Ashburn is a mission field. The people living in these extravagant houses need Jesus as much as the people I met throughout the world. They don’t always realize they need Jesus, because money has provided most of their needs, but alas they still do. As I walk into this next year, (post WR) I am saying Yes. Once again, Jesus has asked me to follow, and as an obedient daughter, my only response can be yes. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a cause I wish to fight for, but won’t always be easy.
I have decided to join the Young Life team and lead in Ashburn. It requires me to swallow my pride and live at home as a 27 year old. It requires me to put myself out there and say yes to hanging out and asking to be included and potentially get rejected. It requires me to be reassured each day that I am worthy to be known. Middle and High school years for me were not easy. I was rejected by most of my peers and all the friendships I had ended after a few short years. But I am believing that through this experience God will redeem those years for me. He will heal my childhood self who believed no one would ever like me or pick me when given the choice.
God is abounding in love and faithfulness. He calls us to step out in faith, but the nice thing is we never do it alone. “The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)” I am choosing to believe God’s promises. I am trusting that He will give me the patience and wisdom to live with my parents for an entire year. I am trusting Him with my finances as I live without a fulltime job. I am trusting Him to bring me community and lasting friendships. God will provide because He is faithful.
I know I just listed all the hard things about making my decision, but these are the things I will have to hand over to Jesus every morning as I pursue the kids here. All those stumbling blocks cannot stop the feeling I have inside me of God saying, “Young Life is where I want you to be.” There are so many reasons why I need to be involved here in Ashburn. I’m a former teacher, therefore I have connections to students and parents in the schools I will be working with. I love middle school students. The three adult leaders for Wyldlife (middle school program) are all male and a female leader is desperately needed. I connected with some of the girls at camp and we already discussed having a bible study this semester. My family lives in the area, which means I will be sticking around after a year away!
Thank you for praying with me this week and the words you all shared. I am excited to see what God does this year through my involvement in Younglife and Wyldlife. I believe God will change me this year in ways I cannot even fathom. The crossroad I will be standing at a year from now will be drastically different because I chose to do Young Life & Wyldlife instead of teaching.
“For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim 1:6, Philip 1:6)
