I’m still reading through our stack of encouraging cards from the people of Mariners - and the most outstanding thing God has been speaking to me from them all comes through this verse which was printed in different ways on several different cards . . . . .

” The service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:12

A few weeks ago my friend Yvette sent me an email message that said, ” I want you to know I think you are important. I think what you are doing is important. I think it is a gesture so great and big that whether anyone ever comes to the Lord or not, HE will know you LOVE Him.” And I had to stop and do a double take and say, Oh yea! This is all about HIM! It’s enough for me just to pour out my heart and life before him, even if I have trouble seeing the fruit I long for.

I know that He knows I am here because I love Him and that I stay because I trust Him, and that I work because I believe He has the power to do more than I ask or imagine. Even though Satan has had success in distracting me from God’s work by giving me self-doubts, fears about my competency, fears about my effectiveness . . . . I have never doubted that I am here as praise-offering for my Savior. And perhaps that is quite enough. If my life is overflowing in many expressions of praise to God than I can be content with whatever needs I am able to supply and accept that I will not and can not do all that I wish.

Becoming overwhelmed by the need is a trick. I can focus in on how many, many lives at CSB need total transformation by the Holy Spirit, and I can feel like a failure. Or I can focus in on the seven girls I passed on the way to the office this morning who gave me that special secret smile that says, ” I know you’ve got my side”. I can focus in on how little evangelism I am doing these days or I can remember that over this year sixty orphans have heard the gospel in startling ways and many have responded with amazement and surprise. And through it all I can remember that my life here is a sweet fragrance to Him and that He delights in what I am doing and will supply all my lacks.

Pastor Bill, my American pastor, wrote: “The secret to true life is inhale and exhale the power and love of God. The more deeply we inhale His love the more powerfully we breath it out on all we serve.” Today I am inhaling, deep belly breaths, remembering how pure, how great, how unshakable His love is. And the beauty of this is that not only do I get filled up with His love but I spill that love out to the people around me.