Thy will be done...

It has been nearly three months now since we set sail from MN. Though we are still enjoying the journey, we are feeling like the honeymoon is nearly over – meaning the novelty of traveling is fading away. And now the hard work of persevering in what God has called us to do – and learning the lessons He brought us out here to teach us – is what is at hand.

We are in a season of leaving things behind - moving away from what was. It is a process of letting go of what we’ve known – good and bad. The words Jesus spoke about a grain of wheat having to fall into the earth in order to bear fruit resonate with me.

"Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal. – John 12:24-25 (MSG)

It reminds me of baptism...allowing myself to be submerged under water where I can no longer live - and then being raised up again to new life. It also reminds me of the Israelites who were delivered from slavery by passing through the waters of the Red Sea. Passing from death to life requires us to trust God.

This is my hearts desire - to cooperate with what God is doing in me in this season. I want to allow my selfishness to die. I want to be refined and transformed - to have the mind of Christ. I want to bear the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me. I cannot do this on my own.

I want my life to accurately reflect who God is - to glorify Him.

Letting go is one part of the journey - the other is being raised up to new life and moving toward what is to come. What that will look like, I do not know. But I’m willing and excited to find out.

Thank you for praying as you think of us. Pray that each of us will embrace this season of repentance as God refines and purifies us and that we will take hold of and prepare for what lies ahead. We pray the same for you. While your journey may not look exactly like ours, it is a journey nonetheless.

God’s desire is for each of us is to become who He created us to be and to do what He’s called us to do so that we can participate with Him in bringing the kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. That is a huge calling – one that takes each member of the body of Christ doing their part and working together.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done...on earth as it is in heaven!

PS Isn't it cool that while God refines us, He does not destroy us. His love for us is so extraordinary that He gently leads us to repentance which results in transformation. He does not condemn us - He rejoices over us! Thank you, Lord, for your kind and gentle ways and for your patience.