Control

    Why do we always have to be in control?  In all of our lives there are things that we just seem to cling to, and are unable to surrender them to the Lord.  Some of these things are money, comfort, friends, home, tv, food, etc.  We have all decided that we need these things.  But who told us that we needed them?  Does it say in the bible to cling to the things of this world?  In fact the bible tell us the exact opposite, one example is in Luke 12:33, it says: “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.”  Somewhere along the way we have decided that no longer applied to our lives now.  Not only do we try to control the physical things of this world, we try to control our lives.  We plan our futures, not God.  We decide who we are friends with and how we act with them, not God.  We decide what is best for us, not God.  How have we become a culture that needs control?  Most of us want to make sure our lives have a few bumps as possible, so we limit God.  In Crazy Love, Francis Chan writes, ” Christians today like to play it safe.  We want to put ourselves in situations where we are safe “even if there is no God.”  But if we truly desire to please God, we cannot live that way.  We have to do things that cost us during our life on earth but will be more worth it in eternity.”  These are the thoughts that are penetrating my thoughts as the base in Port Elizabeth, South Africa is underway.
    It really has been quite and adventure and a blessing being the first AIM team in PE.  God has really revealed to me that it is all out of my hands and I have to let him control everything here.  I am one to make sure that all is done to perfection.  Upon arriving in PE it was apparent that only God could make this semester perfect and not me.  I have seen his glory and power in only a few short weeks here.  Doors were opened for ministry locations with very little search.  People really greeted us with open arms and provided all that we needed all because God is on our side. 
    When we arrived at the PE house almost four weeks ago all we brought with us were beds and one fridge for fifteen people.  One afternoon we sent the students out to meet our neighbors through a game called bigger and better.  Each team had a paper clip, their objective was to meet the neighbors and trade the paper clip for something bigger or better.  Our expectation was that the neighbors and students would have a good laugh from the things that they were trading.  Little to our surprise God had more in store.  At the end of the day the students came home with things for the house that we did not have.  People began to ask what were some things that we needed in the house.  From the neighbors to generous people at Lighthouse Family Church we now have couches, tables, a fridge, a microwave, a hot pot, a toaster, curtains and of course the skate board.  I was blown away by the way that God provided just when we needed. 
    As the students have begun to split into their ministries I can see that God orchestrated this team in his perfect image, and I can’t stop feeling the joy from this blessing.  God is in control.

My new address is:
Chelsea Short
19 Trichardt
Parsons Hill
Port Elizabeth
South Africa
6001