Devotional - June 16, 2011

 I wrote a devotion for one of the mornings on our mission trip in June 2011. I wanted to re-post it just to start off this new blog. Here it is:

     At the beginning of our ASP week, the staff read Romans 12:2, which is actually written on the back of this year’s ASP shirt. Later that afternoon, I went up and re-read it, and I loved it.
       2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
  
But I didn’t stop there. I’m the type of person who tends to keep reading, and it was then that I discovered the rest of the story, and felt compelled to share it.  
    
      3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.  4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,  5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to hisb faith.  7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;  8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
  
These verses really struck a chord with me because I had a really hard time trying to figure out what I could contribute to ASP. In fact, I hoped and prayed that something would come up so that I wouldn’t have to go on this trip. But I am so glad I did. In these words, I was reminded of the intangible gifts I could offer.
John Maxwell said “You never grow unless you step out of your comfort zone.” Well, God has been helping me operate outside of my comfort zone this week. Whether it is talking to new people, like the friendly folks from Boston; or the families I have met; or being a group leader; or even doing this devotion, I’ve had so much fun I haven’t had time to realize I’m not supposed to be comfortable!
So, one point I’m trying to make, I guess, is that even though I came down here to try to help people in Appalachia (and I am hopeful that I’ve been able to do that), it’s ASP that has been helpful to me.
The staff keeps reminding us that this is a relational ministry. But that definition, to me, doesn’t just mean the relationships with the families we are serving, but relationships with the other volunteers. I know that I’ve gotten closer to the people from my own group as a result of this trip. I hope that this experience has been helpful to everyone else as well.
One last verse I would like to share is Hebrews 6:10:

         10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Let Us Pray:
Lord, we thank you for this opportunity to help and to be helped. Even when we think Your will doesn’t seem to coincide with our wishes, help us to understand that You always know what is best for us, even if it’s outside of our comfort zone. We thank you for this fellowship, for putting people in our paths and in our lives that will help us to follow you and carry out your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen