I had no idea how tiring this project was going to be.
For years, I grinded through two-a-days in August sun, but this is something else entirely. The weather here is mild, cool in the mornings and evenings, but during the afternoon, the sun comes out and bakes the city. In many of the places where students gather, you're hard-pressed to find good shade. It's physically taxing walking through the city in the heat.
Concentrating through the conversations, usually for an hour or more at a time, is mentally draining. We're in France. People either speak French or broken English. Either way, it takes a ton of concentration. Plus, we're constantly on the look for windows to the gospel. If I need to answer in French, that takes time and thought. If I need to answer in English, I have to annunciate and choose small, easily understood words. It's a completely different experience.
Finally, it's spiritually exhausting. It's great because your beliefs are challenged every day, and you need to be able to put forth sound reasoning to your truth statements, and be able to challenge theirs. It's an opportunity to constantly rely on God.
I'm looking forward to the French summer project to arrive this week. People who speak French and love Jesus will be a refreshing change of pace. I'm sure we'll all be encouraged by their presence.
I keep reminding myself of Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Monday, June 29, 2009
Weekend Wrapup
So, I wrote this on Saturday evening, but couldn't post until right now.
Today, 1 Corinthians 1-2 was screaming at me.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18 NIV)
People cannot desire what the Spirit desires without the indwelling of the Spirit. Therefore, we shouldn’t judge those without the spirit, or expect them to be able to discern right from wrong, as one with the Spirit. Also, 1 Cor. 2:14.
“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom … for I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified … so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Cor. 2:1-5 NIV)
Although the Lord gives us spiritual blessings, as Paul writes in Eph. 1:3, we can’t rely on anything or anyone but the Lord to further His kingdom. I’m reading two books of Christian apologetics, but no amount of apologetics can hold a candle to God’s boundlessly given grace.
Therefore, we deserve nothing when we see success in evangelism – Eph 2:8-9 – and we face no remorse for failure. In fact, when cannot even begin to determine success or failure, because we do not know what God is doing in each person’s heart and life. (1 Cor. 2:11-16).
UPDATES
While it’s great to meet new people, I’ve experienced a lot of joy in furthering relationships with three guys I’ve met this week. They came to our soirée on Friday, and basketball on Saturday, and they want to meet again to go out for lunch or a drink sometime in the next week. Please pray for Manni, Alain, and Charles.
The church Aaron Lane and I attend is currently hurting for people to play instruments for worship. Aaron plays the piano, and I said I could learn some of their songs on guitar, and they were happy to hear it. Please pray that Aaron and I can begin to play adequately enough to lead worship in a foreign language!
At church, Aaron and I have been welcomed in extremely lovingly. It’s a small place, and they want to get to know us better. There are a couple of socials next week that we’ll attend, and a couple who speaks english at the church invited us to dinner at their house at some point. The church has been a huge blessing during this trip. I definitely feel like I have two very tight-knit groups for Christian fellowship, which is rare in such a lost city!
Saturday night was the first free night that we really knew the city. I went out with a few guys to check out a part of town that was wildly recommended to us by some French students. It’s called the “Banana district” and it’s an old WWII shipyard turned into a grouping of clubs and bars. We listened a part of a public concert – people who were clearly French, but sand in English. After, we walked to a bar where we could sit outside, and watch the sun set on the Loire river. It was gorgeous, and there was a band playing Gypsy Jazz music, some songs I recognized as Django Reinhartd. Definitely different from the bars I'm used to at OU.
I got to talk to Marie on Skype for the first time since the trip started. I miss her a ton, and seeing her didn’t help! I know that a lot is going on at home, but I’m sure that when I return, it will feel like I never left. Knowing that, it’s important that I make the most of this trip that I can, and put the trappings of home out of my head as much as possible. I can’t wait to get home and meet with all of you personally and share stories from Nantes!
Today, 1 Corinthians 1-2 was screaming at me.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18 NIV)
People cannot desire what the Spirit desires without the indwelling of the Spirit. Therefore, we shouldn’t judge those without the spirit, or expect them to be able to discern right from wrong, as one with the Spirit. Also, 1 Cor. 2:14.
“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom … for I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified … so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Cor. 2:1-5 NIV)
Although the Lord gives us spiritual blessings, as Paul writes in Eph. 1:3, we can’t rely on anything or anyone but the Lord to further His kingdom. I’m reading two books of Christian apologetics, but no amount of apologetics can hold a candle to God’s boundlessly given grace.
