I can do all things through whom?

Sitting in the home of Abarash-Hale, I simply talk with her through the aid of my translator Agretu. She has lived in Sendafa for 13 years, she moved here from the southern part of Ethiopia in the attempts to better her life. She is the mother of 5 sons and 1 daughter, three of which have progressed through school quite a bit and have learned a good deal of English. The home we are sitting in is clearly one of the wealthier homes here as it has furniture and several small electronics. By our standards however, the dirt floor, mud walls, and tin roof and door would of course be considered intense poverty.

I talk with her children, who while a little shy allow me to learn more about them and their lives. The older son leads the youth group at church and has been studying hard in school. His brother and sister are both in the choir at church and all three have made it to at least 10th grade, the daughter has actually reached 12th grade which is quite the accomplishment in this town. Our time with them is relaxed and enjoyable. We ask them how we can pray for them and they tell us several things. They want success in their education in combination with a life transformation so that they can be a blessing to Sendafa, to Ethiopia and to the world.

I begin to think about that statement. They want to be a blessing to the world. Not just their country or even continent, but the entire world. They want God to give them the strength to do so. they are relying on him to achieve this through them, not their own abilities or circumstances. I'm surprised by my reaction because it is one of an almost patronizing skepticism. I know in my heart that they can't rise out of their poverty and affect the world.

Now I have always had similar aspirations. I know that I can affect the world. That I can somehow reach others and make a difference. The reason why however is because I know what I'm capable of. I know the abilities that I have, the opportunities that I've been given and the advantages that are inherent in my life. Throughout my life, I've always known my limitations. I've been able to accurately predict whether or not I will succeed at something. The problem in all of this is that I'm relying on myself. I'm relying on my own circumstances and abilities to change the world. In doing this I am limiting God in his ability to work through me. If I rely on my own strength then I will never be able to do the things that God can do through me if I merely step out of my comfort zone.

I'm reminded of my last trip here when I came away feeling as though I were the "least of these" in a spiritual sense. That my knowledge and understanding of God was childish in comparison to those who know God here. Abarash's family may not have the opportunities that I have or the abilities that I have been blessed with, but they have already succeeded in their goal of being a blessing to the world. Now I know that with their hearts relying on God for their strength, they will continue to be a blessing to the world. It is my turn to now follow their example and not allow my own abilities to limit God's work in my life.