'round the world... again?

I've been praying about a couple of journeys in the next year - one to Northern Ireland to spend time with pastors in County Down just pouring into them to encourage them to keep going. The other is Afghanistan, mostly to help distribute food and to pray for God's work there. It's been an interesting time of releasing my preferences - the ways I want to serve - for the ways I'm called to serve.

I was thinking further yesterday on 2 Timothy 2:20. Paul talks about how some vessels are gold or silver and reserved for use only on special occasions. Then there are wooden and pottery utensils that are for daily use. When we set ourselves up to do only what we like to do in ministry, it's like we're assuming that we are the gold or silver cup. But when we give up our preferences and simply love God and love people in the ways we can today, we're the humble-looking cup being picked up, filled up, and poured out every day. The more I think about it, I'd rather be a simple vessel and be used by my Father each and every day - not just occasionally. That's all for that tirade.

Hey football fans - Champions League final next week! Too bad no faves in the match, but oddly I find myself leaning toward AC Milan thanks to their Brazilian contingent... Weird since they were responsible for knocking Bayern out of the running.