Work in Progress

So here I am...two days before I leave for Japan. I have been through so many swings between being nervous and excited that my pendulum is no longer pendulum-ing. It's in the middle...all numb and in shocked disbelief that I'm going to be in a country I don't know with people I don't know and customs that I'm not used to...and people I want to be vulnerable with.

I would very easily beat myself up for not completely and totally focusing on God in this...There is some truth to that. A lot of truth to that...BUT I know that this is a big thing. I know that I am a work in progress. I know that God is doing things in my heart and in the hearts of my teammates to prepare us...things greater than anything I could ask or imagine. My security begins here. It begins in the grace that I have that makes me able to laugh at my weaknesses, knowing that I have the hope of glory. It begins in the knowledge of my identity in Christ, already robed in His righteousness. It begins in the good works that He has set before me and has prepared me for. He turns my attention to these things and I am comforted and fortified in the love of Christ. I have faith that He will continue to do this and that I will learn.

Let me be found a liar, and He be found the Truth. Let me be found faithless, and my God faithful. Let me be the clay, and He the Potter. Let me be the daughter, and He my Mighty Father.

This is how I want to enter the country of Japan:

-without confidence in myself, but with every confidence in Christ
-with an attitude of thankfulness for a place (and people) who are without worship in which I can worship (because the glory of God is worthy)
-with thankfulness for the opportunity to learn from different people who are uniquely made in God's image
-with an assured hope in God's promise to do great and mighty things
-with an expectation to see Him in the unexpected
-with a sense of humor about myself and my weaknesses, which allows me to be wrong and learn from others
-with love that is willing to endure when it is difficult or inconvenient (for my teammates and for others)
-with a flexible attitude that eagerly serves the staff and supports their existing ministry

That's kind of a long list...and there's more I would like to grow into...so I guess in all this, the most essential thing is that I have faith in God's promises, hope in His glory, and love for Him and His commandments...

I am a work in progress. I am not perfect...not even good...or satisfactory. BUT He loves me and provides. For that I love to worship Him.