Greater is the one in us...

I was reminded recently of our desperate need for God. Not just for salvation, but also in the fact that we can literally not do anything without him. If you think about it for a moment, it makes sense. He gives us life and breath every day. He gives us the strength we need to make it through every day.

In life, many people strive for greatness. It's a huge part of the American dream. Do something great so you can be great. It is so focused on personal gain that, frankly, it's exhausting. Really. Do you know what it takes to be great today? Save a life. Run a company. Start a life changing mission. Et cetera, et cetera. I'm kind of overwhelmed just thinking about it. Seriously though. I'm currently training for a half-marathon. The energy it takes for that alone is simply amazing. Yea, this is slightly different, but you get my point. I CAN'T do it without him. And I would never want to.

And want to know something awesome? God never told us to walk this alone. And really. Anything that we do with God at our side will be great because God is great. Did you get that? GOD. IS. GREAT. And when he is in us and we allow him to totally have our hearts and lives, great things will happen for his kingdom, even if we don't get to see the fruits of our labor. We have absolutely nothing to do with it except allow ourselves to become a vessel for his will.

Philippians 2:12-13 says this, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Emphasis added.)

Ephesians 3:20-21. "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

It's along the same lines as being the light set on the hill to shine his light over all the nation. (Matthew 5:14-16) His light in us and his work in us is what people will see and will ultimately change the most hearts and lives.

Do you get it? Striving for greatness, or even adequacy, on your own will exhaust you. We were not created to do that. There's a reason Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God and to be strong in the strength of his might.

As I sit here praying for God to prepare my heart for my upcoming trip to Cambodia, I am reminded of this. In the darkness that surrounds the lives of those who have been rescued from sex trafficking, I pray that God shines brightly through me. Because I know I will do a poor job of it myself. The beauty of this, though, is that he can be ever more glorified in this weakness. If I only accomplish one thing in my time there, I want it to be that his name is lifted higher and higher.

But you know what's even better? I know it can happen. Because he is greater. He is greater than all my insecurities. He is greater than all my fears. He is greater than any darkness this world has to offer.

A few verses after that Philippians verse, Paul calls for us to work without grumbling or questioning so we can shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation. And, Beloved, we lived in a twisted generation. Can we solve the world's issues? No. But we can shine God's love wherever we go.

So, I guess that's what I wanted to say. Seek God first. Walk humbly in his plan. Great things may come for his kingdom, but it won't happen under your own power. In that, I ask that you continually pray for me in this time. Letting go of control in this trip is hard and I have to consistently give the reins back to God. It's a struggle and I can't do it without your continued prayers. As I begin the fundraising process, this will become more and more apparent. Also, continue to pray that God keeps my heart in the right place. I never want this to become about me or my fellow trip members. Lives are too precious for that to happen.

He called me to the great unknown..

I am really excited for what God is doing in my life in the here and now. For those of you who don't know, he has given me a passion for those who have been victimized in the sex industry and may be trapped in their current situation or not see any way out.

You see, human trafficking is thriving. You may not see it just put in front of you, but just take a closer look and you will see. We aren't even immune to it here in the heart of the US. It is estimated that 27 million people are exploited everyday to serve the needs of others, this isn't just in the sex industry either.

We all know this isn't right. It may pull at the heart strings for you a little. Though it may not be your passion, it is mine. And now I have the opportunity to do something about it.

Come July, I will be traveling to Cambodia with a group from CIY to partner with Rapha House, and organization that provides a safe place for girls who have been subject to a atrocities of the sex industry.

This trip will give me the opportunity to see firsthand the ministry and to partner with them for two weeks helping the long term workers and pouring love into the lives of those girls.

As a child of God who has been forgiven and is truly free in him, I have a call to serve. As it says in Galatians 5:13, "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

God has called us to serve in love, so I am going to Cambodia. And I am asking you to partner with me in prayer. Pray for me now as I raise funds to make the trip. Pray that God will prepare my heart for what I will see and experience. Pray for the others who are going that they will also be prepared for this journey. And then in July, pray that our work will leave a lasting impact for God's kingdom. 

...for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. Song of Solomon 2:11-12