It is the work that God does through us that counts, not what we do for Him.

I read this in my devotional this weekend and I had to go over it a couple times to grasp its full implications. Christians are always trying to do stuff for God.  It goes hand-in-hand with our North-American mentality that we do not have worth unless we are producing something.

But in the process of doing things for God, we sometimes forget to check up on our heart and mind. Are they ready for God’s work to be done through us? It is fairly easy to build a house for someone in Africa, or volunteer at the local food bank, or sing in the worship band at church on Sunday.

It is a lot harder to develop the environment within us that lets the Holy Spirit truly breathe and thrive and change lives around us.  Are we obeying God in every area of our lives?  Are we actively surrendering jealousy, bitterness, materialism, lust, discontentment and worry at the Cross or are we trying to hold onto them while simultaneously trying to build the house in Africa, volunteer at the food bank, and sing worship at church?

Doing things for God will not benefit God’s Kingdom nearly as much as creating an environment within you that does not quench the Holy Spirit.  When the Holy Spirit is allowed to breathe freely within us, our acts for God will truly have an impact.  This is my prayer for all of us this week.

Michelle

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I took a year off after high school and went to the African country of Namibia to help with two missionary families with their kids and volunteer in the community.  My time there was unbelievable; I have fond memories of trekking through the sand streets into town to get groceries, seeing countless wild elephants in the Caprivi Strip, waking up at 5:00 am to watch the glorious African sunrise, and witnessing lightning-filled rainstorms that were unlike anything I had ever experienced.  I developed a close friendship with my housemate Sarah, and the two of us would teach the missionary kids, volunteer at the Red Cross shelter, visit local preschools, and lead Saturday Club for the local kids in the neighbourhood.

However we were faced with some disappointments and challenges. One day, all our clothes were stolen off the line outside and we were left with bare necessities for the rest of our time there.  A deadly meningitis outbreak hit Rundu, the town we lived in, and the government declared a state of emergency right as we discovered that our immunizations for meningitis had long expired.  We came close to being attacked by a guy with a shovel one night, and once at the Red Cross shelter Sarah escaped from a man who tried to forcefully pull her into an isolated room.  Needless to say, we were exhausted and started to worry about our safety.

Every week the small missionary community would have a prayer meeting and Bible study.  It was at one of these that we discussed Philippians 4:6-7:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

One of the other girls pointed out that in traditional human warfare, we use walls, tanks, and guns to guard ourselves.  But God always flips everything on its head. His peace is what guards our hearts and minds.  This peace transcends circumstance, and it keeps us going through the hard times.  I found this to be very encouraging for the remainder of my time in Rundu.

Do you worry?  What are you worried about?  Why are you worried about it? If we obey God and use all the energy we usually spend worrying on praying instead, God promises to guard our hearts and minds with his peace.  I know I need that today, do you?

Michelle

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I will never forget the shrieks of laughter that occurred this past Thursday morning.  We ran, giggled, spun in circles, fell head first down the drive way and haltingly picked ourselves back up for the better part of an hour.  I could give you time to guess what we were doing…but you wouldn’t!  We were chasing shadows. That’s it.  There were no dramatic events or special props we were just enjoying a beautiful spring day and the effects that the shining sun was giving us.  Playing is one of my favorite parts of my job!  For those hours while I look after these children, I get to stop acting like an adult and get down to their level.  I get to relearn life and how each small detail thrills or horrifies them.

As Sam and I chased our shadows, I began to wonder…when exactly was it that I stopped loving the simple things of life?  When did I stop being thrilled by a shadow, or awed by moth?  Children have this unique gift of taking time to smell the roses and appreciate the hugeness of everything God has given to us.  When was the last time I took time out of the busyness of life, to simply enjoy life?  I have found that when I allow the spontaneous, unplanned and sporadic moments to happen and when I have allowed myself to truly appreciate them for all they are, that God has often chosen those moments to whisper his words into my heart.

So here’s the question I’ve been asking myself.  A question that really I think we all need to be asking.  How can I begin appreciating the simple things of life again? What needs to change in my life so that I recognize the simple things as being unique God moments?  Today I took time out for a long walk in nature and a phone call to my Grandma.  Not only do I feel less stressed then I do when I am in constant high gear mode, but I also have a Grandma who was blessed that I thought to call her and made sure to tell me that she prays for me daily.

So what does it look like for you?

Andrea

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I sat down to dinner with my 77 year old Grandmother the other night, who watches t.v religiously. The popular reality t.v. show “The Bachelor” somehow became the focus of our conversation. She filled me in on the latest drama. It was down  to the finale . Two girls remained out of the original 25. Tonight was the night the bachelor would pick the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Meanwhile, the rejected girl returns to her normal life -like the other 23 contestants- devastated and heart broken. DRAMA!!!!!! I left the table feeling distraught thinking … why would a girl do that to herself?

Girls have gone  to great lengths to find love. In this day and age we are encouraged to put ourselves out there. Oftentimes we do. Hoping all along that we’ll be noticed and chosen to be the recipient of a man’s attention and affection. We search for love with reckless abandon, giving our heart to undeserving candidates. Then we are left to deal with the consequences.

We are so quick to give away the very thing that gives us life . . . our heart. It is the core to everything we are - physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Physically- it keeps us living. Spiritually- it is the place the Holy Spirit dwells. Emotionally- it is where passions are birthed, joy or anger is felt, and desires are cultivated. Girls, our hearts are the most valuable thing we have. Proverbs 4:23 verifies this when it says ” Above anything else guard your heart, for it is the source of life.‘ It is time we stop using our hearts as tools to bargain with, and toys to be played with.  It is most valuable thing you will ever possess.  GUARD IT. Keep careful watch as to who/ what has access to it, and influence over it!

Jessica

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“Just follow your heart.”

Despite how lovely it always works out in the movies girls, it’s not very good advice to follow.

DO NOT follow your heart- your heart can easily be deceived.

You must lead your heart.

Which means you must know where to lead it.

You find this out by following Jesus with everything you have.

Today.

Jay

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