Not By My Power

Hello everyone! hope you're all doing fine. Just to let you know, i am leaving in 2 weeks (oct. 14)! wowzers...it snuck up on me :) Not too much excitement around here yet...although i got my visa which was pretty cool. I will probably get my travel insurance today or tomorrow. There are a lot of little things i need to take care of-getting some sort of money belt, proper clothing, gulping vitamins, a bag for my camera and laptop, getting everyone's skypes, and trying to wrap my brain around what i'm doing.

At the beginning of all this, i thought that getting ready for the trip meant shedding all of my problems and being perfect by the time i left, so that i would be strong enough to bring people to Christ. In these past months though, I have found that the truth is I will never be ready in that sense. I am a human being. Even when i do get past problems, more will await me. God is the one with the power. He is taking me with Him, not because i am strong but because i am willing. :) How awesome is that?! My weaknesses only show that God is strong enough to overcome them.

That realization really hit home one day this summer, while i was babysitting my cousin Alivia. I woke up grumpy that morning, and continued to be so throughout the day. Not very Christ-like, if you want the truth. I didn't want to play with her, and i wasn't in the mood to teach her anything or tell her stories like usual. It was on this day that God chose to work in Alivia's heart. Sitting at the table coloring, she started asking me about God and at one point her eyes just lit up, and she grabbed my hand and said "let's pray so Jesus comes into my heart." We prayed and our little Alivia is saved :) On my worst day, God used me to lead my cousin into making the most important decision of her life. That's when i realized that God doesn't need me to be perfect to carry out His will. Like i heard in church a few weeks ago, "Christianity is one beggar telling another where to find bread."

I am as ready as i will ever be to go to India, because God is with me, and when God is with me, who can be against me? "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinth. 1:3-4) God is the one who comforts us, through each other. Beyond our problems, God can shine through and give others peace.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:21). That's my prayer for all of you as you go about your day. Remember that even weaknesses can shed light on the awesome power of God. If we were all perfect and strong, what need would there be for a Savior to lean on?