This summer has been such a great time of learning and growth. I am so blessed to have had the privilege of spending time in Galveston and Matamoros. As the weeks go on, I realize more and more how passionate I am about what we have been doing. I am learning to ask myself the question, "Does it matter?". When plans change or things happen differently than I expected, I have to repeat the question. But when I ask I don't just mean do I think this is a big deal? When I ask, I am really saying does God think it matters? Another way of explaining it would be to say, "Does what I am stressing out about have any eternal significance?". If the answer is no, I don't worry about it. If the answer is yes, I take that thing very seriously. I am learning to be chill about things that don't matter (and I mean really matter), but to take seriously the things God sees as important. It's a cool thing to be learning. I'm learning something else that is equally, if not more, valuable. As I said earlier, I am passionate about what we are doing - great. It's a good thing to be passionate about ministry, but it's far greater to be passionate about the King we are serving. I'm learning to be passionate about Jesus and about His Kingdom, and then to do ministry as an act of worship naturally flowing from my affection for Him. I must never love serving God more than I love loving God. Anybody can do nice things. Anybody can help people out. You don't have to have Jesus for that. But behind the service there is hope – hope that a hurting world desperately needs. People in Galveston need more than just someone to gut a house or paint some walls – they need the hope that comes from knowing the loving-kindness of the heart of the Living God. People in Mexico need more than just money to meet their physical needs – they need to know the true wealth we are given in Jesus. God is doing great things all around the world and I am thankful to be part of it, and I am thankful that He is working in my heart as well.
Matthew 5:8
