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We were asked to write a blog about how we felt
before leaving on this mission trip.
Here is what I’m expecting…
upcoming journey that will span multiple continents and cultures, I cannot help
but have some mixed feelings about my year abroad. My overarching feeling is excitement and
breathless anticipation to see what God is going to do in and through me. However, that is not to say that I don’t
still have doubts, even fears, about spending a year traveling the world. Thankfully, I am coming to see that one of the most
beautiful things about God is that we can come to Him with and in spite of our
doubts, fears, and questions. So here I
have composed a list of some of my hopes, expectations, fears, and worries
about this upcoming trip.
Hopes and Expectations
- One of my greatest
hopes is that my relationship with Christ will be taken to a deeper and
more intimate level as I draw closer to the heart of God. - I hope to learn to see
through eyes focused on eternity instead of on worldly, temporal things. - I long to see God
move in mighty ways in people’s lives. - I want to see people
set free from bondage to sin and death. - I desire to see
Matthew 10:7-8 come to pass:
“As
you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the
sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
Fears, Anxieties, and Prayer Requests
- I know that God will
require me to give Him complete control of everything. While I am excited about this and I
truly desire it to happen, I know it will not always be easy to surrender
my will to Him. Please pray that
God will give me the strength to die to myself and allow the Holy Spirit
to lead me. - This may sound silly,
but I don’t know as I’m necessarily looking forward to living out of a
backpack for a year. Being weaned
off of all my little luxuries will force me to rely on Christ as my
all-sufficient treasure. It’s just
the weaning part that intimidates me a little.
to wrap up what I’ve been trying to say here let me attempt to leave you with a
picture of my feelings right now. I feel
like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff and preparing to leap off. The thought is exhilarating and terrifying at
the same time. Once I jump, there will
be no going back. I will be in God’s
hands from there. Really, though, that’s
the best possible place for me to be.
