2009 Update #11

Reflections of Praise

This month seemed to go by a lot quicker than usual. I guess changing your clock (even within the same time zone, thanks to daylight savings) can really play with your perception. Or, you could say I had a lot of fun (time flies when…). It truly was entertaining to see God work out what I thought was impossible. Even though there were some stressful moments, as I look back I can still see God putting it all together according to His perfect timing. [Sometimes, though, I wish He didn't like to live so close to the edge. ] We’ve been able to confirm 5 hosts for 5 countries in 2010. That’s one more than I was anticipating just a month ago and 500% growth over this past year! That sounds really impressive if you are willing to overlook the fact we only had 1 host in 1 country.

All joking aside, that truly is the hand of God at work. It has been a major personality stretch for me to be on the front lines of making connections with people I don’t know in places I have never been for something so much bigger than I am. There have been times I would take a step back and ask Him, “Are you sure you want me here?” He was always faithful to remind me it isn’t my ability that will get any of this done; it’s His.

Please Pray

• our recruiting process. It’s great to have hosts. Now we need teams to send to the hosts. Pray God will be preparing the leaders and members He has already chosen to use next summer. This is also going to be a major personality stretch for me. Please pray I will be willing to work at growing in one of my areas of weakness. Pray especially for Martin, who will be going to Dallas to recruit at the LeadNow/Fusion conference this Thursday-Saturday (Nov 5-7). Thanks, Martin!
• a solid communications strategy. This is a job in itself! In fact, it used to be my old job. I’m learning how true it is that ministry is a communication function and how important it is for Christian ministries to communicate well internally in order to bring the most important message to places and people who need it. Pray we will follow God’s strategy for His message through us. Pray we will also follow Him in developing the resources needed to communicate.
• supernatural productivity. You think I’m kidding, but I’m really not. There is so much more to do than I have time to do it. Until we are in a position to bring in more hands in some organized manner, you’re stuck with just me! Please pray along the lines of Psalm 90.17.

Looking Ahead

Lately, I’ve been thinking about love. Don’t get too excited…no major status changes. I recently heard a speaker claim he was so sure God loved him. This guy had no doubt if anyone could ask God whether or not He knew him, God would say, “Oh, yeah…of course I know him! I love that guy!” He wasn’t being cocky or boastful. He just knew where he stood with God because he loves God intensely, and his life naturally (and supernaturally) bears the fruit of that. What an incredible picture of security!

Having heard bits and pieces of this guy’s journey, I’m pretty sure that kind of love didn’t just happen because he chose it or committed himself to it. It takes some effort and discipline to get to that position, but you can’t make that kind of love materialize. It isn’t the result of doing stuff for God or in His name, as good as that is. I’m starting to suspect it is quietly built over time in those private moments when no one is looking and no one but you and God know what is happening. You can’t even share it with anyone because He is doing something during those times that you can’t quite explain, not even to yourself. You can only share — in fact, you can’t not share — God is real. Doing the good stuff then become inevitable; you can’t not acknowledge God before others through your words, your actions, and your presence because you love Him too much to do otherwise.

I want to get to the point where I go through my days knowing God and anyone else can look at me (not just my actions) and say, “yeah, God knows her. He loves her, and she knows it.” It’s not something anyone has to explain. Maybe they simply can’t, but they will know it undeniably. “Good deeds” might be a clue, but they aren’t the core. The root of it all will be a desire to “show off” the God I love. Please pray even as I grow in serving God and His Kingdom purposes through WFI, I’ll ultimately grow more in love with Him.

Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10.32