The Roost

(To our camp family…I love to write as I spend time with God, and I originally wrote this and a few other journal entries to share with our counselors, and I have since been encouraged to share it with all of you. I hope these “thoughts of the day” posts bless you.)

Hello Ladies,

I can’t say that I am at a loss for words; I’m just not sure how to start this one. James is my favorite book of the Bible. I really love Jesus’ brother, as I can relate to him in many ways. When I’m thumbing through my Bible hunting for something to read, I usually go to James. I don’t pick out a part; I read the entire book (it’s very short) and don’t stop to read the sub-titles. I read it like it would have been recited back in “Bible days”. I learned this from Beth Moore.

Anyway, I am going on a mission trip this September 30 – October 8. Until this time I have not wanted to go but thought I needed to go. I have looked for excuses – tried to make up reasons why I shouldn’t go, and I still have some very valid reasons why I should not go. Have any of you ever felt this way? Not just about a mission trip but also about something God may want you to do?

This afternoon I was reading James, and I got to verse 22 in the first chapter, and it hit me. It hit me with tears in my eyes and forced me to my knees to ask for forgiveness for my attitude. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Of course this is underlined in my Bible and double underlined where James tells us to DO WHAT IT SAYS. God let me know right when I read this verse that this is why I am going on this trip – I am “doing what it says.” I can’t say that my fears or “valid reasons” aren’t going to creep up on me, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I am doing what God wants me to do. I know His way is best and I want His way, not mine.

How many of you need to do what the Word says? For me it is to go on this mission trip, and for you it’s probably something different. The Bible (Word) says a lot. What is God telling you in your quiet time? Where is He leading you?

In Him,
Sally

P.S. I covet your prayers from now until October 8. I will be in Albania with nine other ladies (one being our own nurse Abby) working with a group on human trafficking.