Therefore, we deserve nothing when we see success in evangelism – Eph 2:8-9 – and we face no remorse for failure. In fact, when cannot even begin to determine success or failure, because we do not know what God is doing in each person’s heart and life. (1 Cor. 2:11-16).
UPDATES
While it’s great to meet new people, I’ve experienced a lot of joy in furthering relationships with three guys I’ve met this week. They came to our soirée on Friday, and basketball on Saturday, and they want to meet again to go out for lunch or a drink sometime in the next week. Please pray for Manni, Alain, and Charles.
The church Aaron Lane and I attend is currently hurting for people to play instruments for worship. Aaron plays the piano, and I said I could learn some of their songs on guitar, and they were happy to hear it. Please pray that Aaron and I can begin to play adequately enough to lead worship in a foreign language!
At church, Aaron and I have been welcomed in extremely lovingly. It’s a small place, and they want to get to know us better. There are a couple of socials next week that we’ll attend, and a couple who speaks english at the church invited us to dinner at their house at some point. The church has been a huge blessing during this trip. I definitely feel like I have two very tight-knit groups for Christian fellowship, which is rare in such a lost city!
Saturday night was the first free night that we really knew the city. I went out with a few guys to check out a part of town that was wildly recommended to us by some French students. It’s called the “Banana district” and it’s an old WWII shipyard turned into a grouping of clubs and bars. We listened a part of a public concert – people who were clearly French, but sand in English. After, we walked to a bar where we could sit outside, and watch the sun set on the Loire river. It was gorgeous, and there was a band playing Gypsy Jazz music, some songs I recognized as Django Reinhartd. Definitely different from the bars I'm used to at OU.
I got to talk to Marie on Skype for the first time since the trip started. I miss her a ton, and seeing her didn’t help! I know that a lot is going on at home, but I’m sure that when I return, it will feel like I never left. Knowing that, it’s important that I make the most of this trip that I can, and put the trappings of home out of my head as much as possible. I can’t wait to get home and meet with all of you personally and share stories from Nantes!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Revealing Fissures, Building Bridges
On Wednesday I went sharing with David “Paydirt” Pater. We got invited to lunch with the group we were sharing with, and that gave us a great window in which to share our beliefs. They seemed to believe there was a God, but didn’t realize how Christ could impact somebody's life.
This is so typical in France. People don’t understand their need for a savior. Even if they believe in God, they don’t understand the disconnect between a perfect God and an imperfect people.
1 John 5-6 says “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to follow Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and don’t live by the truth.” God cannot allow an imperfect people to interact with Him and dwell in His kingdom. The Spirit cannot enter an unjustified body.
Dave and I got the same reaction when we met Charles, a really cool guy who loves sports and people – his grandpa was on the French Olympic basketball team that lost to the Americans in 1972. Charles had grown up in the Catholic church, but still didn’t fully understand the gravity of God. The full truth had not been revealed to him. It was a joy to share the gospel story, carefully going through the separation of God and man, and all of our need to repent of our sins, and surrender to the God of the universe.
David and I were talking to each other about the person of Christ, and what it takes to know Him. The French cannot truly understand what forgiveness from Christ means until they understand the need. There has to be a gap before there’s a bridge. The fullness of what this means cannot be grasped in the short hours we have with them, barring some drastic revelation from God.
Once the person sees the need for the bridge, they can fully grasp the person of Christ. At that point, what else is there to do besides glorify God? Our song of praise should be the loudest in all the Earth. In Nantes, I want simply to glorify God by spreading His gospel.
Overall, the day was really amazing. David and I were able to meet some interesting people. Again, both contacts were willing to talk, and talk for a really long time. We invited Charles to play some soccer or basketball sometime, and to come to our party on Friday. We made some facebook contacts, and I hope to see them all again during the five weeks I have left here–which suddenly seems all too short a time.
This is so typical in France. People don’t understand their need for a savior. Even if they believe in God, they don’t understand the disconnect between a perfect God and an imperfect people.
1 John 5-6 says “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to follow Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and don’t live by the truth.” God cannot allow an imperfect people to interact with Him and dwell in His kingdom. The Spirit cannot enter an unjustified body.
Dave and I got the same reaction when we met Charles, a really cool guy who loves sports and people – his grandpa was on the French Olympic basketball team that lost to the Americans in 1972. Charles had grown up in the Catholic church, but still didn’t fully understand the gravity of God. The full truth had not been revealed to him. It was a joy to share the gospel story, carefully going through the separation of God and man, and all of our need to repent of our sins, and surrender to the God of the universe.
