Grace in the Everyday

As I sit here and reflect on the past two months, there are a few thoughts I'd like to share with you - while moving to Thailand has been one of the best things, it has also been one of the most difficult things I've ever done. Noble intentions and all, I've had weak, doubt-filled moments where I felt like God maybe called the wrong person for the job. Like maybe some bold, young man gifted with evangelism was supposed to come do the work but he was too busy to listen to the call. I've also realised that I had some misconceptions about what this blank-cheque, step-of-faith adventure would look like.

Working out my salvation on foreign soil.

In the trenches every day.

Wild-eyed, boldly proclaiming.

Pulling souls from the fire.


These are some of the phrases that I thought would describe life. But to be honest, most days it feels less like a wild adventure and more like I'm taking unsure baby steps, living in the mundane mess of everyday life. 

Smiling and simply loving the kids shouting "Teacher! Teacher!" at me dozens of times a day. 

Quiet, early morning moments spent in the Word.

Having broken conversations with the family who owns the restaurant across the street where I often eat dinner.

Praying, because in this dark place that seems so beyond God, I do not know where else to start.

I read a quote a few weeks ago that has been echoing in my soul ever since: 

While I know I am supposed to be here, the command to work out my salvation on foreign soil feels much bigger than anything I am capable of. And that's the point. The strength to follow the command could never come from me (as this song so aptly puts it). He is the One who will grant what He commands. So that He gets the glory. My only boast is Christ.

So I will say "Yes" to whatever He has in store for me. Taking small steps, living faithfully in the routine this new life is settling into. Trusting that in these moments He will use me to proclaim the Good News to the everyday people I encounter. There is grace enough for the everyday, mercies that are new every morning and divine purpose given by a sovereign God.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

(1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ESV)