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| A recent visit to see an IJM client. Though the client isn't in this picture, these are children from her village. |
Continuing on with the three life lessons Lane has learned while living here in Rwanda. Here is the second lesson that he shared at his Wednesday morning guy's group.
Lesson #2 - Comparison is death; be content to be yourself.
Working with
IJM and moving in the expatriate community here, I am constantly around very
impressive people. People with great intelligence, impressive abilities,
winsome personalities, and notable success in their careers. I often find
myself comparing myself with them, almost involuntarily. Such comparisons are a
losing game all around, as they inevitably result in either (a) pride, when the
one comparing decides that he is better than the one he’s comparing himself to;
or (b) envy or self-pity, when the one comparing finds himself lacking as a
result of the comparison. Pride and envy/self-pity are relationship killers and
can’t help but divert our focus from God and others to ourselves. And, when our
focus is constantly on ourselves, we devolve into isolation and extreme selfishness.
There is another way. God has made each of us with a Divine Design, on purpose
and for a purpose. We are most alive and effective when we know how we are made
(know ourselves), are content with this, and live our lives out of this. When
we try to be like someone else, we go against our nature and we rob others of
who God designed us to be. Be content to be yourself. And know that there are
people right now who are looking up to you, even as you look up to others.
Guide them honestly by being yourself.
Recent Praises, Thank You Lord!
- IJM has helped secure 7 convictions of abusers of children this year so far. The goal is 10 for the year!
- Next week, on Wednesday June 13, there will be graduation of several clients who have completed the 4-6 month counseling program to help them heal from the trauma they have experienced.
- God has provided a car for our family while in the States for 7 weeks this summer.
- God has provided a home for us to stay in while in Austin for 5 days.
Please Pray for:
- Two trials to defend children who have been abused, one today and one tomorrow. Please pray for the case to be heard as scheduled and that God would work through the IJM lawyers working on the cases.
- Pray for a judgment hearing that will be held on Friday to determine the verdict in another case of child sexual assault.
- Pray for Lane as he wraps up lots of details in the office before leaving on furlough for one month.
- A good renter for our home in Austin, Texas. Let me know if you know anyone interested in a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom house in south Austin.
thanks,
Lane and Anna
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