just 8 months ago, that I would be here, sitting on a dirt mound in Zambia, I would of laughed in your face.
But here I am, this is where God has brought me. Places I never believed I'd go, doing things I never would of dreamed, with people that I couldn't of imagined. If you look back at your life where has he brought you? The better question, that makes me nervous and extremely excited; Where is he going to take us?
No comments:
Post a Comment