Stop looking at yourself...

Hey Guys!--Here is a quick guest post from me, Emily!

I’m a big fan of twitter for a couple reasons. Where else can you be updated whenever you want on whatever you want? Where else can 140 characters be so powerful, funny, honest or challenging? Where else can a short string of words inspire, change and motivate? A lot of people don’t like social media like facebook and twitter for obvious negative reasons, ‘self obsession’ probably at the top of the list. All I have to say is that social media is a tool just like anything else. It’s how you use it that counts. Just like a whistle can be annoying or life-saving…maybe more dramatically, so can social media.

All that said to say this: The other day I saw a tweet by a favorite author/preacher of mine. It quoted the last bit of 2 Chronicles 20:12. I wouldn’t have found this text if it wasn’t for his tweet. So I am thankful for him…and for twitter. This was the tweet:

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”

It was so simple; even shorter than the allotted 140 characters. But boy was it weighty.

I typically submit to the mantra, “Control the controllable” –but,

I am starting to think this is a bad move on my part. I can’t be sure where this axiom comes from (I don’t believe its source to be the bible), but for me in my life, it’s been kind of dangerous. It’s so…unfinished. “Control the controllable” THEN what?

What happens when discipline, hard work, and dedication don’t work? What happens when the formula fails? What happens when you do everything right and it all turns out wrong?

I think it’s that point in our lives where we finally turn to God and just cry out to him. “I don’t know what to do,” If you’re human and by default, imperfect…I know you have said those words at least once. It was refreshing (and comforting) to see that cry echoed in this scripture. There is a reason people say that book is timeless, ey?

Anyways, what was more comforting than the camaraderie I felt with the author of the subject of the sentence was the predicate he added, “BUT our eyes are upon you.”

Often times the most destructive thing you can do is to look at yourself. Stop looking there. Stop looking to fix yourself. Stop. Stop and look up.

Cast your eyes on the one who is really in control.

Working in humanitarian aid and international development is hard. Just ask Katie. There is always more to be done.  There will always be more kids who need shoes, clean water, food, education, freedom…

Each story is heart wrenching. Each smile is beautiful. Nothing seems fair. Why was I born here? Why do I have plenty while they starve? I don’t know what to do…

I can’t control that, but I can look to the one who does. He alone can provide comfort to them, to us. May our eyes always be on Him.

Emily

P.S. Check your twitter for 140 character updates from Honduras. Katie, the team and I leave Thursday. Maybe our posts will stir up your heart and impact your life. I hope so.