What has Taken Place Spiritually this Summer

This is my response to a debrief question that was somewhere along the lines of "What has Taken Place Spiritually this Summer" asked by the great folks at world harvest missions. 

I guess to answer that question honestly I would first have to confess my pre-formulated  Christian-sounding response. Along side this response there is a confession of pride and a desire to be viewed as holy and knowledgable of The Lord in a profound way. My pre-formulated response would go something like this: "Hebrews 12:28 talks about the unshakable kingdom we receive in Christ, and verse 27 talks about how God shakes all creation so only the unshakable remains. These verses really resonated with me over this summer because these truths are clearly amplified in a cross-cultural setting.  This is only one of the reasons I strongly encourage  that everyone should go on a cross-cultural mission experience."  Before I move I want to validate that I believe my pre-formulated response is not only biblical but the reality of those words did play out some this summer for me.  The reason I confess that answer rather than profess it is that it is good sounding head knowledge, that God was faithful in fulfilling despite me. That response does not leave room for God uniquely working in me, a specific loved child of God. It does not point to the fact that He loves to pursue me passionately creatively and with newness. So although I definitely had some American values shaken leaving the solid underlying foundation built on The cornerstone of Christ, He more so taught/retaught me of His diversity in "speaking"  caring and loving for His people. 

One obvious way He "spoke" to me was through the sonship course, lesson after lesson on our undeserving adoption into His family. However, these lessons also made a clear distinction that undeserving does not mean begrudgingly. God not only redeems, meaning turns our mess-up into a situation where good can come out of it, but He also does not make His love contingent on our actions.  

I have also been aware of His diversity in speaking by witnessing and partnering with different Christians making a real impact in their community, some in ways completely different than the way I would.  The third main way this spiritual awakening has happened is that my go-to ministry tactics were neutralized by me going out of America. These go-to tactics include things like purchasing food for a loved but in need child of God with my credit card. This allows me to meet a physical need while looking for an opportunity to go into spiritual matters. I think this is a good practice and plan to continue getting to know the less fortunate around me, but it is also a situation I have prepared and prayed for, again both good things. It simply took me out of my comfort zone, which I thought was much larger than it actually is, to come across situations with no precedent and realize God still wants to move through me in situations I am clueless on what to do.

To end this post I just want to say another serious thank you for all my supporters partners and pray warriors who helped me get to Ireland, and to preserve with faithfulness for the whole time. If anyone would like to talk to me about my time in overseas missions this summer please message me I would love to share more of how Jesus moved this summer.