Always a Student

Going on the Mission Trip to New Mexico/Texas/Mexico taught me a lot of things. One of the things I learned is that I will always be learning. Sanctification is a necessary part of the Christian life and Christ will continue to change us until we reach glory. I wrote down ten things to share with my church during the Sunday School hour this past Sunday, and I thought I would post them here for others to see. Note that I have not learned how to live out these truths in my life; I have only discovered their existence. Only by God's grace will I be able to apply them to my Christian walk. So, without further ado, here are the top ten things I learned over the past week or so.

1. I have learned that true missions consists of "ordinary" people being faithful to spread Christ's work in the "ordinary" spaces of their day-to-day lives.
2. I have learned what it means to bow as a little child before my heavenly Father, and to lovingly and fully place my trust in Him.
3. I have learned that you need no more than two minutes to share the Gospel with someone.
4. I have learned what it means to be alive because of Christ's work and the Holy Spirit living inside of me.
5. I have learned that spreading the Gospel is not a decisive premeditated act, but rather an uncontrollable outpouring of Christ's love which loved us first.
6. I have learned that we are not and not meant to be alone in the great race for missions, for Christ is with us always and His body of believers is spread across the world.
7. I have learned that the bond of being in the family of God is stronger than any other earthly bond.
8. I have learned what it feels like to be nourished by the Word of God, but to also feel an increasing hunger for its truth.
9. I have learned what it means to "let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
10. I have learned that God is greater than I thought, more powerful than I believed, and more loving than I hoped.

These truths I have either been exposed to for the first time, rediscovered, or seen in a different light. May God give you and I the grace and vigor to possess and live out these truths in our lives. All praise to the Great Teacher!