I think the title is pretty self-explanatory...so here goes.
1. It's no longer just a cliche when I say "it's not about me". It really isn't, and even more importantly, it never was. Jesus was all about others when he was on this Earth. Honoring His Father with His ministry, His purpose and blessing the people around Him were all that mattered. With the Lord's help, it will continue to not be about me post - Pine Cove.
2. There is genuine, life-transforming, heartfelt joy to be found in every single instant of my life. That joy can't be dependent on the situation, the people around or even how I feel about the matter. The joy comes straight from the throne of God Almighty. He is the only source of true, lasting joy. This is not to be confused with happiness, which comes and goes like an East Texas rain storm.
3. We are capable of immensely more than we can comprehend when we submit our will and our strength to God's authority, purpose and plan. He can take us further, longer and help us accomplish much more if allow ourselves to be a tool in His hand. When we exhibit humility and the ability to relinquish control to God, only then can we begin to see our full abilities begin to flourish.
4. There are few things more beautiful and heart-warming than a bunch of individuals from diverse backgrounds, upbringing, education and personalities coming together to work as a single unit. It's one thing to hear a Forgie talk about community, but it's entirely different to live smack in the middle of it for 7 weeks. I can't fully express how incredible it is to see Romans 12 lived out on a daily basis.
5. Following along with number 2, I learned that there are about 8.2 million ways to enjoy life that I never really took the time to see before. I was accused by several people whose opinions I greatly value that I was too serious / intense / calculated, etc...and I sought God's will on exactly how to fix that problem. His joy is the answer...also, I'm making a conscious decision to laugh and smile more. It really is the best medicine.
6. Serving others is one of best feelings known to man. Especially when it's done in the proper attitude (bringing glory to God). I've never had a problem with the actions of service, but the motivation wasn't right. It always came out of a sense of duty or obligation, I was happy to do it but only because I felt like it was expected of me. After this summer, not only is the motivation where it belongs...there's an eagerness and a longing to serve that wasn't there before either. That's definitely a God thing.
7. Sarcasm has been firmly replaced with encouragement. At first, sarcasm seems like a harmless thing. I used to take great joy in a well-placed sarcastic jab at someone. I've begun to understand that speaking truth into someone's life is one of the most powerful ways God can use me. No sane person would turn down genuine encouragement from someone in their life. God has revealed the sarcasm / encouragement relationship as something that needs considerable work in my life.
8. Patience has been developed where there used to be none. I can't think of a better way to develop patience in me than to place me in an environment where I have zero control and zero authority and I am subject to the "go here...go there...do this and then that" will of my superiors. There were many times this summer when I was put in situations where the unexpected happened and it was blatantly obvious that I was being presented with an opportunity to work on my patience (it rained 45 of the 59 days I was there).
9. Humility and teachability have gone hand-in-hand this summer. It was my prayer going into this time at Pine Cove that these two things would be developed in large amounts. Thank God my prayers were answered. I learned how to be a good follower again and I was reminded that I don't do a very good job of following at SFA. That will change once the semester returns.
10. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, I learned this summer that significance is infinitely more important than success. The path I'm walking right now will, Lord willing, lead to fabulous success in the world's eyes. It would be easy to lose focus in the midst of worldly success and forget that having significance in the lives of those around me is the goal. Significance brings the power to bless, encourage, disciple, shepherd, and truly love those in my life with Christ-like passion and fervor. The Lord is still teaching me how to attain and retain that significance in His eyes, it will undoubtedly be a lifelong journey.
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This list is only a synopsis of the work God did in my life during my 7 weeks at Pine Cove. There's no telling how much other stuff has happened that I haven't even figured out yet. Thanks to the important people in my life, you know who you are. Your support through this season has helped God do His thing in my life. Now, on to the next adventure...hazzah!!
Christ. First. Last. Always.
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