Through Him

"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him." 1 John 4:9

I leave for Trinidad tomorrow! I'm going on a medical mission trip with Mission To the World with local nursing and medical students and providers.

I really struggle with wanting to see some big results... all good things: people come to know the Lord, providers and students learning what it looks to provide medical care in a way that people see Christ, people being knit together and learning to walk alongside one another as we seek Jesus. This can be problematic, idol-ish rather, when I place all these expectations for performance on myself. I become overwhelmed, paralyzed, and grumpy.

In spite of all my selfishness, the lord loves me. I am so inadequate, and this is so great, because it really leaves no room for myself to shine... only Christ. And I love that the Lord can use all this for my good and His glory!

As I studied this verse today, I love the phrase through Christ. God has manifest his love among us that we might live through Christ. Not through my ideas or my experience or training or performance or results. Life is so much more freeing when I see that my goal is to know Christ and live through His strength while embracing that I have none of my own. The pressure is off!!