David and I were talking to each other about the person of Christ, and what it takes to know Him. The French cannot truly understand what forgiveness from Christ means until they understand the need. There has to be a gap before there’s a bridge. The fullness of what this means cannot be grasped in the short hours we have with them, barring some drastic revelation from God.
Once the person sees the need for the bridge, they can fully grasp the person of Christ. At that point, what else is there to do besides glorify God? Our song of praise should be the loudest in all the Earth. In Nantes, I want simply to glorify God by spreading His gospel.
Overall, the day was really amazing. David and I were able to meet some interesting people. Again, both contacts were willing to talk, and talk for a really long time. We invited Charles to play some soccer or basketball sometime, and to come to our party on Friday. We made some facebook contacts, and I hope to see them all again during the five weeks I have left here–which suddenly seems all too short a time.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Je m'appelle Super-Greg
We've gotten into the swing of things here. Bible study (1 John) in the mornings, outreach in the afternoons and team dinners in the evenings.
At dinner, people have shared some crazy stories about the French hospitality once a relationship is established. One group even had an old lady pile them into her tiny Renault and drive them to church.
The French are open to sitting and conversing over a baguette or a drink. Popular places in Nantes are on the campuses, on the steps in front of the Opéra, around the huge fountain in the city center, in the gardens of the chateau, in one of the many parks, or on the banks of the canal that splits the city.
The conversations have gone really well. They usually start off with some questions about culture, i.e. what is there to do on the weekends, or where do they like to go to get lunch for cheap. That's followed by questions about school or what they do with their time. I've met a couple of pianists from Paris, a professional figure skaters, a renewable resources contractor and a bunch of students from the campus.
The French seem to think about spiritual things every once in a while, but they are seldom discussed. When I meet groups of friends, I ask them if they talk about spirituality ever, and they say no. It's hard to find somebody who even knows another Christian. Most have never been to church, and some come from families where nobody has gone to church in the past few generations. Spirituality is definitely on the backburner.
That being said, they have been eager to talk about God, about purpose and afterlife, about morality, spirituality, Christ, religion, war, politics, sports, anything. They love to talk, and never seem to have anything else to do. Conversations can and have lasted hours.
My French has been effective, though sparse. They don't teach you how to convey the gospel in high school French class. It's been fun to talk to people who speak as much english as I do french. I told one girl my name at the end of our conversation: I said "Je m'appelle Greg." Somehow, she thought I said, "Je m'appelle Super-Greg." Oh man. My French must be horrible. We laughed, and when we left the conversation, I heard her say "au revoir, super-Greg!"
These people I've met; Charles, Julian, Antoinne, Daphne, Pierre, Paulin, Victor, Axelle, Leah, I feel like I know them all so well after a single conversation. They were all strangers at the beginning of the week.
I'm growing used to Nantes. Right now, they have a huge art festival going on. All kinds of modern art in the city. Wooden "creatures" emerging from the canal downtown, a giant wooden modern art assembly in a club, a pack of wolves in the grass by the moat of the chateau, a hydraulic mechanical elephant. We are always surrounded by art – and 800-year old churches that sit empty.
Sunday night, there was a music festival. Bands set up in the streets all over town. Anybody who wanted to play could, if they had space. Professional musicians and hobbyists shared the same stage – the cobblestone street. People ate it up. They danced, laughed, sang. It was an amazing evening.
So, now that I've caught you all up/bored you all to death, I want to iterate how much of a blessing it is to be here. The fact that I need to be a good steward of the resources it took to get me here and keep me here is incredible motivation to be bold in sharing my faith and make the most out of each day. I pray that God is glorified by the way I spend my days in Nantes.
At dinner, people have shared some crazy stories about the French hospitality once a relationship is established. One group even had an old lady pile them into her tiny Renault and drive them to church.
The French are open to sitting and conversing over a baguette or a drink. Popular places in Nantes are on the campuses, on the steps in front of the Opéra, around the huge fountain in the city center, in the gardens of the chateau, in one of the many parks, or on the banks of the canal that splits the city.
The conversations have gone really well. They usually start off with some questions about culture, i.e. what is there to do on the weekends, or where do they like to go to get lunch for cheap. That's followed by questions about school or what they do with their time. I've met a couple of pianists from Paris, a professional figure skaters, a renewable resources contractor and a bunch of students from the campus.
