So here I am, about to head over to Spain in a week and I have been finding myself getting really nervous. I've never been on a mission trip like this before, I haven't had a whole lot of experiences that I have been uncomfortable and relying on Jesus to come through. This has been a sample of my prayers lately.. "Jesus, I don't know what I'm doing. I know zero spanish, when we go over there, we have no real plan, no itenary. So I am just suppose to go up to random people, in a completely different culture then I'm use to, and try to communicate to them the gospel in a language that I don't even know? How is that going to work?" Then Jesus brings you to mind. I am going over there for only 10 DAYS! You're over there for a year and a half! I am going over with 40 of my closest friends, you are there with no one that you really know. What the heck am I concerned about? Sister, you just amaze me. I don't know if I could do what you are doing. You are so faithful, so trusting and dependent in Christ. I am so thankful for you and your example.
So, I have been learning a lot about faithfulness in the realm of discipleship. Since basketball ended last year, I have found myself going crazy! I have never had this much time to meet people, to be available for girls and to share the gospel with so many people. This has been my mindset, "I just need to meet people, I need to share the gospel with them, they need to know Jesus.. blah blah blah..." Just recently, it was almost as if Jesus smacked me over the face and was like, "Whoa Lauren, slow down... I have given you many girls to be faithful with, girls who know Christ but are babies, pour your life out for them!" I don't know if you read "My Utmost for His Highest" but there was a really great one that I'm going to share a little bit with you..
"Exhaustion means that our vital energies are completely worn out and spent. Spiritual exhaustion is never the result of sin, but of service. Whether or not you experience exhaustion will depend on where you get your supplies. Jesus said to Peter, 'Feed my sheep,' but He gave him nothing with which to feed them. The process of being made broken bread and poured-out wine means that you have to be the nourishment for other people's souls until they learn to feed on God. They must drain you completely- to the very last drip. But be careful to replenish your supply, or you will quickly be utterly exhausted. Until others learn to draw on the life of the Lord Jesus directly, they will have to draw on His life through you. You must literally be their source of supply, until they learn to take their nourishment from God. We owe it to God to be our best for His lambs and sheep, as well as for Him. Have you delivered yourself over to exhaustion because of the way you have been serving God? If so, renew and rekindle your desires and affections. Examine your reasons for service. IS your source based on your own understanding or is it grounded on the redemption of Jesus Christ? Be exhausted for God, but remember that he is your supply. "
Oh baby! That's nuts!
"Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds." Proverbs 27:23
"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all." Phil 2:14-17
"Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." Colossians 1:28-29
Gosh, discipleship is hard! Thank you for teaching me what it means to be faithful with people, to really love people and train them up in Christ. Sorry this was long.. but this is my first blog post so.. this is what ya get :)! Know that you are loved sister. You are being fought for over here in prayer. You are admired. Keep pressing on, keep telling people about Jesus and laying your life down for Chris and the gospel like you did over here!
Dybs
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