The Race

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

I read this passage last night and it really got me fired up to do what God has called me to do. Read it again and really think about it.

I'm a competitive person so I understand what it means "running to win". Theses versuses made me stop and think, do I do what God calls me to do with that same determination? Do I train in the ways I need to in order to hear direction from God? Spending quiet time with Him just listening, seeking cousel, reading my Bible. We have a HUGE race in front of us and I want to be ready.

Train hard and run the race God has put before you!

Potential

Every time I hear someone talk about their burden or their holy discontent I'm always kind of bummed because I'm not sure what mine is... does anyone else ever feel that way? I have things that I love doing and I have people that I love serving but have never been able to identify that one thing that I feel like God has created me to do.

Last night I think I found it. It's been something that has always been an underlining theme for me, but I never understood it's extent. My burden is helping Christians reach their God-given potential. It may sound weird but I really feel God is putting people in my path saying "Encourage them, challenge them, I'm going to use them in a HUGE way, help get them ready..."

I'm ready to be obedient and bold for Christ. Through it all I want to continue to grow in what God has called me to do. Let's raise a strong army of believers and change the world! Woo-hoo!

Boldness

I ran into a girl I knew in college today, which was a bit strange since she had just come to my mind yesterday. I felt this couldn't just be coincidence and I knew I should invite her to church. She always was the fun outgoing girl, but I always got the impression she was sad and hurting on the inside. I talked to her for less than five minutes and of course I hestitated, in my head I was saying, "Evangelism isn't one of my spiritual gifts, I don't want to make her feel awkward, and I don't want to feel stupid!". I can remember countless times when I've been in this same situation and I let it pass by. I didn't want to do it again. I told her I would love to take her to LifeChurch if she ever wanted to check it out. She responded with the polite "Oh yeah, thanks..." I left it at that, but as I was walking out I knew I didn't do enough. I decided I would go find internet access (sorry no iphone here) somewhere, find her on Facebook and give her times, locations and info on the internet campus. I just finished that up and am praying that God uses it to change her life and bring her peace and joy like she's never experienced.

My prayer for myself is for more boldness and that God will give me the words to say. This wasn't just a random girl from college, it's an eternal life and I should be jumping at the chance to invite her to church, not hestitating! There is no greater honor than to know the God of the universe can and wants to use me to advance His Kingdom! Now I'm looking around I-hop to who I can invite next :). Who do you need to invite?

Two Fears

Anyone who knows me knows that kids and I don't mesh really well. It's not that I don't like them, it's just I don't know what to do with them! I'm intimidated beyond belief by these little people, how to talk to them, how to meet their needs, etc. Another fear that not too many people know is that I'm scared to go into hospitals. One, I don't like to see people in pain and secondly I literally have to fight passing out while I'm there. I remember when I was in 5th grade my mom broke her back, I remember having a really rough time going to the hospital and I honestly don't remember going more than twice. Another time I visited a friend who's appendix ruptured, I was in the room for about 5 minutes and had to leave. After that I just called to check in :).

So what does God choose to do with these two fears of mine? He combines them of course! After spending a week with terminally and chronically ill children at Camp Cavett I believe God is asking me to go and serve those kids on a regular basis. This area is definitely out of my comfort zone, but when God directs you to do something what else can you do but obey?

Lessons from Summer Missions #2

I spent four days this summer at Camp Cavett. This camp is put on by Children's OU Medical Center and is for chronically and terminally ill children. It's a chance for them to get away from their day to day hospital life and to have a little fun.

At last year's camp there was a little boy nicknamed God's Tuff Angel by his dad for his strength and courage throughout his cancer. God's Tuff Angel went to be with his heavenly dad before camp came around again this year. In his honor, this year at camp they created "God's Tuff Angels" choir. The kids who signed up to be in the choir practiced all week for their debut on the last day of camp. The little boys dad and brother made the trip down to camp so they could see the choir that was named in honor of their son and brother. Emotional? Heck yeah.

One of the songs they sang flooded me with emotions. It was a song I have sung a thousand times at church camp and now it has a whole new meaning to me. One of the lyrics of the song is "Seeking you as a precious jewel, Lord to give up I'd be a fool. You are my all in all." Man- watching 20 terminally ill kids get up there and sing about not giving up, fighting. They are fighting for their lives, they don't take a single breath for granted. And the amazing thing is that I truly believe I see them experiencing true joy. They are not complaining or whinning, but taking advantage of every moment they have with the ones they love. What am I fighting for? The newest technology, nicest clothes, best reputation? What little obstacles do I complain about and let get in my way while these kids are jumping mountains?

All in All lyrics:

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all

Seeking you as a precious jewel
Lord to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all

Jesus, lamb of God
Worthy is your name
Jesus, lamb of God
Worthy is your name

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless your name
You are my all in all

When I fall down you pick me up
When I am dry you fill my cup
You are my all in all

Jesus, lamb of God
Worthy is your name
Jesus, lamb of God
Worthy is your name

Lessons from Summer Missions #1

I'm dedicating this week's entries to what God has shown me over the past six weeks. I've been traveling to four different Overnight MicroMissions and two campus visits. During this time I've felt God moving in me and my relationship with him deepening.

One of the biggest things I've learned is how to seperate my job and my time with God. In the last three years I have never gone an a mission that wasn't tied in some way to my job. I would either be running errands, critiquing the mission experience or delegating task. I love this aspect of my job, but God showed me their is a difference between that and serving out of my own time.

I had the opportunity to join 50 other LC.tv attendees as we headed to the Texas/Mexico border. I had no job on this mission but to go and serve. I didn't know behind the scenes details, the itinerary or what "mishaps" were going on. It was amazing! Not only did I get to just serve, but God also reignited a passion for serving that has been dwindling for some time. I'm recharged and excited about creating opportunities for others to go and serve in mission.

I am currently looking for an area where I can just serve seperate from my job and even my church. A place where I can go just to serve and see God move. I feel God pulling me in a certain direction but am going to continue to pray and see what doors open. Stay tuned!

Motives

God is teaching me a lot about my motives. I have always craved validation, approval and affirmation from people to let me know I was a "good christian". Growing up I tried to be extra good by going the extra mile for people, letting others know I was praying for them, reading my bible every night and being involved in christian organizations and bible studies. Today I can get caught in that same mental trap of performing by going on lots of missions, being a volunteer on the weekends or working tons of overtime at my job. These are all great things but what is my motive behind it? Am I focused on what others think, "Do people see what I'm doing?" "Do they know how hard I'm working?" "What do they think of me?". Or am I focused on how God wants to use me asking questions like, "God, how do you want to use me on this mission?" "What areas do you want me to serve?" "What direction do you want to take my projects and the missions ministry?"

God is showing me more and more that I have it backwards. My focus, love and attention all needs to be on God and daily growing in my personal relationship with him. I truly truly want to do what God has created me to do, I want him to use me to make a signficant impact on his Kingdom. I am working on keeping this focus on God and not worrying about approval of others. I'm excited to see where God takes me!