A Humbling Thought

I am 6-count 'em- 6 days away from the biggest trip of my life so far. If you've been keeping up with me I'm leaving for a mission trip to Alaska with a team from Bedrock Community Church. I have never been on a plane and I have barely left the east coast. It's kind of a big deal. Back in January, when I signed up, July seemed so far away. That idea coupled with the fact that I was facing the busiest, most stressful semester of my college career kept me from really focusing and preparing for the trip then. This summer, now that my schedule is freed up and I realize that it's crunch time I have been doing a lot of thinking, reflecting and praying trying to get myself ready. Today I've realized that I can't do it.

I can't prepare myself. Not anymore than God already has. And while each member of our team brings something different to the table, it's not our own strengths that got us here. I read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, where Paul says that God chose the weak, foolish, lowly and despised things of the world to shame the strong and the wise. He did this so that we couldn't boast in our own strength, but rely on His. In Chapter 2 Paul goes on to tell the church in Corinth that when he shared the Gospel with them he didn't come with superior wisdom or speak with wise or persuasive words, but that he came with fear and trembling. Again, this was done so that the people wouldn't claim their salvation from Paul, but from God. And Paul couldn't claim that his words or hos wisdom saved the people. He had to rely on the strength and wisdom of God.

That's what I have to do. I can't take it on myself to get ready for something God has been preparing me for my whole life. God has given me gifts, talents and experiences and He has given me this opportunity to use them, but at the end of the day it won't be me that saves anyone. It'll be the love of God.

Proverbs 3:5-6

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.