I was listening to a podcast/sermon the other day by David Platt when he said something that really stuck me. I have a lot of respect for David Platt. I heard him speak at a Student Life conference my youth group went to this past new year's. He's really rooted in scripture and keeps things clear and true. Anyways, he was talking about the importance of prayer and how we need to pray to God in complete desperation. He pointed out that if Jesus, God in human flesh, said that he could do nothing without the Father, who are we to think that we can do anything in and of ourselves.

Of course I know this truth in my head, but constantly in my life I start to wonder in my own special brand of ADD and completely leave God out of things. I know I can't do anything on my own, but I constantly need the reminder that prayer is vital to my life.

I also immediately thought about Africa. I mean, with all the excitement, it can be really easy for me to lose sight of the big picture. I have had people tell me that even if this year doesn't go as I have planned then I will still make a lot of great memories, learn bunches about a different culture, and see some great sights. But if that is all that happens then this trip will be a failure in my book. I want God to use me and I believe that is what God wants to. After all, he didn't send his only Son to die for me just so I could see some sights. He saved me to do good works. (Eph. 2) But for me to do this, I need to keep praying and relying on God every step of the way.

Well, I guess this post is more like a pep talk to myself, but I hope others were able to get something out of it.