I must confess that I did not know all the members of our team well, and we still have much we will learn about each other as we work together, travel together and 'live together' for over a week. So, while updating the "Introducing our Team" blog, it hit me with a "wow"! The wow is that each of us, by our very nature and character have a heart of caring for others. We enfold, we endear, we entreat, we connect, and we are willing to learn and listen. While many at our church have these qualities, it is as if the sweetness of God has fallen upon us in a special way. There is an expectation, and anticipation that fills the the very air we breathe with a graceful fragrance as we meet.
Having been on many long trips with teams, I know that if everything goes smoothly, we would call it a miracle! But also miracles can be found in the testing of our faith, the difficult times that develop along the way, and the way they get solved. There is a team of people in Croatia this week and it took them 46 hours to get there because of the weather and all the delays associated with it! It was what appeared as a disastrous chain of events, but it happened for a reason (though only they can tell you why). Which brings me to the second point of this blog.
While there are things to do and people to care for in Croatia, it has been the getting there and all the 'growing' along the way, and will be all the aspects along the way to, through and in the return that will contribute to the overall reason for why we each are to go. We will be tired when we get there, we will be exhausted when we leave. There will times of sweet, beautiful things and the ugliness of "reality", and yet, I believe that we will see and learn more of the grace of Christ, and His power unleashed through us in ways we could not experience any other way! I will leave not only building a connection with the people in Croatia, but with the team with whom I travel. Our experiences will be designed for them...and us.
It all seems surreal, heading off to a land I didn't know existed, and have learned a great deal about in the past year. It will come and go like a flash, and yet, the memories we build there will last for eternity as God takes our feeble gifts and uses them for His glory. There is a sweetness in going as a team. There is a sweetness in and among our team.
Psalm 34:8 says:
"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."
May Christ be our refuge and may all we do continue in His sweetness.
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Wow Bob!!! Reading your blog and catching up on your posts has revived me and given me fresh excitement! I have to confess that my nature is to plan, organize, replan, double-check, make lists, etc. Somewhere in the midst of that I forget to be excited, to just breathe, and to enjoy the moment. I sincerely appreciate your wonderful blog. I would love to print it when we are done (with your permission of course) and add it to my scrapbook. What an amazing blessing it is to be on a team with all of you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen. You have my permission, as this is all public domain. The nature of a team is be together for one another. In Foster's book, "The Celebration of Discipline" Chapter 12 speaks of "The Discipline of Guidance" addressing many things especially the accountability and wisdom of a corporate or team seeking of the will of God. Interesting that I should read this after I posted this blog about teamwork. Coincidence? I think not!
ReplyDeleteAs we work together, as a team, seek His guidance through scripture and the Holy Spirit, we will find the kind of refreshment you speak of and accomplish things in His power, with His leading. My heart is encouraged that your heart is encouraged. It will be amazing to step back and see what happens on the trip, but probably more amazing will be what we don't see happen on the trip (the long-term) results of our 'sacrifice' to the people and to our Lord.
We strive to honor and be a true reflection of Him who saved us. Talk to you soon!