Month two of my time in the ISEED program has been as exciting as the first month! Working with students, learning through our classes and from other staff and volunteers and simply being part of what God is doing is a blessing that I cannot quite describe in words.
Two especially helpful learnings have been from the storytelling class and our attending prayer class. I was able to use my learning from the storytelling class to prepare for the monthly Satsang meeting. Practicing sharing a Bible story to those unfamiliar with Scripture and being coached and critiqued in class helped me approach the Satsang with a lot more comfort and confidence than I would have had without the class. It also helped me to tell the story much more effectively with God’s help.
Additionally, the attending prayer class has reminded me to stop talking all the time!! I have found joy and peace as I rest in God and trust Him to speak when I go to Him with my questions or just simply need to hear His voice. God’s love as revealed to me through my times of waiting on Him in quietness has helped me grow to trust Him more and as a result to obey Him more as well.
Even in the midst of exhilarating experiences of seeing God work so beautifully in my life and the lives of the students with whom I am interacting, I have come to recognize the challenges of doing ministry. I am constantly confronted by my weaknesses and my need to rely on God completely, knowing that this is His work and I can do nothing apart from Him (John 15:5 – one of the first verses we memorized as part of our MasterLife training). I am grateful that God graciously leads me to do work that seems too great for me. It reminds me and even forces me to run to Him, instead of placing confidence in my own strength – which is always a temptation. These battles along with personal battles that God is leading me through sometimes can be exhausting, but I thank God for the strength He gives me in my weakness. I know that everything I have is from Him and I pray that I will continue to remember that truth.
A picture from our Hocking Hills Trip. Water always brings me to a place of resting in God.
