(July 5, 2016).
A few days leading up to Shout, I was feeling a little tired (both physically and mentally). As I unpacked from Camp Fearless, I had to replenish my bag and prepare for Shout happening a few days later. This would be my 6th summer house training but this time, as a mission volunteer. I had never served at a shout before so I was trying to prepare myself for whatever the Lord wanted me to do. As the days continued, I was slowly realizing that the Lord was calling me to rest. He knows my heart better than I know it. He just wanted me to be there and experience Him. Amongst the many messages He had for me, the greatest one is this: I am called time and time again to love, and that was exactly what happened at this shout.
Philippians 4:4-7—“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Rejoice
Saint Paul reminds us that we should be joyful because we are sons and daughters of Christ. Happiness fades away and tiring times often brings sorrow in our hearts but when we are joyful, even when we fall, we are able to get back up and move forward towards Him. Joy should begin within our hearts and radiate through our faces, our bodies and our whole being.
Pray
Prayer is God’s gift to us and it was definitely a time of prayer during my week at shout. We were given many opportunities to pray and we did so in many ways as well. It was indeed a time for me to reconnect with God and it has helped me to listen to Him more intently. It is easier for me to pray for my desires and to ask the Lord for things. Prayer is a dialogue with God and the listening part was always my biggest struggle. I would get distracted, I would get tired and I would get impatient. But if I want to hear the Lord’s message, I first need to stop and wait. I don’t want to miss any opportunities, I have learned to embrace the silence and to be patient and trust that the Lord will answer me.
Give thanks
There are so many reasons to give thanks to the Lord! From the simplest things like being able to take a breath and blink, thankful for the fresh air, the sound of the birds, the work I am given, my family and friends, the community. I came to realize that I am ever so thankful for being tired. For I know that it is the Lord who is truly using me.
My heart was expectant and was ready to serve and help my brothers and sisters in the Montreal core to experience Shout the way I was used to experiencing it. However, the Lord stirred my heart and allowed me to experience Him through my brothers and sisters. Sometimes I get lost in the call and just go through the motions of events and activities, but this shout has taught me to slow down and savour every moment with Him. My brothers and sisters in the area core are so inspiring and have so much love for the Lord. Each and everyone of them are called for mission, whether in their homes, their friends, their chapters or programs, and out there wherever the Lord calls. They have inspired me to remember why I am called to mission, and my mission is simply to love.
Heavenly Father, I praise and thank you for the gift of this community and for calling us by name. May you always remind us to seek you in our mission and may you always use us to bring Glory to Your Name. I lift up to you my brothers and sisters in this household, that you may send them your Holy Spirit and as they journey alongside each other as Your messengers. Amen.
Messengers of the Lord (M.T.L.)
AMDG
