More.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” -2 Corinthians 12:9


The mission field is more than you expect. More everything. No matter how many classes you take, books you read or people you talk to, things will be more in a sometimes overwhelming way. There are more people around. More German words that I don’t understand. More awkward social moments, more to keep clean in my apartment, more cheese to choose from in the grocery store—just more foreign things than familiar. No matter how much I assure myself it’s all under control, there’s always a little more than I can handle and I find myself feeling defeat. Not admitting it, no way! But something’s lurking under the surface, some sensitive, frustrated inkling that seems to spring up at the littlest thing. Where is God in all of this?


But somehow under the canopy of doubt I notice a smile from someone on the tram. A smile! Germans aren’t known for their friendliness. And then by the grace of God I notice more sun and blue sky today, drink more delicious tea, find more opportunities to sing out loud, marvel at more beautiful architecture, and see how a recent friend encourages me more than I ever thought. Aren’t I the one who is supposed to do the encouraging?


And quietly and gently, never barging His way in, God speaks, not to my ears but straight to my heart. Regardless of how I feel, it is when I am weak that I am strong. More everything is on the way and I am powerless until I seek more of Him in me.


“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” -2 Corinthians 9:15