Wholly Surrendered

Before you read, click the play button on my playlist under my picture... :)

At the cross you beckon me
Draw me gently to my knees
And I’m lost for words
So lost in love
I’m sweetly broken,
Wholly surrendered.

There is something about those lyrics. Every time I hear them, and sing them, in my heart I can feel the Spirit awake. I feel like more than ever, I am sweetly broken, wholly surrendered before my Lord, at the foot of the cross.

This week has been hard for me for a lot of reasons. Everything that we had planned as a team for this semester is not going to happen. Everything has changed in one day. Our senior pastor of the church here in Hong Kong announced his resignation on Sunday. His family and His presence will be greatly missed, but the Lord has called them to move back to the States. Due to the change, Nathan, my supervisor and former youth pastor, now is taking on the role of head teaching and preaching until the church body and deacons decide otherwise.

I’ll be honest when I say working in a church has been the hardest and most demanding job I have ever had. Last semester was hard, and we were still adjusting, but this semester comes with whole new challenges as a team of staff, and individually. I know that I am more than capable, because of Christ in me, yet I cannot help but feel restless and discouraged. Everything will be different and mine and Ben’s roles have taken a big turn.

I have to continue to fight the spirit of anger and disappointment and continue to remember the Lord’s faithfulness. I was so excited about having a set schedule for our semester and was excited about me, Ben, and Nathan as a team being able to work together and put more time and energy into our students. I am reminded to not have a spirit of fear that the students will not get the attention they need, and remind myself to claim the power and sound mind that the Lord has given me through Him. The Lord constantly puts me in situations that require brokenness and surrender to Him, yet I am thankful for these situations, because in them and through them, only God can receive the glory. I have to remember that God specifically has me here at this time for a purpose, and His ministry with those students is going to happen if He wants it to. I have to remember to be obedient and surrender it all to Him.

So Now things are different, I have no idea what the semester holds, and no idea how things are going to turn out, but I am surrendering every aspect of my job, ministry, and next six months to Christ. I know that He will work everything out for those who love Him. I will continue to seek Him with all my heart, and trust in His in is unfailing power.

Remember that God is in control of every circumstance. Nothing is a shock to Him. He is with you always, and will get glory through every situation you encounter if you surrender and allow Him to work through you.

Please be praying for Ben and I as we lead the youth group this semester, and more importantly for Nathan as he takes on the roles and burden of leading the church.

Thank you for your continual support and prayers, it means a lot!

P.S. Check out the web site I designed entirely for our Youth group!!
http://www.shillage.com