Best Efforts

Sometimes, I'm tempted to think that I have more control than I actually do.  The reality is, there's very little I can control.  And even the very little that I think I can control is nothing but an illusion anyways.

Work fools me sometimes.  It lets me think that I can control certain outcomes.  That if I put in my best effort, things will work out in the way that I want them to.  But I've been in projects where my blunders didn't affect the overall success of the entire transaction and projects where I've done everything right, and things still don't work out. 

So I have to remind myself sometimes that, in the end, I need to be working for the glory of God.  That my work is for the advancement of the Kingdom, first and foremost.  In the moments where I hold on to that truth, there is no room for anxiety.  There is no more room for anxiety because Christ reigns supreme and powerfully over my work, over my life, over all creation.  Existence continues only because Christ wills it.  And His will is done - on earth as it is in heaven.  Always.        

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  Colossians 1:16.

Thank You for helping me surrender.  More and more.  Each and every day.

Asking Christians Questions

This may come as a shock to a lot of people, but Christians are really really messed-up people.  Christians are the people who are so incredibly messed up that they realize that they need a savior - that they can't save themselves and therefore need God to step in.  Christians aren't perfect.  They are far far far from perfect.  I, myself, am a great example of a messed-up person.  I know I'm screwed up.  I know how easily I'm tempted by sin. 

So please don't be too surprised when Christians say things that you may not agree with.  Do I wish they could have spread their message in a more nuanced, more loving, more perfect way? Absolutely.  But discourse is not discourse without disagreement.  And strongly held opinions are strongly held opinions! 

God is love.  Even when His own children don't get it quite right.  And we are all sinners.

Unexpected Gifts

I don't have the best relationship with my landlady here in China.  In fact, her son all but accused me of causing her to have a minor stroke...

This week I was reminded of the sensitivities required in effective, empathetic communication.  I (probably through my upbringing and my own personality) tend to skew very much towards confrontational communication - sometimes to my (and the other person's) detriment.  But there is grace.  Grace upon Grace.  Grace sufficient to repair relationships strained by my own foolishness.  Grace sufficient to strengthen relationships weakened by my own laziness.

Through the grace of God, I was able to renew my lease this past October.  And yesterday, through the grace of God, my landlady agreed to replace my couches.

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.