Preparation

In preparation for this trip we were given a book called Before You Pack Your Bag Prepare Your Heart. I've been going through it and came across something that I thought was interesting and thought that I'd share with you. There are a few passages from Philippians that I really love. The first one is Phil. 1:6 and it says "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect until the day of Jesus Christ." (NASB) Just the idea that God has begun working in me and I'm learning how to love more fully and more actively and that He's going to continue to work and to perfect that part of me. Can you imagine how I will be different a week from now? a year? 10 years? I'm excited to see how God is going to soften my heart and give me more compassion for others.

The second passage is Phil. 2:2-5 which says "make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves, do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus." (NASB) This is a good reminder for the group I'm going with to be united and selfless and to hold each other accountable to that.

The last verse is Phil. 2:13: "For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (NASB) This is another good reminder that I'm going on this trip not for myself, but for God's pleasure and plan.