midpoint

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

By His grace I have made it to the halfway mark. Now it seems like the months are counted down rather than up. The first six months have been filled with much reflection on who I am in Christ, His purpose for bringing me back to Mexico, and what His desires are for me. God has really stretched me, challenging me to grow in His love and grace, and teaching me how to trust in Him. In this process He has given me amazing people to mutually encourage me – family and friends back home who have stayed involved, friends here who have shared in faith as brothers and sisters in Christ, and authors (such as Oswald, Piper, and so on) who provide insight and exhortation. It’s been a delightful first half.

In recent weeks I have been challenged in my commitment to the Camino community. It’s been frustrating not understanding the morning service messages. So, I stopped attending service two weeks ago and it’s been bittersweet. I use Sunday mornings to listen to sermons online so that I’m fed, but I miss the fellowship with the church. But beyond this, I realized that there is a deeper issue at hand. You see, I have had a pattern of complacency in my life and relationships. And as I prayed and reflected more on what was really going on underneath the frustration, I quickly saw as God revealed to me through His Word and Intercessor that my natural self was deflecting back to its comfortable ways. And I know through experience that this is what backsliding looks like. And I refuse to backslide. I don’t want to be a builder who has started and quits halfway. I want to keep building because I know that it is for God’s glory, not my own which will fade.

The building of ICLS is a continuing process. As we discern God’s vision for the school and work to carry out the mission, we pray for the team’s growth in quality, in numbers, and in finances. Everything we do and need we depend on faith in our Father God who provides. Though we lack in some areas, God has been gracious in teaching us how to work together, to go beyond ourselves in meeting the needs of students, and in growing our faith.

In thinking particularly about the next six months, my personal goals are to persevere through trials (which are so trivial in comparison to so many others), to grow in faith, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5), as well as an instructor of language. It’s been such an exciting journey walking with Christ, in knowing Him more, and in discerning His will for my life (Romans 12:2). As I continue to trust Him, I am filled with joy and peace, so that I may overflow with hope by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). My prayer is the same for you, too. Amen.