The French seem to think about spiritual things every once in a while, but they are seldom discussed. When I meet groups of friends, I ask them if they talk about spirituality ever, and they say no. It's hard to find somebody who even knows another Christian. Most have never been to church, and some come from families where nobody has gone to church in the past few generations. Spirituality is definitely on the backburner.
That being said, they have been eager to talk about God, about purpose and afterlife, about morality, spirituality, Christ, religion, war, politics, sports, anything. They love to talk, and never seem to have anything else to do. Conversations can and have lasted hours.
My French has been effective, though sparse. They don't teach you how to convey the gospel in high school French class. It's been fun to talk to people who speak as much english as I do french. I told one girl my name at the end of our conversation: I said "Je m'appelle Greg." Somehow, she thought I said, "Je m'appelle Super-Greg." Oh man. My French must be horrible. We laughed, and when we left the conversation, I heard her say "au revoir, super-Greg!"
These people I've met; Charles, Julian, Antoinne, Daphne, Pierre, Paulin, Victor, Axelle, Leah, I feel like I know them all so well after a single conversation. They were all strangers at the beginning of the week.
I'm growing used to Nantes. Right now, they have a huge art festival going on. All kinds of modern art in the city. Wooden "creatures" emerging from the canal downtown, a giant wooden modern art assembly in a club, a pack of wolves in the grass by the moat of the chateau, a hydraulic mechanical elephant. We are always surrounded by art – and 800-year old churches that sit empty.
Sunday night, there was a music festival. Bands set up in the streets all over town. Anybody who wanted to play could, if they had space. Professional musicians and hobbyists shared the same stage – the cobblestone street. People ate it up. They danced, laughed, sang. It was an amazing evening.
So, now that I've caught you all up/bored you all to death, I want to iterate how much of a blessing it is to be here. The fact that I need to be a good steward of the resources it took to get me here and keep me here is incredible motivation to be bold in sharing my faith and make the most out of each day. I pray that God is glorified by the way I spend my days in Nantes.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
First Sunday in Nantes
Just had my first church experience in Nantes. Saturday night, we all split up and formed groups to go to the seven different protestant churches in Nantes. A guy named Aaron and I went to l'Église Protestant Évangélique de Nantes Ouest. I know, it's a mouthful, but regulars call it Protestant Évangélique Ouest.
First, Aaron and I had to find our way there. We boarded a bus at 9:40 (the busses only run at half-hour intervals on Sundays, and this was the first run – it was do or die) with only two people on it, including the driver. As I scanned my ticket, the driver asked "est-ce un biblé?" I answered yes, and he told me that he was protestant. We had a conversation about different churches, and the spiritual condition of the city, and he gave me his name and phone number. The giving of names in France only comes at the end of conversations, if they like you. The giving of phone numbers seldom happens. So, needless to say, I was very encouraged with the first conversation of the day.
When I went to take my seat on the bus (it was about a half-hour trip) Aaron, who doesn't speak any French, was trying to talk to a man who didn't speak much English. It was funny to see their interaction of mainly body language as they ground out a few facts. "Are you Christian?" "Yes" "Protestant?" "Yes" "Where are you going to church?" "PEO" "Moi aussi!!"
Two for two. Thanks, Big Guy.
The service was two hours, with meditation, public prayer, worship, sermon, offering, communion, news, and benediction. The church was small (45-50 people), and very diverse. The sermon was, in short, about keeping Christ our priority, and Christ's priority was the great commission.
The highlight of the service – singing one of my favorite hyms "It is well with my soul" in French.
During most of the service, I journaled – about the experience in the bus, about the day of exploring the sights of Nantes and initiating conversations the previous day, about our vision for the summer, and in prayer.
After the service, I met with about five people. Étienne, a U of Nantes student, Bevis, the youth pastor at the church, Daniel, the senior pastor, and some other members of the congregation. They were all excited to hear about the Project, and excited to hear that they had two American missions students joining them for six weeks.
Bevis invited us to his wedding next Saturday. David invited us to a congregation picnic and coffeehouse next Sunday. Étienne invited us to the Marche pour Jésus, a walk for Jesus (a sort of gathering) in the city.
Better morning than I could have anticipated.
Now, I'm sitting near the river, in the LU cookie company brasserie, one of the only places with free wifi.
I just read about the death of the father of a close friend. It's devastating news, and proof that life on this earth is temporal and precious. The news refines my sense of purpose to share the gospel with the lost on campus and in this city. I will continue to pray for Evan and the rest of the Wray family.
