Photo by mr phillipI recently had coffee with a friend. We were just shooting the breeze at first and then started talking about how our 2010s are coming along. So I shared with him that I’m settling into my home, that I also lead worship for the youth on the second Sunday every month, and I’m transitioning to become a high school counselor. I told him that all these things are doing fine, but I still have my doubts if things will work out in the end. Still unsure if I can manage a home…some team members are moving on…being unsure if the HS people will like me as much as the Jr Highers do, etc.
Then my friend asked me with a smile, “Albert, how proud are you about how far you’ve come?” And that stopped me in my tracks.
No kidding. The man asked me a very simple question and I couldn’t give a straight, genuine answer. Now the truth was, I did manage living by myself in an apartment during my college days (with three friendly yet very different roommates). I helped put together new teams before and each succeeded in leading worship in it’s own unique ways. Lastly, I came into the Eureka Fellowship (Jr. HS) three years ago a stranger to everyone yet I’ve recently received encouragement notes from many of them wishing me well. One really touching note said hopefully you will help them as well as you helped us…imma miss you since you’re going to alpha ): but thank you (x 
It hit me then, that I don’t own my successes. That I’m willing to accept or dwell on a failure, but I would dismiss an accomplishment as if I had little to do with it.
It’s a lie I tell myself to believe. And I don’t think it’s very healthy.
The truth is, we operate out of who we believe we are. And God needs us to be strong, because there is important work to be done. God isn’t served when we can’t own our own accomplishments. He doesn’t want us arrogant, but He does want us confident. God has delivered us in the past (in partnership with our actions) and He can do so again. ~ Donald Miller
I’m starting to make a list of all my accomplishments. Some I can recall like yesterday. Others I need to dig deeper. To force myself to look back and remember the time I was saved, where I was given grace, when God came to my rescue. Then I can’t help but leave with thankfulness that fills my soul like water.
Would you make a list of your successes too? Keep writing them out. You might be surprised at how far you’ve come. You might be surprised what God can do through you.
Your soul may not be thirsty anymore.
Mine is filled and ready.
