Standing firm in faith for me is a complete dependence on Father. I know in that I can contribute nothing to the Kingdom. I bring nothing to the table. Anything that happens of significance happens because of Father. He allows it and makes it happen. Once I begin to live like it's not of my power that can bring about spiritual conversations or new believers, I can a new and great freedom. I ask Father for big things, knowing in full faith that He can do big and miraculous things, but I may not see Him answer those requests. He is in control. His plan will be accomplished, in His timing. His name will be glorified throughout the nations. I will find joy in being allowed into his work, because He could command the rocks and trees to cry out to Him, but He chooses to allow me into His work. That is an absolute blessing that I will cherish. Right now, I'm just trying to be obedient to His will, whatever that looks like.
Today, that looked like spending time in the park with a few of our friends here and their families- loving on and playing with their children. It was a great day of fellowship, and it was really good for my heart and mind to just hang out. We had a great time.
A few days ago we had a free day, which we spent around the city and visited the Dutch Resistance Museum, which was really cool for a history nerd like me. The next day was our focus day which was spent in fasting. I was really concerned about it because I thought it was going to be the most difficult thing I ever experienced. However, it was not that bad, mainly because we slept through part of the fasting time. We also spent a lot of the day in the Word, and that was really good. It was a great day that we all got to just focus on Father, and be rejuvenated. They were really great days of rest that have prepared us for the crazy times that are about to come.
1 Corinthians 3:5-9 says "What, after all, is Apolllos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe-as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building."
This is something that has been drilled into us over our time away from home. There is nothing we can do to provide the growth, only Father can do that. Accepting this and applying this in my own life has been a great experience. I've felt nearer to Father than ever before, and I've seen Father just answering prayers. I've been absolutely floored by His power and majesty. Father is great and greatly to be praised. I am having a great time and lots of fun in Amsterdam, but I'm also growing nearer to Father and learning more and more about Him. It's a great time.
Here are some pictures because I love to add them in every time.
This is our team and our Canadian friend Carl that we met in the hostel. He was awesome and hilarious! He said that he often pictured Americans drilling for oil with the American flag in one hand and a bald eagle perched on their shoulder.
This is me in front of Westerkerk. Anne Frank writes about hearing the bells from this church a lot in her diary. It's really close to our hostel too! So, that's really cool. I often refer to it as Anne's church.
This is in front of one of the many, many canals here in Amsterdam. My father was begging for some canal pictures.
And of course, the obligatory ridiculous Sarah picture. This time featuring Kelley.
No comments:
Post a Comment