Some verses that are helping me with our purpose in this city:
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Joshua 1:9
Philemon 4-7
Matthew 28:18-20
Thank you all for your continued encouragement! I hope this blog is helpful in letting you all know a bit of what is going on during our action-packed days!
First, Aaron and I had to find our way there. We boarded a bus at 9:40 (the busses only run at half-hour intervals on Sundays, and this was the first run – it was do or die) with only two people on it, including the driver. As I scanned my ticket, the driver asked "est-ce un biblé?" I answered yes, and he told me that he was protestant. We had a conversation about different churches, and the spiritual condition of the city, and he gave me his name and phone number. The giving of names in France only comes at the end of conversations, if they like you. The giving of phone numbers seldom happens. So, needless to say, I was very encouraged with the first conversation of the day.
When I went to take my seat on the bus (it was about a half-hour trip) Aaron, who doesn't speak any French, was trying to talk to a man who didn't speak much English. It was funny to see their interaction of mainly body language as they ground out a few facts. "Are you Christian?" "Yes" "Protestant?" "Yes" "Where are you going to church?" "PEO" "Moi aussi!!"
Two for two. Thanks, Big Guy.
The service was two hours, with meditation, public prayer, worship, sermon, offering, communion, news, and benediction. The church was small (45-50 people), and very diverse. The sermon was, in short, about keeping Christ our priority, and Christ's priority was the great commission.
The highlight of the service – singing one of my favorite hyms "It is well with my soul" in French.
During most of the service, I journaled – about the experience in the bus, about the day of exploring the sights of Nantes and initiating conversations the previous day, about our vision for the summer, and in prayer.
After the service, I met with about five people. Étienne, a U of Nantes student, Bevis, the youth pastor at the church, Daniel, the senior pastor, and some other members of the congregation. They were all excited to hear about the Project, and excited to hear that they had two American missions students joining them for six weeks.
Bevis invited us to his wedding next Saturday. David invited us to a congregation picnic and coffeehouse next Sunday. Étienne invited us to the Marche pour Jésus, a walk for Jesus (a sort of gathering) in the city.
Better morning than I could have anticipated.
Now, I'm sitting near the river, in the LU cookie company brasserie, one of the only places with free wifi.
I just read about the death of the father of a close friend. It's devastating news, and proof that life on this earth is temporal and precious. The news refines my sense of purpose to share the gospel with the lost on campus and in this city. I will continue to pray for Evan and the rest of the Wray family.
Some verses that are helping me with our purpose in this city:
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Joshua 1:9
Philemon 4-7
Matthew 28:18-20
Thank you all for your continued encouragement! I hope this blog is helpful in letting you all know a bit of what is going on during our action-packed days!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Finally here
pardon the lack of capital letters. i am writing from a french keyboard at an internet cafe while the campground internet is temporarily down.
i will do my best to keep you all updated, but the cheap, fast connectivity i so much took for granted in the states is a luxury i wont have these next 6 weeks.
i want to say how amazing it is, other than the technical difficulty, to be in this city. Nantes is cozy and colorful. Seems the average age is about 35. tons of college students in the area. tonight, ate the first round of crepes near a centuries-old church as a distant saxophonist backgrounded an array of french chatter at the surrounding outdoor cafe tables. it was 75 and sunny, and all was well.
the project team is coming together and gelling wonderfully. aided by cramped quarters, we are definitely going to emerge as a tight-knit group. i am so excited to see what the lord is able to do with such an energized and willing group of followers in nantes!
its 10:35 here, and the sun won't go down for about another hour, but i need to head to bed. my head is spinning from the 30 hour day of sleepless travel.
in him,
greg
i will do my best to keep you all updated, but the cheap, fast connectivity i so much took for granted in the states is a luxury i wont have these next 6 weeks.
i want to say how amazing it is, other than the technical difficulty, to be in this city. Nantes is cozy and colorful. Seems the average age is about 35. tons of college students in the area. tonight, ate the first round of crepes near a centuries-old church as a distant saxophonist backgrounded an array of french chatter at the surrounding outdoor cafe tables. it was 75 and sunny, and all was well.
the project team is coming together and gelling wonderfully. aided by cramped quarters, we are definitely going to emerge as a tight-knit group. i am so excited to see what the lord is able to do with such an energized and willing group of followers in nantes!
its 10:35 here, and the sun won't go down for about another hour, but i need to head to bed. my head is spinning from the 30 hour day of sleepless travel.
in him,
greg
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Checking In
Last night, I was thinking, "hey, it's been a while since I've updated my blog. I should get on that."
