Hello again. Just wanted to share something cool I found yesterday. So I was reading through 2 Corinthians (I've been trying to focus on one or two books to study in-depth throughout my time in Ukraine: 2 Corinthians and Colossians) and I saw something cool I've never seen before and thought you might like it too. Or not. In that case, you should probably read it again and again and again until you like it.
So 2 Cor. 2: 12-13 says this:
(12) Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, (13) I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-bye to them and went on to Macedonia.
Paul had an open door to go preach the Gospel in Troas, but decided not to. The text even says that the Lord was the one who opened the door- but Paul says he felt no peace of mind, so he didn't go.
I think it's kind of interesting that even if a door is opened for you to do something, it doesn't mean that you should go through and do it. God gave Paul a good opportunity to do ministry, but Paul held out for what was better: the peace that the Lord gives when you're exactly where He wants you to be. There are plenty of 'good' things to do, and tons of even 'great' opportunities to do ministry. But don't just blindly go through whatever door is open- don't settle for the 'good' when you could have God's best.
I don't think we should take or ditch opportunities based upon feelings, but in the same way, I don't think we should take every single opportunity put in front of us. The Lord helps us to discern what is best, i.e. what He wants us to do, and gives us peace to confirm it. This doesn't mean that the task will be easy, but that the Lord will give us peace and rest in Him to complete it.
So all that to say- I'm currently praying about what's next once I get back to the States. I really want to stay in S.C. and continue to hang out with Young Life kids at Fort Jackson, but I need a job and a place to live. Once I get back home to P.A. (on August 1), I will start looking for a job and a place to live. However, a really great opportunity showed up that I am not qualified for (in my own strength) but might just be a door opening up for the fall. I'm praying that the Lord would show me if this is His best, or if not, then something else is. Pray with me that I might not settle for the open door, or for whatever looks easiest, but that I would wait on the Lord for His best for me in these days ahead.
So 2 Cor. 2: 12-13 says this:
(12) Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, (13) I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-bye to them and went on to Macedonia.
Paul had an open door to go preach the Gospel in Troas, but decided not to. The text even says that the Lord was the one who opened the door- but Paul says he felt no peace of mind, so he didn't go.
I think it's kind of interesting that even if a door is opened for you to do something, it doesn't mean that you should go through and do it. God gave Paul a good opportunity to do ministry, but Paul held out for what was better: the peace that the Lord gives when you're exactly where He wants you to be. There are plenty of 'good' things to do, and tons of even 'great' opportunities to do ministry. But don't just blindly go through whatever door is open- don't settle for the 'good' when you could have God's best.
I don't think we should take or ditch opportunities based upon feelings, but in the same way, I don't think we should take every single opportunity put in front of us. The Lord helps us to discern what is best, i.e. what He wants us to do, and gives us peace to confirm it. This doesn't mean that the task will be easy, but that the Lord will give us peace and rest in Him to complete it.
So all that to say- I'm currently praying about what's next once I get back to the States. I really want to stay in S.C. and continue to hang out with Young Life kids at Fort Jackson, but I need a job and a place to live. Once I get back home to P.A. (on August 1), I will start looking for a job and a place to live. However, a really great opportunity showed up that I am not qualified for (in my own strength) but might just be a door opening up for the fall. I'm praying that the Lord would show me if this is His best, or if not, then something else is. Pray with me that I might not settle for the open door, or for whatever looks easiest, but that I would wait on the Lord for His best for me in these days ahead.