All IMMERSION team members learn many things during their terms across the globe. After 3 months in Namibia, Deanna wrote down on her blog 10 things she learned during her IMMERSION term.
1. There is a choice associated with everything you do. You choose what you think. You choose how you act. You choose how you react. If you want to change how you act, you must change how you think. But it’s your choice.
2. Change is a process. Some days are better than others, but even a small change is a step in the right direction. The first step is recognizing that you need to change.
3. It’s very difficult to grow if you’re comfortable. Get out of your comfort zone. Be challenged. Be uncomfortable. Try something new. You can’t learn if you don’t move.
4. Selflessness is far more rewarding than selfishness. Die to yourself. Put others first. True satisfaction comes from selfless living.
5. Be intentional. Mindless living isn’t living at all. Be intentional with your conversations and your actions. Go the extra mile. Think before you act. Life is too short and far too precious to be unintentional.
6. Love yourself. You are beautiful and perfect just the way you are. Don’t ever let someone steal your joy in yourself. Delight in who God made you to be, for you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
7. Don’t be afraid to love. Life can be overwhelmingly difficult and seemingly unfair and as a result, our hearts can harden over time. We distance ourselves from one another because it seems safer that way. But safety is just a mirage anyway. Soften your hearts and love fully. The joy that you experience will be well worth it.
8. Focusing on the destination can make you disregard the journey and, for this reason, not knowing the destination can make the journey more enjoyable. You cherish every step and every moment. The future is unknown so the present becomes so much more important. Enjoy the journey.
9. We are all broken and impoverished in some degree and in some form—whether that’s emotionally, spiritually, physically, or materially. No form is superior to another, regardless of how it looks. We are all broken and that makes us all equal. Equal parts that can work together to restore each other and build each other up.
10. God’s plan for you is perfect. He has pre-arranged every day and every moment. There is a purpose for everything, even the struggles and the pain. We aren’t supposed to fully understand His plan, but we are supposed to trust Him. God is good, so abundantly good.
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What will you learn from IMMERSION?
Check out the 3-Month Namibia term in 2018!
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