HEY EVERYBODY! Ok, SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED!
I am currently sitting in Gainesville, GA at training camp with 36 other amazing, beautiful humans. This past week has involved not showering for 4 days straight, porta-pottys, and waking up at 6:30 after sleeping on the floor next to almost 40 other people. These things might sound gross and you might be thinking, “Lilly, why in the world would you CHOOSE to do this?” I wasn’t really sure either the first couple days. But then we had a speaker, Deon, who spoke on the ‘Cost of Discipleship” and really put things into perspective. Mark 8:34-36 says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” It got me thinking… a lot. What am I living for? I am living for Jesus and bringing glory to Him, and that’s something worth dying for. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to the point of having to actually give my life for the sake of Jesus Christ, but I hope I am filled with the confidence and bravery of Christ.
But for right now, dying to myself looks a lot like sacrificing a hot shower for showering in a shipping container with a limit of 10 minutes. It also looks like sleeping on the cold floor in a single room with 40 other people and waking up at the crack of dawn. It looks like putting other children of God before myself and my needs. And I’m so happy to do it. If “taking up my cross” is me simply giving up some comforts that I’m used to, I will do it again and again and again. Jesus Christ GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ME—I can give up being comfortable for 6 months. It seems so small in comparison to all Jesus sacrificed for me, but the beautiful thing is Jesus doesn’t care. He sees the little things, and He is proud.
But His love for us doesn’t change, He will always love us with the same reckless, wild, unconditional love even if I hadn’t chosen to do this. We don’t have to work for His love. Romans 8:37-39, “No, in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Oh, how sweet it is to be loved by Him and to believe in something worth dying for. I never thought I’d be so thankful for a porta-potty.
“If “taking up my cross” is me simply giving up some comforts that I’m used to, I will do it again and again and again” YES!!!!! girl, I just love your spirit and the joy you have for this life, it is contagious and I love rejoicing in the Lord’s faithfulness together. Crying in a porta-potty and then having Jesus meet you there is a funny thing to say but I love walking in it together. Here’s to walking in this hard but oh so rewarding life together! Love you my sweet friend, you are all things joyous & I love it
Lilly, isn’t it amazing where God meets us? Is crazy how God will break you and it’s beautiful!!! Keep pursuing, keep laying on your face before the king. Keep surrendering and giving your all!! Proud of you!
We feel your words as you write. We are praying that God gives you peace, strength and you feel his Love for you as you are following. Him. As you have graciously said His work may not be easy but be assured You will recieve many Crowns. Love Mary and ken
Lilly, this is beautiful!!! In a world where most strive their whole life for the finer things/comforts, it’s awesome to get to walk along side you and see how God will use you and your sacrifices to further his kingdom!!! It was great being with you and your squad during camp and we can’t wait to see you next month and hear first hand how God continies to work in and through you!!!
Dear Lilly, I am so very proud of you. I know, I know, it’s all about Jesus but for you to know at such a young age who is master of your life and who.is worth the sacrifice is awesome. Many of my contemporaries still don’t know. Our prayers and love continue. Love, Cousin Brenda