I’m at Byron Bay, a breathtaking beach with beautiful people. Before I arrived, I imagined this month playing volleyball and learning to surf in hopes of building relationships and then telling them what they have been missing out on their entire lives and the only one that could truly satisfy their souls is Jesus. This month may somewhat look like that, but I have a feeling it will look like something else.
When we arrived at Byron Bay, I was exhausted from traveling after getting about 11 hours of sleep in the past 4 days. I just wanted to spend quality time with God, but that didn’t happen. Some how my entire day was packed full of something.
The first night at Byron Bay, we went to the church where the YWAM team was for prayer and worship before going out on the streets for evangelism with the card board signs.
Ian, the YWAM leader, said something that rekindled a passion in me. He said, “Do you anguish for the lost?” Before coming on the World Race, I felt my heart break for people who didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. But last month, I didn’t feel that anguish. Last month, I felt distant from God because I was too concerned about my struggles and my needs. Well, I’m over myself. I want to put others first and be in anguish for the ones who don’t know Jesus as their friend, comforter, and redeemer. This month is basically “Ask The Lord” so I’m asking and God is slowly revealing His plan.
A man keeps popping in my head. It’s not just any man. It’s a large, drunk, vulgar, hateful, man who hates Americans. It’s the man who was bashing us when we arrived to Byron Bay. It’s the man that is hurting and broken and needs the love of Jesus. I anguish over him. My heart breaks for him as I cry to God. I’m not sure what God wants me to do. God may just want me to pray for him, but I think God wants me to talk to him and tell him that God loves him even if the man doesn’t love God back. But it’s scary. What if the man yells nasty things at me? What if he hits me? What if it’s in a crowded street and I start crying? what if, what if? But if God tells me to say something I want to be obedient.
But those are the wrong questions to ask myself. What if I don’t say anything and his heart never changes? What if I keep quite and he lives the rest of his life miserable? What if he never feels the love of the Father?
Psalm 27:1-3, (4-14)
The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom sall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
I ask everyone reading this to pray hard for this man and me. (I don’t know his name, but we’ll call him Jim Belding) Pray that the Holy Spirit softens Jim’s heart and prepares the way for me. Please pray that I would be bold and not be ashamed of Jesus in the face of persecution. Pray that I would speak in love and humility.
Ephesians 6:19-20
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
