Earlier this morning I was fixing a merchandise display at Kamp and thought about how nervous I was to take on the role I currently have. When I heard "Summer Merchandise Manager" I didn't know what to think, but happily accepted the position. I've never worked retail or anything for that matter that involved a cash register! I knew nothing about reordering merchandise, invoices, or entering merchandise into the computer system - actually I knew very little about programs on the computer outside of Microsoft Office and Adobe! I was also a little discouraged as I tried to figure out how exactly my role fits into ministry. However, the women's director here at KAA1 has been so helpful and patient with training me despite not having the proper qualifications. When she hired me, she was confident that I could take on the role and execute it in a professional and mature manner.

Week 1 at KAA has officially began and seeing how much the kids and their Kaleos (adults that brought them) love the merchandise, music and other accessories we have for sale puts everything into perspective. It was one thing to try and focus on how this fit into ministry as I wiggled through staff training week, but it's another to see the look on a child's face when they get the new Andy Mineo CD at Kamp! These items in the store are just little tokens they can take back home and remind them of Kamp - the lessons, the laughter, and the Gospel.....And to think, I wasn't even qualified.

God is the exact same way. Many times the Lord calls us to do things that make us question where that fits into my resume. Like, why would God choose me to do this? How does this even fit into spreading the Gospel? However, when God calls us to service, it's not based on our talents and abilities. It's based on his perfect plan and how he is using us as vessels to reveal His glory. There are so many instances in the Bible of God's power working to do what would seem impossible with man alone. David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) or Gideon and his army of 300 (Judges 7:1-7)! It is not our power that fights battles or saves the lost or gets us to carry out any work we do for the sake of the Gospel - it's God!

Now to HIM who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to HIM be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

It is God and God alone. Time after time He has used broken vessels to carry out His work. The outcasts. The nobodys. The rejects. The misfits. He takes them, cleans them up and sends them out to do work that they previously were not qualified or equipped to do!

And being confident of this, that HE who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

In each of these verses the emphasis is clear. GOD is the one doing the work in us. Not us. Not our talents. Not our abilities. Not our good looks. Not our popularity. Not our education. Not our vocational training. God.

God provides us with new clothes (Colossians 3:10;12) and a gives us a new mission (Matthew 28:19-20). How he does that through each of us individually may seem out of our reach. But the beauty of working for the Gospel is that's what God wants!

He must become greater; I must become less... (John 3:30)

God's strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). If we had everything together we wouldn't need God - or so we would think - and God would not get the glory!

I'm so excited about the work God has placed before me - whether it be at Kamp or the things that are to come. I know it won't be easy, it sometimes may seem random, and often times not practical, but it's comforting to know that God is working all the more when I am at my weakest point and not confident in what I can do. God gets the glory when I stop looking at what I am and am not qualified for and let Him provide me with the tools to do what He's called me to do.

...Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Love y'all!