God has been doing so much in my life the past few weeks and I've found it difficult to get it into writing without overwhelming all of you who are so faithfully reading this blog. So, I will try to do my best. :)
Since I last wrote, one of the girls planning on going to Bangladesh, has now - through much prayer - switched to the Philippines team! So, we now have four girls and two guys (including our leaders). I am so excited! We've begun meeting as a team on Monday afternoons (team building), Wednesday lunch for prayer, and Friday afternoon just the girls. It's been so nice to have more time to get to know these incredible men and women I'll be spending intense time with for a little over two months. More on Philippines ministries to come...
As for my heart, mind, soul...well, God has been moving in GREAT ways! We have been learning about the character & nature of God, hearing His voice, spiritual discipline/evangelism, the Holy Spirit, and spiritual warfare/freedom. The last couple of weeks, especially, have been trying. Here are the things God has been speaking to me about:
- This is to be a time of rest for me; learning what true rest in Him looks like, and intentionally integrating that into my daily life
- I have a desire for greater passion in Him that motivates me to action for His Kingdom. I'm finding that this is going to come more and more as I fall deeper in love with my Jesus.
- He has been bringing up other gifts that He's given me, and is calling me to integrate these into my everyday life, as well. (ie: intercession, prophetic worship...) He's giving me more opportunities for creative outlet (dancing, painting, writing). It has been so fun!
These are just a few of the things God has been doing in me. There is so much more...but I am still processing all of this. For those of you you have been supporting me - whether financially or through prayer - I want you to know how incredibly grateful I am! I am so appreciative for this season in my life right now. I desire to gain 100% of whatever God has for me. I'm learning more about the importance of stepping out, risking my own reputation for the benefit of God's reputation being known! God has also been speaking truth into lies I have believed. Here is what I have grasped:
- The sin in my life has never and will never define who I am. God defines who I am. In that knowledge, I can step out in risk, knowing that my mistakes will only be used to teach me, strengthen me, and grow me. Mistakes are helpful in building my character, but are NOT what defines my character.
- God will never leave me or forsake me (Joshua 1:5). There is NOTHING I can do to cause Him to leave me. So, in that truth, I can be completely myself before Him. I can bare it all!
- He is always with me. So, in all things, I can turn to Him for comfort.
Thank you, Lord, for everything you are doing in and through me during this time. I pray that this is only the beginning of this new part of our relationship. I pray that everything you desire to stick with me from this time sticks. Cause this experience to be the catalyst that catapults me into all the riches you have for me in this life - including every persecution, trial, and time of suffering - for I "know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope" (Romans 5:3,4).
~Megan
