Lessons to be learned

We are wrapping up our third and final week here in Tennessee, which also means that it's my last week of MOVE this summer. The weeks in Tennessee have been challenging, yet at the same time so incredible.

Over these three weeks we have had many experiences that could have set us back, but we didn't let them. The Spirit has still been moving, we can't allow certain situations to hinder us from sharing the love of Christ with those students here who are so hungry for Jesus. The first week we had major registration issues, which caused us to have to play catch up for the next few days. This problem began to feel like less and less of a concern as more problems arose. We have had students here who were ready to attempt suicide, students who had a friend at home hang himself while they were here, last night we had a student who found out that his mom passed away. All of this makes issues like being short on mattresses or registration problems seem minuscule. While being on the side of CIY that hears about all of these issues, I have also been able to see that even with all of this going on there are students here who are feeling God speaking. In the midst of chaos I am so encouraged by the faith of the students here and their willingness to surrender their lives to Christ. The boy yesterday whose mom died said to his dad on the phone, "I know dad, but I believe that God is going to use this for something bigger." I was reminded by this 16 year old boy that we can have hope in God no matter what the circumstance.

As people get tired and worn down people's joy seems to wear away as well. Patience becomes harder and harder as we are busy and are constantly around people. However, I think about Jesus and the love he had for people. When He was tired He still loved. When people physically beat him he still loved. When people denied him he still loved them. If Jesus loved like this, why should I love any less than he did? "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10. Every morning when I wake up I have to make the decision to show love to everyone I encounter that day. I'd love to say I have done this perfectly, but the truth is I haven't-It is still something I have to work on daily. One of the most important things I have learned this summer is that we are all very different. God has given each of us our own gifts. It talks about this in Romans 12 as well. It takes all of us and all of our different gifts to make up one body. God doesn't expect us to do it all, He instructs us to lean on each other and to bring all of our gifts together for His kingdom.