Recent things that have happened that didn't get blog coverage, but were either important or cool:
1) Switching major from News Writing/Editing Journalism to Social Studies Education
2) Seeing 60 percent of the financial support for my missions trip to Nantes, France come in.
3) Grassy Knoll Fruit Shooters
4) The Red Sox's continued dominance of the Yankees this season.
5) Moving out of the dorms.
So, long story made into slightly shorter story, I decided to write about a road trip. When I got online to write about my recent adventure to Charleston, WV for a minor-league baseball game, I realized a friend already wrote about it, and included video!
So, after violently shutting my laptop in disgust over being scooped, I walked away, still no update. Sorry, readers, I've dropped the ball.
But today, I came across a verse as a part of a new Bible in a year plan my bible study leader is having me do, and I thought "hmm ... this could be the makings of a new post."
Hosea 13:6
When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.
God convicted me with this passage. I know that not all of you will be, but I think it's a profound message being conveyed here. What do we look like a week after God has granted us a "yes" answer to a prayer? Are we still giving thanks in satisfaction, or are we growing prideful, and forgetting the Lord?
This was a wake-up call that I can glorify God more than I have been. My pride was driving a wedge between the Lord and I. What else is new.
Recent things that have happened that didn't get blog coverage, but were either important or cool:
1) Switching major from News Writing/Editing Journalism to Social Studies Education
2) Seeing 60 percent of the financial support for my missions trip to Nantes, France come in.
3) Grassy Knoll Fruit Shooters
4) The Red Sox's continued dominance of the Yankees this season.
5) Moving out of the dorms.
So, long story made into slightly shorter story, I decided to write about a road trip. When I got online to write about my recent adventure to Charleston, WV for a minor-league baseball game, I realized a friend already wrote about it, and included video!
So, after violently shutting my laptop in disgust over being scooped, I walked away, still no update. Sorry, readers, I've dropped the ball.
But today, I came across a verse as a part of a new Bible in a year plan my bible study leader is having me do, and I thought "hmm ... this could be the makings of a new post."
Hosea 13:6
When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.
God convicted me with this passage. I know that not all of you will be, but I think it's a profound message being conveyed here. What do we look like a week after God has granted us a "yes" answer to a prayer? Are we still giving thanks in satisfaction, or are we growing prideful, and forgetting the Lord?
This was a wake-up call that I can glorify God more than I have been. My pride was driving a wedge between the Lord and I. What else is new.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Treading Water
Support raising is feeling like treading water. I'm working, but not seeing much of a change in scenery.
Whenever people told me that raising support was one of the most trying times they had been through in college, I kind of acknowledged it and shrugged it off. "I'm sure it was," I would say. Now, I have seen and can personally attest to this very fact. And, I'd like to add a few words of my own: it's awesome.
With support raising, I fall into worry every day. I worry I won't raise the money, I worry I'll send Austin over to France as the lone male representative from OU, I worry I'm missing out on an awesome opportunity to glorify God. I worry, I worry, I worry. Then, I pray.
Worry over support causes me to lift my heart and my summer to God each day. It forces me to acknowledge the goodness of God. If I'm going to be in Nantes this summer, it will be because of Him. I see how support in itself is something God uses to make us glorify Him.
I am still a long way from being done with support. Each day I dedicate time to pray for the project, to grow my support team and that all of those students raising to go to Nantes, or anywhere else, can raise their support.
Even before I board a plane, summer project will have made a tremendous impact on my life, and I'm grateful for it.
Whenever people told me that raising support was one of the most trying times they had been through in college, I kind of acknowledged it and shrugged it off. "I'm sure it was," I would say. Now, I have seen and can personally attest to this very fact. And, I'd like to add a few words of my own: it's awesome.
With support raising, I fall into worry every day. I worry I won't raise the money, I worry I'll send Austin over to France as the lone male representative from OU, I worry I'm missing out on an awesome opportunity to glorify God. I worry, I worry, I worry. Then, I pray.
Worry over support causes me to lift my heart and my summer to God each day. It forces me to acknowledge the goodness of God. If I'm going to be in Nantes this summer, it will be because of Him. I see how support in itself is something God uses to make us glorify Him.
I am still a long way from being done with support. Each day I dedicate time to pray for the project, to grow my support team and that all of those students raising to go to Nantes, or anywhere else, can raise their support.
Even before I board a plane, summer project will have made a tremendous impact on my life, and I'm grateful for it.
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