John 4:34-38
Sometimes, I think that I forget how short life is. In fact, I know this to be true. So many of my thoughts do not dwell on what is happening here and now but on what decisions that will need to be made in the future. All of my thoughts and actions are fueled by what I want to accomplish in a couple of years, and my longing becomes so great for what "joy" lies ahead that I become absent in the present. I'm always looking ahead and hoping for what seems greater on the other side. In high school, it was looking toward college. In college, it is looking toward what I want to do as a career and whom I want to marry. My mind becomes so focused on the future that I am not able to fully engage in what immediately surrounds me. I am the person that Jesus speaks about that says, "There are yet four months," but I am missing the point. In trying to figure out God's plan and hoping that he will show it to me in the next how many ever months, days, weeks, etc., I deprive myself of my life source. My food, my sustenance, is to do the will of him who sent me and accomplish his work. No one would wait four months for food, so why would I push off accomplishing his work? We get so worried about receiving food and what he wants for us from the LORD that we are counterproductive. Jesus says to work now because that is your food. He has already prepared the fields for harvest. Now, go and reap that you may do his will and accomplish his work. I am convicted by the fact that I so often long for sustenance from God and yet lack in working to get it. God has lifted my eyes, though, to see the harvest, and because I have tasted this food, there is no turning back. I must reap and rejoice with the sower.
Being in LA has allowed me to see even more how white for harvest the fields are. I have experienced firsthand people's souls aching for the gospel to be shared, and I have heard numerous stories from students about conversation after conversation. Lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. This past week, I was able to visit one of the ministry sites where four of the students were working for the week. It was a great time getting to see the students interact with the children and love them with the love of Christ, but perhaps the most impacting part was that I was able to talk and share life with some of the children. I was able to meet several of the children and hear about their lives, and the best part came when I ended up learning a jazz dance from some of the older girls at the site. God so rejuvenated me by allowing me to love one on one people that he created, and I was able to share life for a brief moment to show them that they are loved. This interaction made me realize how sustaining it really is to be able to do the work of the LORD. How refreshing it is to know and feel God sustaining you with his work!
God has provided me with an awesome opportunity to be in LA this summer. Initially, the only reason I came to LA was because they needed staff. I love the inner city and God's heart for the poor, so I decided that I would go. Since being here, as I have shared previously, God has completely grown my heart for the city, and the thought of leaving has been one looming over my head. However, God has also provided another opportunity for me to stay longer in LA! As student staff, I was planning on leaving when the staff turns over the project on July 15th (about halfway through the project), but recently, I found out that I can stay as a student on project. After staff leaves, I have the option to join one of the ministry teams and work one on one with the people of the city. I was so excited when I first heard the option, but I definitely wanted to coat my decision in prayer to make sure that I was staying for the right reasons and not just because all of the students on project are amazing. A couple of days later, I have decided to press on this summer. However, to stay longer means that I have to come up with $2200 more than I initially raised to come as student staff. I am trusting the LORD with my future, and He is so faithful. If God wants me to stay here, then, He will bring the money in for me to stay, and if I am supposed to go home, then, I have peace in God providing that way as well. If you're reading this blog and you're thinking, "Wow, Courtney! That's so awesome! I want to know how I can partner with you in the furthering God's kingdom in the inner city of LA!" then, I can tell you right now how you can do that. If you would like to support me as I hope to stay in LA for the completion of project, you can either send a check made out to "Cru" to
Courtney Bell
1401 Valencia Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015,
or you can go online to https://give.cru.org/give/View/5631521;jsessionid=8DFAA627E5F21B0DC09826A5B10E9089.dss2 and give that way. I am expectant for how God is going to provide and grow my faith in this process. I was just encouraged this morning as I was reading through 1 Chronicles 29 where it reads, "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you." I would challenge you that God has blessed you with finances to joyously give them back to Him, and to support Cru's work through Here's Life Inner City on summer project is definitely a worthwhile cause that seeks to see God's work done. So, thanks in advance for your commitment to the LORD!
Pray for:
-staff and students to see their need for the gospel before they can communicate it to others
-students 2nd week of ministry sites
-support to be raised!
No comments:
Post a Comment