This one time, at church camp, a leader told me I would go into missions. This was clearly impossible, as I had already decided I was
going to be a famous actress. I was pretty set on this plan through high school. Then I went to college where, as Shane Claiborne would say, Jesus ruined my life.
going to be a famous actress. I was pretty set on this plan through high school. Then I went to college where, as Shane Claiborne would say, Jesus ruined my life.
The more I learned about the suffering in the world the less I found myself able to pursue my dreams. My heart became burdened for the oppressed, and because of that I began to resent God. I was angry at Him for allowing oppression, but even more so, I was angry at Him for allowing me to feel so deeply about it.
When I was at a mission convention at the end of 2006, I sought out prayer for my angst-ridden heart. With tears streaming down my face, I explained my bleak outlook on the world. After listening to my despondent rant, the woman praying for me was surprised when I told her my name was Hope.
That’s when everything clicked. My name is not just a label for who I am, it is who I am. I am the hope of Christ. My life has been predestined to bring hope to those who have none. This is the very essence of my existence.
And so, while I’d much rather not bother with the issues of injustice that the world faces, I know it is my destiny.
To put it simply: I was called to the mission field the day my parents named me.
