Christmas always seems to be a time of reflection and as I look over this past year I get teary-eyed. I've learned so many faith lessons, discovered new passions and met some pretty incredible people. Not to mention...I have the privilege and honor to work alongside others as they begin their journey of serving the Lord in Asia. Sometimes, I still cannot believe that this is my life right now. But, the thing that I am most humbled over is in my increased confidence in God as He works in and through me. Confidence was my word for 2011 and I wish I could say that it was a breeze, but it was actually quite the opposite. It was hard...it still is hard. I trust that the Lord will continue to refine me so that I will confidently step up to the things that He is stirring in my heart. Mainly, the dreams and desires that He's placed right in my being. Friends, these things are impossible. No, truly they are. But, I'm confident that these desires were placed on my heart by the One whose plans for my life are bigger and richer than any I can even dream or imagine. And, thank goodness that, while I cannot, He is able.
A couple of weeks ago my pastor told a story that, I'm convinced, was just for me. We had a Christmas fun night one Wednesday, complete with carriage rides, games, food, carols. It was so much fun and such a beautiful display of community. One of the games was one that involved 2L pop bottles and plastic rings. The participant got 3 rings to throw--they got to keep any pop bottles that they rung. He explained how the bottles were lined, pointing out that the furthest bottles were about as far apart as the the area where he was standing. (I won't even try to tell you how far that is because, well, I'm terrible at estimating distance...but it was pretty far.) He said the only 2 people that were able to get one of their rings around those furthest bottles were a 2 year old and a 3 year old. The didn't aim, they had no intention of getting those bottles, and their rings ricocheted off of the ceiling, walls, bannisters and fire extinguishers. He was illustrating how faith sometimes seems so reckless to the world, but makes perfect sense to the Lord. I know I haven't done this story justice, but he ended it by saying..."you're never going to get it if you don't throw your ring."
Faith is risky, often looks unpolished and always requires a sacrifice--be it time, treasure or talent. I never ever want the words..."I would never go/do __________"...to come out of my mouth. I've already said yes...and I'm sensing that He's prodding me again to take that first step, to throw my ring...and He'll take care of the rest... Is the Lord asking you to do something "risky?" You can trust Him completely, after all, He's got the whole world in His hands.
I love this tweet by Pastor Brian Houston: *Hope & faith together are a combustible force. They have potential to explode into answered prayers!* BOOM! I love this illustration of hope and faith being combustible forces--supernatural and explosive!
Blessings to you and yours! xox
