Kept By the Spirit

In July we were not quite sure what kind of team we would be walking back into this term. After some serious team upheaval, and our own personal burnout, we were cautiously hopeful that the team had recovered as much as we had during our time in the states. But regardless of the state of our team, Jesus had some good words for us as we thought about rejoining them.

• This is His team. We get to partner with them and Him for His purposes. He cares for them more than we ever will. 
• This team isn't any different than any other team- we have had struggles and will continue to face challenges because we are human. We will never find the perfect team. There is power in staying.
• There is power for staying! This team has access to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead- nothing is impossible for Him.
• Team is His idea. The Trinity communes together and works together and loves together in perfect harmony. We have God as our model and as our strength to do team life in way that brings Him glory. 

During this first month back on the field we are grateful for the ways Jesus has met our team in these hard days.

Team life is seldom easy- but He promises to keep us.

It could have been a very different re-entry for us, but the Spirit has heard our prayers and kept our team. He has kept us meeting together for prayer. He has kept us well enough to continue ministering where He has placed us. He has kept us together in spirit- even when we are separated by continents.

For our team book study we are diving into Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. Maybe your team wants to too?

I'm linking up at the Grove today at Velvet Ashes.

Spur One Another On

^"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." -Hebrews 10:24-25

Comparing. Competition. Discontent. Pride. Jealousy. These are a few of the dangers of life in community. As a team we have been wrestling with these issues and God is beginning to bring light and freedom and health. We are so grateful. We have a long road ahead, as teammates come and go. But we are doing the work- and the Spirit is honored. 

Whether you are a missionary on a team, a member of a church, a supporter of a missionary, a part of a family, or just person who has friends- the threats of comparison and competition are real. So what can we do about it? A few steps we are taking as a team:

• Share someone else's successes or victories- at prayer meeting let someone else tell about your most recent God-story. You will be encouraged and there is no temptation to brag. God gets all the glory.
• Encourage one another. 
• Serve together. Even if you are involved in very different ministries- take time to invite someone else to join you on a project. They get to see the nitty-gritty details, failures and successes, and you get support!
• Celebrate together.
• Focus on who God is- everything else will be put in proper perspective.

How do you fight the temptation to compete?