'I always thank my God for you because of his grace given to you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way - with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge - God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you.' 1 Corinthians 1:4-6
When I was asked to write about thankfulness, I sat up and smiled. Thinking back quickly over my nearly three months in Jackson and how much God has done in that short amount of time. I of course said yes, mentioning about the amount God has done in me to overcome the fear that was in me. His perfect love has come and completely wrecked me, allowing me to see His goodness in it all. Allowing me to give-over control in those things I didn’t even relalise I was controlling. He came in and flipped some ideas upside down. Teaching me how to love in that deep way.
Thinking back to what He has redeemed in my life in a short amount of time. I have plenty to be thankful for!
When I came to ‘We Will Go’, I came with a list of how past experiences created fear, and how that fear could come again through stepping out and being on the mission field. I gave the list to God and asked for help. I knew I couldn’t do it with out Him.
Once in Mississippi I encountered poverty, injustice, spiritual warfare and hardships. Determined to stay focused on those eyes of fire I knelt down and started learning how to give it all to Him. He helped me take it off my shoulders and I started learning how to go to Him rather than allowing fear in. It tends to leave me in a much more vulnerable place, but it means I can see His miracles in each moment. He reveals the fears in my heart and consumes them in His fire with perfect love. I was so used to stuffing my fears and worries down, not wanting to deal with them so I could keep going. Jesus, through His kindness has shown me the freedom in walking things out with Him.
2 Peter 1v4 ‘Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.’
Through participating in the divine nature of God I have experienced miracles happening on the street and hearts being broken for our Lord. There have been many times that Jesus has given me experiences that I don’t remember asking for, yet I know it was a desire of my heart. He has taken me on fun adventures and shown me secrets of His kingdom.
I am so thankful for that deep friendship that takes me through life. From a simple yes I go from being a broken orphan to a daughter undone by His love. I am thankful for His presence that, without, I couldn’t do one day.
I am a thankful missionary instead of a broken one. A missionary that cries out that He is the only way. A daughter of the King that allows His perfection to cover my imperfections through grace. I am learning to do everything with Him. Pouring a bowl of cereal without Him only leaves a mess, just as trying to care of a malnourished children without Him can leave me stuffing the pain down, allowing it to grow into hopelessness.
As Paul writes about in 1 Corinthians, my testimony can only bring thankfulness. He saved me and He helps me. By His grace He has shown me who He is and who I am in Him. The more I surrender to Him and allow Him to reign in my life, the more I see His goodness in it all. Thank you Jesus!
As I am now in another moment of waiting on a visa, waiting on thousands to come in to my bank account for tickets and visas, waiting on documents to come through. I sit thankful that I am whole in Him. I am thankful that I know He has me and I can trust Him. I sit in England after landing a few days ago, looking forward to going back to the place He has called me. I sit here wondering how He is going to bring forth this miracle once again? I know in it all, He is good.
Please stay in touch with me and how I can pray for you! Thank you to each one of you that are praying for me and are cheering me on! Means so much to me!
