December
Hello Community,
Happy December! It has been such a beautiful whirlwind of a month. From an ever-increasing client load, working with my church on social-emotional professional development, my DAD visiting, and, oh… turning 30, it has been such a crazy, fabulous month. Though my body craves the Christmas break, my heart feels full of all that has happened over this past month.
Personal Update
I have been doing well. I loved having my dad here – playing games, climbing a volcano, and celebrating my birthday was so special. I didn’t realize how significant it is to celebrate a birthday with family. Having lived away from home for six years, I couldn’t articulate it, but something always felt missing. Having my dad here on my actual birthday hit the spot.
I invited some of my closest friends to my house for my birthday party for worship and mulled wine. Worship and wine, those two things mix…right?! It was so beautiful to spend time socializing, celebrating, and relishing the presence of God together.
I am also still enjoying learning how to counsel. I am finding new techniques and growing all the time. It’s great when you step into a new career (especially after two years of learning about it) to find that you take such joy in each part. I know I am in the right space when I only want to listen to counselling podcasts in my free time.
Ministry Update
I am seeing such growth and movement in how God works through everything He has called me into. In counselling, sometimes I step back in amazement at how perfectly God planned for me to be doing what I am doing. I hear weekly stories of how counsellors are needed on the mission field, being present in people’s sufferings. Seeing the direct impact that I can have on individuals, which then makes a more significant impact on a community, is incredibly rewarding. I am grateful for where the Lord has me.
I have also been partnering with my church this month to begin a series of social-emotional development. Working with our staff, I’ve walked them through critical concepts of checking their thoughts and growing awareness of how this impacts relationships/well-being. One member said, “We’re always taught to renew our thoughts but never given practical steps on HOW to do this. These concepts help me to know exactly how to walk this out.” I love being a part of organizations where people are eager and hungry to learn and grow.
Giving Tuesday
If you missed it, here is the video I put out on Giving Tuesday. I am seeking any one-time donations that will go towards my student line of credit. If you want to partner in this way, I have also attached the information below.
Ways to Give:
Etransfer: breanna-e-thompson@live.com
*This option gives me the total amount if you don't need a tax receipt
Crossworld Canada: crossworld.ca/give/support-a-disciple-maker
Project #: 45329
*This option gives you a tax receipt.
John the Baptist Exalts Christ: John 3: 22-30
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).
25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Interestingly, I had written up another thing to share with you this month on active listening. However, I was incredibly struck by this verse today, and I felt God lay something on my heart about it to share with you.
I imagine being John here, standing a way off from Jesus, listening to his disciples point out how the people were flocking to Jesus rather than them. His head tilts as he focuses on Jesus, knowing the goodness and glory within this man – seeing and knowing the enjoyment people will receive through their encounters with him. I picture it like the anticipation as you watch, with excitement and confidence, as someone opens a present, and you know they will love what is inside.
This is how I imagine John anticipating the goodness that he knows is there but knowing that others don’t know it yet. While his disciples are a little put off by someone else taking the people away, John is overjoyed the bride has found her bridegroom. He even goes as far as to say, “This joy of mine is now complete.” Out of what he has seen in Jesus, his joy is complete to decrease his ministry so that others may see Jesus.
Here is what amazes me. I can even feel my body respond in excitement as I write these words. The next thing from John’s mouth is, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
These words.
Have you heard them used before?
In what context were they used?
Did you feel close to Christ and his love once you heard them?
In the past, I knew these words in the context of “me becoming less.” Less of what? Less of anything that was not Christ. Dying to self, becoming more like him. However, I knew these words in the frame of white knuckling it. Almost as if I squeeze hard enough and don’t look at anything terrible, I will somehow make myself like Christ—all of him, none of me. Then, I will have reached the peak of Christianity. Perfection, the end goal, is to be like Jesus.
But is this the peak? To be like Jesus?
Or, like John saw, is it first to k n o w Jesus intimately?
First, let’s all recognize that what John is talking about here isn’t about himself but his ministry. He was there for a time, and now his job is to step back so Jesus can step forward. Second, can we see what comes first before this statement? His recognition and JOY of who Christ is. Before John is willing to step back, he has had an experience of knowing Jesus. He doesn’t say this through gritted teeth, willing himself to fight the flesh. I imagine him with a little smile and a whole heart, anticipating the goodness in this next season.
Please hear me – I am all for ridding ourselves of our sinful nature. What I am encouraging myself (and maybe you, too) is the context in which this is approached. John was willing to step back because he had confidence in the capability and value of what (or who) was stepping forward. For so many years, I have fallen into a rut of striving to become less without knowing who is stepping forward. Heart knowing – not head knowing.
As I read this scripture today, I felt the Lord press upon my heart the importance of knowing. To do less and spend more time with him. Through this, the desire for Him to become more comes from knowing Him and experiencing his infinite value within him. Like someone waking up and understanding the value of their gift, I can smile and with ease say, “Lord, become more in me today.”
Praises
I am loving the sunny weather this week! After weeks and weeks of rain (resulting in laundry hanging out and trying to “dry” for days at a time), I am thankful for the reprieve.
The Lord has provided me with a new personal counsellor who turned out to be a Christian (not my planning). I am continually grateful for his guidance in my healing/growth.
Thankful to those who gave during Giving Tuesday. Because of you, my loans are a little less!
Praise God for the clients he has given me and the people he places in my path. He works out all the details when we say “yes” to Him.
Prayer Requests
Pray for my December break that I will take a moment and enjoy the time. I tend to keep going, learning, and doing; but I must remember to give my body what it needs.
Pray over my mind and heart as I continue learning. My perfectionist tendency can get caught up in doing this job “well” when that definition is so fluid. When working in a people profession, there is no definitive “well”; I can only really try my best.
My student loan has been weighing on me lately, and I continue to pray the Lord will provide me with the finances I need to pay it off. Please pray that He will provide the people willing to help me relieve this financial burden.
My entire family is coming from January 20 to Feb 9. Will you please pray for this trip? Pray they are protected against jet lag and sickness and that they enjoy the trip overall.
As always, I VALUE you. Thank you for following along, supporting me, and reading what the Lord has put on my heart. Thank you for being you.
-Breanna
