the longest week of my life

Going by the subject header, one might assume that I had a hard week. Rather the opposite actually, this last week has been nothing but a positive and memorable experience. This year I have had the pleasure of organising (along with a wonderful committee) the Irish Tennis Intervarsity.

Being a organiser is when I am in my element. I love putting things together, getting to know people through it and seeing people enjoy themselves because of it. Everyday this week involved getting up out of my bed to go to the prayer room for an hour, coming home for a shower and some brekkie, then straight to the boat club to run the tennis from 9-5pm. Afterward I would grab a sauna, get ready, and entertain into the wee hours of the night, the 120 students who had come up from all across the land to play. It meant getting a max of 4 hours sleep a night, but I could do it, couldn't I... because this was when I was in my element - right?

Wrong, because little did I know what God was thinking about it all. Don't get me wrong, I was really enjoying the week, and I felt truly blessed when both the Trinity College and University College Dublin had bought me thank you gifts. However when I returned to my youth weekend, Andrew had a word from God for me. That I was a man of many abilities, that I could do most things in my own strength when I put my mind to it, but if I really wanted to reach higher places with God, places that I can not imagine, I need to die to my own ability, and allow God to flow through me instead.

Cue wake-up call. Something tells me now that those thank you cards I received would be the only reward I would receive for my efforts. I don't want to be like the priests in Matthew 6 whose works would only receive an earthly reward. I want to run the race for Christ and receive what heavenly reward He has prepared for me, so I can give it back to Him in worship. Something tells me that I'm in for a long painful ride, trying to die to myself, giving up attempting things first in my own ability before coming to God. Pray for me as I begin this journey.