Week ten of our trip and the reality of living with 14 other people has set in. All the little habits of people are out. As frustrations or annoyances grew I went to God searching. How do I love the people who rub me wrong, who are just plain difficult at times? As I sat in a field near a waterhole last week I decided to listen to a podcast from my church at home. I had 17 on my ipod but only one would work and it was no coincidence that it was on authentic community. It hit me in the chest as he challenged the congregation to change their view on community. He explored the difference between finding worldly community that is centered on affinity or lifestyle commonness and the community we are called to as Christians. We are called to love and be in community and our commonness is solely Him. We as a body should have diversity and learn to embrace that.
I finished the podcast feeling so convicted about how I love my team. But God was not finished with me yet. I woke up the next morning to read in 31 Days of Praise (day 20) and it was based on praising Him for the seemingly difficult people in our lives. And then asking for His wisdom and guidance as we learn to love and accept them as He does. Wow, what a challenge. He was not going to let this community idea get away from me. He continues to challenge the way I respond and react. He is morphing my mindset to be fully focused on love. It is so hard and challenging at times and He has to remind me all the time of His love for each person.
Please be praying as we have less than a month left. Pray we finish strong. Pray we stay united as a team and that any issues will be handled with wisdom and love from Him. Pray that we strengthen together to make lasting friendships as we serve together.
No comments:
Post a Comment