Hello All!
I apologize for the lack of posting... I promise to be more judicious in my efforts in the upcoming weeks and months!
I had my commissioning service at my home church of Henderson Hills this evening and it was just another reminder of the concluding and wrapping up that is taking place in my life. As the first round of my friends from training leave for the field in about 4 hours, I am still having to remind myself that I am not here at home to get comfortable or "hang out", but to say goodbye for a while and to reflect on the change that is coming. It is easy to talk about going to Peru and Guatemala, nodding my head with a smile and saying how excited I am to go. The enthusiasm is genuine and the calling is true, but I need prayer for the stretching that God will do in me over the next two years. Whether it is a cultural adaptation, a language barrier, or simply realizing that I am not the center of the universe, my world and my perception of it is about to be radically altered.
One thing that the Lord has been teaching me is that I will not be adequate in ministry. His work will not be done by anything that I have to offer. My personality can't get it done, my smarts won't cut it, and any perception of leadership that I hold will be tried and will fail. I have been learning to claim the promise of II Corinthians 3:15, which says "Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God." The pronouns "I", "my", and "me" is where my perception of ministry is tainted. The Lord is reminding me that all He calls us to is faith and obedience, and He will reap the harvest. The day that I think I have anything to offer is the day that I disqualify myself for ministry. Please pray that this knowledge would become a reality in my life. Pray that I would cling to the promise that the Lord will sustain me if I would but abide in Him.
If you would like to receive my newsletter or you or your family or sunday school would like to partner with me in prayer, please email me at Rockchalkryan@gmail.com. I would sincerely love to hear from you.
6 more days until I get on the plane!
Awaiting His Return,
Ryan
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3 comments:
Ryan, both you and your family are in my prayers. I'm sure you and your family have so many different type of feeling running through your heart and mind right now--excitement, anticipation in how God's going to work through you, joy in knowing that you are in the center of God's will, uncertianties, sadness in leaving family and friends, but excitement for new friends and "family members" in Christ that you will be meeting and growing to love. God is our source for everything! He is so faithful. I look forward to reading about your journey for the next 2 yrs as God works in and through you to do things you would never dream possible. Praying for you!
wow ryan. i wonder what all God has in store for you! we will be in prayer for you and your family. i am SO excited to see how God will use you and how He will continue to mold you more into His likeness.
much love,
lauren mains
You leave so soon! Are you excited? Miss seeing you...
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