Volume 48: Rest in Asking

In Dave's prayer at banquet, he said something along the lines of, 

"Jesus, we asked for growth and you gave us long days of serving.
We asked for community and you surrounded us with all of these amazing people. 
We asked for patience and well, you gave us ... 7,000 campers!"

And this has stuck with me because as I really think about my prayers over the summer, I didn't spend much time asking Jesus for these kind of things... I was more so focused on my own experience and joy. 

I didn't ask for growth or moments of uncomfort or trials or patience, but I should have been. I am not quick to ask for things that are hard for me (as no one really is) but if I truly believe and trust God's promises, I think I should be more open to asking Him such things. And knowing that the only thing that actually matters is Jesus and He is never going anywhere. 

So I think to myself, how would my summer had been different if I'd actually been continually asking God to challenge me so that I could know Him more and rely on Him more? 

Because here's the thing... although I wasn't asking for it, God gave it to me. Many moments of feeling empty. Testing of relationships. Times of feeling unequipped. Enemy creeping in on insecurities. 

Now, in hindsight, I know that there was a lot of growth that occurred as a result. 

But if I had been praying for it - I could have seen these things as answered prayers, as a part of God's plan and purpose, rather than allowing them to crumple me and defeat me in the moment. 

So may I be more bold in praying for new! For growth! For opportunities to draw closer to Jesus!

Changes and unexpected turns will come at me for the rest of my life... I have no control over that.

But I CAN control my mentality and mindset when they do come. So may I learn to expect change rather than try and run from it.