Undeserving

"Great job this morning!"

I cannot even tell you how many times I heard people say this to me this morning.  My response: Thanks!

I will tell you what happened...

I was blessed to have the opportunity to speak in chapel this morning with a few of my friends.  We shared about our mission trip last summer to Lima, Peru as a part of my school's anual mission month.  We were able to speak to the whole secondary (7th-12th grade)---I go to a small Christian private school.

The part I shared about my experience on the trip was actually before I even got to Lima. 

I was able to purchase a standby plane ticket.  It was cheaper than a normal ticket, but I would not know beforehand when I would land in Peru.  I had to make three flights to get to Peru.  I made it to my last flight which was out of Miami.  There was no room for me on the first flight...or the second...or the third...

I was in the Miami airport for three nights. 

To say I had a lot of free time would be an understatement.  There was plenty of time sitting around waiting to see if I would make the next flight. 

I spent a lot of time talking with God.  I cried out to Him for answers.  I knew He would teach me something, but I had no idea what it could be.  To be completely honest, I didn't want to learn whatever lesson He was teaching me in the Miami airport.  Couldn't He wait until I got to Peru?

I wanted God to wait, but that was the very thing He was trying to teach me.  God was teaching me not to be anxious, which is something I struggle with daily.  I like my own plans because I can make them in advance and foresee what is going to happen.  God's plans are not as predictable.  I learned more about patience in that airport than ever before.

I will always remember the Miami airport as a place or spiritual growth.  I haven't fully grasped what it means to trust in God's timing, but I sure have grown in that area.  It is something I don't think I will ever conquer.  I know for certain that I am not able to do it alone.  With God's help, I pray that I will be able to trust His timing more and more.

My whole Peru trip was wonderful.  I was extremely encouraged by the Christians I met while I was there.  My team and I were able to put on puppet shows at state and private orphanages and schools.  The shows told the story of redemption.

Back to this morning...

So, here I was with the opportunity to share how God used me in Peru.  I was excited to be able to share my story about the Miami airport, but I was a little nervous as well.  I knew what I wanted to say in a general sense.  I really just prayed that God would speak through me.

I gave my story so easily that there is no other way to explain it than God speaking through me.  I made myself available, so He used me.  Five minutes after I finished, I couldn't even remember what all I had said.  It was all God speaking through me.

I was congratulated by people walking through the halls all day.  I said "thanks" as if I was taking credit for what I had shared.

If everything I said depended on God speaking through me and not my own efforts, how could I take any of the credit?

I am completely undeserving of the human praise I received. 

All glory be to God.