You want me to…burn it?
Hola friends! We made it!
It has been a tumultuous week to say the least. Between wisdom teeth removal, nerves, and anticipation, there was a lot to think about as I prepared to head out, but God has truly been faithful in every little aspect of this trip.
On Saturday night, we met together for orientation and a time of prayer and worship to seek the Lord. There are 14 students in total and for most of us, it was our first time meeting each other. The room quickly shifted from lots of introductions to a room full of praise focused on Jesus. Through sweet worship, prayer, and words of encouragement from friends and family around us, it was such a beautiful way to start our time together. The next morning, we met at Calvary Chapel Saving Grace where the congregation prayed and sent us out, and then we were off!
Last night before we went to sleep, we were asked to write out the vision we had for our lives on a blank piece of paper. So I wrote down my hopes, plans, dreams, and expectations. Crackling and spitting sparks, a fire was burning in the pit outside our circle in the dining area, and we were told to get up and throw our papers into the fire when we were ready. This was a physical act of allowing God to take our plans and give us His instead. To begin this time with no agenda, a blank page ourselves open to whatever God wants to do. As I held my paper in my hands and listened to the sound of worship in the room, the reality of surrender sat heavy on my mind. Many of my friends have gone through this program before, so I was expecting this moment of burning this paper with my hopes and dreams on it. Honestly, I thought I was ready and walking into these six weeks with a surrendered heart already. But it’s only taken a day and a half for God to show me just how much I still need to give up. It’s easy for my heart to be unsettled at the thought of surrendering control in every way, but God has been facing me with the same truth over and over again— “If you want My will, it will cost you everything.” But on the other side of this breaking is “exceedingly and abundantly” as Ephesians 3:20 says. It’s a breaking down of self in exchange for the glory of God. I hope that first act of burning my plans carries over into the rest of CSOM with continued submission and trust in Him.
I am very excited and humbled by what we have already been learning and by the unity of our group. Every person on this trip has set apart this time to seek the Lord and His call for their lives, and as Hebrews 11:6 tells us, the Lord is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him! This theme of surrender will continue and I trust that God wants to transform us and use this time to minister to our group and to the community around us.
As I think about the faithfulness of God, I think about how none of this would be possible without the people He has used to get me here. So I want to thank you for obeying the nudging of the Lord to partner with me. Your gifts and prayers have been a huge blessing and I am excited to share what God will do through your support. Here are some ways you can be praying!
Pray for continued healing for myself as my wisdom tooth extraction is still healing and I have some other dental concerns to be mindful of while I’m here.
Pray for health, protection, and unity as a group.
Pray against spiritual warfare and any schemes of the Enemy to disrupt what God wants to do.
Pray that I would be able to raise all the support I need for this program.
Pray for the Lord to continue to move and speak, and for surrendered hearts throughout our six weeks seeking Him!
I will have plenty to share each week and I look forward to what the Lord has in store!
Love you all,
Jadyn
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