I am headed to Cameroon Africa with Athletes in Action, to train and build relationships with coaches and athletes from their national team. I am beyond PUMPED, excited for a new opportunity in a place that I have never been.
This year, I was praying how I could use running in a way that glorifies the Lord, and makes his Kingdom more known. This opportunity came up through some mutual connections in the running community, and I jumped on board! Extremely humbled and blessed to be a part of a group of athletes that not only care about physical training, but something greater: An eternal purpose, the purpose of making the Gospel of Jesus Christ more known to these runners and coaches we will build into, in Cameroon Africa. Lets goooooo!
As I am headed out, there is something on my heart that I wanted to share before I headed out.
I feel like their are two categories that Christians put their summer plans into-
The first category:
They are going on a big adventure to make Christ's name more known: somewhere new and exciting, generally out of the country, or working at a summer camp: Trips that have a clear and obvious impact for the Kingdom.
The second category:
Working at home, doing summer school, or a summer job. Something that is generally career focused, or a means to earn money.
I am not saying these are EXACTLY what two categories your summer falls into, but it is a general idea.
Its easy for people like me, who are in the first category to say, "I have a clear purpose and set plan on how to make Christ more known, because I am doing _______"
But the people in the second category, its a little harder…. It's hard to look at a summer spent in the classroom or a job, or a home and say, "Man, I am going to make a huge impact this summer for Christ!"
I am here to tell you, whatever category you fall in, whatever you doing this summer, You CAN have an impact, you can be a light for Christ wherever you are!
John 15:5-8 says,
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in Him, he is that who bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you will bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."
I don't think its our job to go and try to use ourselves to do something incredible but rather, abide in Christ, because He will do something incredible!
What does it mean to abide in Christ?
-Obedience to Christ (John 15:10)
-Following Jesus' example (1 John 2:6)
-Living free from habitual sin (1 John 3:6)
Its incredible when awesome opportunities come to go on an adventure and share Christ with others. We are sometimes called to that. But my point is, instead of trying to do something with our own strength, we should rely on Christ, wherever we are, because he is the only one who can produce fruit, we cannot, for we are just the branches.
So for all you are in that second category of summers, here is my encouragement to you, when you think that your summer is not as exciting, or mission filled:
-Abide in Christ, and He will produce fruit, rather than us trying to do anything with our own strength!
I believe Christ can do anything, anywhere. He took fisherman, tax collectors, and men who were considered lowly in the eyes of men, and did incredible things.
He took a Shepard boy and defeated a giant with him, using only a stone.
These were the kind of guys who were not off on a huge adventure, or camp, but were just doing their jobs, and following Christ.
Whats holding you back? Lets live for the Kingdom today! Today is the day, no matter where you are!
