Last year, I was a broken little girl who had always depended on someone else for security, had never known her own faith and had been afraid to step out from under the shadow of others and into her own light. Then, going out on my first Dominican Republic mission trip, I was thrown into a whirlwind that would spin me out as a changed woman by the turn of the next year.
Through this experience and the past year, I have gained complete confidence in myself and in my dreams. The most important thing to keep in sight is not to strive for an earthly prize, but instead for a heavenly one. With God at my side, insufficiency is out of the question; it is impossible. I can reach my full potential through His love and through His grace! The goal I strive for, a goal that has taken me farther already than I ever could have gone on my own, is to learn to love others as God loves me and for my heart to break at what breaks God's heart - in all that I do.
Sometimes people ask me why I'm so happy all the time...and I've often failed to answer unless something amazing had recently happened because, simply, it confused me as well. I know now why I can't stop smiling, why I cannot keep from singing - because God is so AWESOME!! He gives me so many blessings and fills me with so much joy!! I can't get over His AMAZING love.
Every morning in the Dominican Republic this year, we held a sunrise praise and worship on the roof of the almacén. We sang facing the rising sun and praising God! How many people can say they've watched a sunrise in the Dominican Republic?
There I was last week, a year passed since my last broken heart, and I was leading a small group faith sharing, praying in my group, singing unreserved, and I was there as a leader of the student organization. I literally blow my own mind when I think of how far I've come.
And take a look at that GORGEOUS sunset God gave us last week!!! I've never seen anything so beautiful! God is the artist I aspire to be...I don't want to paint just what I see - I want to communicate love through everything. Communicate love...one of the ten principles Orphanage Outreach sets for its volunteers. We could learn to live every day through those ten and get a lot more out of life, I think.
In no particular order:
1. Communicate love - We aren't always going to get a chance to have full conversations with the people we meet, or even to make a huge difference in everyone's life, but we need to snatch up the little chances we get to share a smile or encouragement at any moment. A little love could transform someone's heart and you'll never know it.
2. It's not about you - It's about God. A personal lesson I'm learning about this is that while I'm sitting here trying to decide if I want to get married or go it solo, I have to realize it's really not about what I want, but what God has in store for me. So I can be relieved of that burden and let God work everything out.
3. Jump right in - Don't wait and see how things pan out. If you have a decision to make, start working toward one of your options. God will open the doors on your journey when you've chosen the right path, and if you keep your faith in Him you will also see the doors closing when you need to change direction.
4. Acknowledge yourself - You are a major part of God's plan. Know that and actualize your potential. Without you, His kingdom would not be the same.
5. Poco a poco (little by little) - The Grand Canyon wasn't built in a day; it started out with just a few corroding drops of water. Likewise, you will not see the ultimate good God has in store for you from the start, and the difference you are making may not seem like much in the beginning. God wants to make a Grand Canyon of your life - just be patient with the water droplets.
6. You are responsible - You get out of life what you put into it. This doesn't imply the American dream myth that working hard will land you the big bucks. I mean to say that if you jump at every opportunity to live a fulfilled life and to get everything you can out of that, then you will be blessed and fulfilled, and your needs will be met by God. If you aren't satisfied with life, take a new risk and make something of your time here. No moment should be wasted - we call something waiting - "No. We breathe. We pulse. We regenerate. Our hearts beat. Our minds create. Our souls ingest. 37 seconds, well used, is a lifetime." (We watched Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium in the DR).
7. This is it - This life...it's all we have. This is the time to make things happen. And yes, life isn't the most pleasant experience most of the time. But in realizing this, one can learn to embrace every lesson along the way and carry the positive experiences through the rest of life even when leaving those moments behind.
8. Serve, don't help - The people we are serving throughout life should never be looked down upon. These are our fellow humans, no matter what circumstance they are in or what background they come from. It is important to assume a humble attitude and always extend a loving and accepting hand to our brothers and sisters in need.
9. Release the hero within - Everyone is a fascinating story waiting to happen. Your story is a magnificent one, no matter how uninteresting you may seem to yourself. Realize that you are a unique and unrepeatable miracle of God. Isn't that similar to a hero? All the superheroes we read about have special powers unique to themselves and incomparable to others. Everyone has an inner hero that can be released if we only let it grow.
10. We are going to not include "You are Orphanage Outreach," because that really doesn't apply to everyday life, now, does it?
Think of what we could do if we all believed in and worked to fulfill our full potential and purpose in Christ...the result would be earth-shattering.
God loves you and has an amazing plan for your life.
<3
No comments:
Post a Comment