I am hungry for news of Lauren and her teammates as they continue to do active ministry around the world. Yes, I am hungry for this news naturally, because I love my cousin. BUT, IT IS MORE THAN THIS. These beautiful six woman are changing the world back home, too! As they tell us what is happening while they share about Jesus and what is going on within themselves, there is a message for each one of us (sometimes direct, sometimes indirect). I actually love the hidden messages the best, because just maybe they don't even realize the gifts they are giving us. I also love them this way, because I get to interpret what the lesson is that God is teaching me through their experience. There are parts of their blogs that are still with me. It's hard to blog about them unless I capture parts of their blogs here first. That takes time. For example, Lauren's team had dinner with a woman named, Candy. Her parents were divorced over the fact that one was Buddhist and the other was Catholic. The team shared the differences answering her questions. As they shared some Scripture with Candy, she kept saying, "I love this Jesus. This is amazing. I love this book (the Bible)." What stayed with me was this: Imagine having a child-like faith, loving Jesus like I couldn't get enough, and hearing such amazing goodness as if it was the very first time. Let me soak in Jesus. I sat there after I read the words Candy spoke. If only we all could be that way again. How could it be so? I believe it can be so. I believe. I am still sitting in this yet. When the time is right, I'll move into the next sweet stage of, "but how do I make this possible in my life?" (Thank you Libby Alcala for your blog on Candy) Another very profound and early on blog entry was from Kaylaynn McAdams. Her family had placed a rock inside her 50 pound pack as a reminder. She took time to reflect on it as they were instructed to get rid of the items that would weigh them down (metaphorically and physically) on this trip to come before they left. Her reflections touched my heart, because they can apply to our life. We don't have to be traveling across the world carrying a 50 pound bag. "The rock was a hilarious and sweet reminder of how much my family loves me. And also an eye opener into what's really inside my pack. It was the perfect gift. It made me stop to think about the "rocks" I'm carrying around inside my pack. The things that weigh me down and hold me back from doing all God has for me this next year. We can become so distracted by the things we have around us, that we miss greater things right in front of us. I filled my pack to the brim with things I thought I couldn't live without- but I'm learning those things weigh me down from running after the better things in life. Stuff gets stolen, things get lost, back packs aren't waterproof and ultimately it all is gonna break. I have to choose to let the "rocks" in my pack go before they weigh me down from what God is going to do and provide for me." From Hannah -Team Relentless, a women on Lauren's squad (not the five with her on the team...the squad is almost 50 broken into smaller teams) - Read about a cripple man. It just makes me think about him reaching out to Jesus asking to be healed if it were back in Jesus' time. I can feel Hannah's desperation (the Holy Spirit prompting her) to do something for this man. What would I do? What would you do? http://hannahstambaugh.theworldrace.org/?filename=crippled-in-the-streets-of-china There are so many examples from the blogs I could mention. It is amazing staying connected to Lauren reading the blogs, fasting from desserts, and praying for her. As her squad (all the World Racers), I believe, were traveling to Thailand for this month, I was tempted over and over again with desserts. It is pretty interesting how that just happened. My determination is strong, but the temptation grows tiring. I continue to think about what it is that Lauren and these young people are experiencing. I look forward to learning more about this country, the specific ministry the women do, and the pray requests they have. "Oh Jesus...break our heart for what breaks yours..." Casting Crowns
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Driving home yesterday it came to me that Jesus lived into his early thirties, which I am nearing. He was only active for a few years in his ministry - probably less than I have been. I have seven years in now...I think. I am starting to loose track.
So, this is my question: What have I accomplished in that time? Just think about what Jesus accomplished in only a few years. A few years! Yes, I know Jesus was divine (God) and human. I know I am only human, but that doesn't excuse me. God sent His Son, because humans couldn't get it right. As a result we (including myself) have been learning the right way to live ever since. I know I could list off accomplishments - ways I loved like Jesus. That's not the point. I wonder how well I helped people to know Jesus. This is an unending task, especially at work. I have asked myself over and over again, was that the best way to share who Jesus was and who Jesus is with others, especially teens. Surely, people can come to know Jesus through my love without sharing verbally, but I truly believe in this time and place it does take more than just my way of life, my example. So many people do not know the story of Jesus - of His love and how much He desires to be in relationship with them. If I asked you, "Who is Jesus to Amy?" would you know? Would the people close to me know how to answer that at my funeral? I would hope this question could be answered well someday. Who is Jesus to you? Is there a relationship there? Do you call Him friend? There's always so much to share, because the Holy Spirit is always at work, revealing something from God to us! This is what I want to share with you. It is my hope to show you more of God's love to inspire you to action - whatever it may be. amye. |
So this is me...I am a woman who lives with passion, self-reflection, and a desire to do God's will.
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