India...

Probably one of the best things about being in India is the acute awareness it causes of my dependency upon the Lord. Something about being out of my normal routine, doing things i wouldn’t normal do helps me to see that i am fully dependent on God as my strength and sufficiency.

The first week we got here I found out I was to teach two times at the womens conference in Nepal. Now. The believers here are…believers. Many of them have had to sacrifice much to follow Christ. And I learn a huge deal from them about what it means to truly be a follower of Christ every time we gather together. So, needless to say (perhaps—or maybe we should say it more often…) I do not feel especially adequate to teach them. So Liz and I were talking about this because she was to speak as well.

Now usually I remind myself about how I am in Christ and I have authority in Him. Which is true. But this time as I thought about how I do not consider speaking one of my strengths—I really felt like the Lord said to me—that is a good place to be--to recognize my weakness. To recognize my dependency on God to accomplish anything whatsoever. it is good. Because the Lord has said—“My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).

And God has just impressed this truth on me over and over in this past month in India. He has reminded me so strongly of my weakness and how He desires to be strong in that. He has reminded me that there are many others who could have come here—that are much more qualified than Liz and I. But we are here. And He desires to use us here. In spite of our weaknesses—or possibly because our weaknesses.

the second week i was here i read Cry, the Beloved Country (highly recommended!). In the book there is a pastor who, when thanked for the good he has done responds, "...I am a weak and sinful man, but God put His hands on me, that is all". what amazing truth.

Life is beautiful. [God is gracious.]