Keeping the 'Main Thing'

While working in Sudan, my supervisor consistently reminded the team, "Keep the Main Thing, the main thing!" Meaning, keep Jesus the main focus of what you're doing.

Today I am reminded how easy it is to become distracted in the daily 'ins and outs' of life,  even in ministry. Becoming so focused on getting a promotion at work, making more money, feeding the hungry, hosting life-impacting events, doing street ministry, and even fundraising...can easily distract us from what is truly important. Fact is, when we leave Jesus out of the equation we are only applying a band-aid to the situation or life. It might be good, it might help the people around you, but only momentarily. Jesus is the only one who will change a life, an eternity, forever.

While in Sudan, I was a teacher. I LOVED what I did, I LOVED every child that I taught, and I gave all the LOVE I could wring out of me to impact the lives of kids I knew were hurting. I tried many ways to love them and make them feel the value I knew they had....I used to cry myself to sleep at night because my heart hurt for the children who were in abusive homes, neglected, and told they had little value because of their gender or disability. I was at my wits end on what to do to help these children and one night while crying out to God, He gently spoke to my heart: "Holly, they don't need a mother figure....they need me." I had become so focused on loving them and telling them how much value they had (which is not bad), but neglected to fully share with them the only One who could bring healing to their hurt and wholeness to their brokenness. The realization that I was doing good, but missing the 'mark' stung at my heart, but it's truth sank deep and branded the way I think. Friends, do not think that I am telling you we should not do great things, strive for the best, or help the hurting....but remember to keep the Main Thing, the main thing. Remember to keep Jesus the main focus of all we are doing.

....because He is the only one who can do everything about anything.

Smudged Fingerprints

"You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving." - Amy Carmichael

At the end of my life, I want to know that I used all my God-given passions, gifts, and abilities to make a positive impact on the world around me. Right now, that opportunity is living and working in Tanzania.

The past few years of my life have prepared me for this opportunity: job experiences, desires of my heart, research, creative ideas, and more! So many things pointed to this opportunity offered me, that I could not refuse. I've always prayed, "God, direct the details of my life and leave your fingerprints smudged all over them that I could not deny it was you!" This is one of those 'fingerprint smudged' moments!

Continuing working with the youth group will be a priority, as well as ministry with children and young adults, but the main project I'll be helping with is the start of a brand new ministry coffee cafe! God definitely smiled on me when He combined two of my favorite things: coffee and missions! The cafe will be placed in the center of a busy, growing city of over 3 million people! Dar is home to over 10 universities and colleges and is an entrepreneur hotspot! The Lord miraculously provided the building space we will be using and in a brand new business complex that would have been way too expensive for us to rent! (again...'fingerprint smudges').

My heart is blessed and humbled that God would give me such a wonderful opportunity....even more that His hand is on the details of my life!

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
    when he delights in his way.." Psalm 37:23