How I was Called to the Mission Field

Missions Trip Thoughts

        We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story…

Several months back, maybe in February I started thinking about taking some vacation time from my job. I didn’t know what to do, but I knew that I wanted to do something meaningful. In my prayer time I sensed the Holy spirit leading me to think about serving others in some way. I didn’t know what that might mean or what that would look like, but I felt the stirrings of a fire inside. When one of my friends told me about a missions trip they would be exploring in New Orleans building homes for the homeless.

My heart immediately jumped at the chance to serve in this way. I asked my friend talk to his pastor about joining them. Because of the stress it was causing to my friend to make arrangements for me to join them I asked God just to make it really clear where he wanted me to serve. I told Him I was available for the bold and courageous plans he was stirring in me. The trip to New Orleans was put on hold and I began searching for another opportunity to serve. By this time I knew that God was placing a passion for serving inside me. It was there all along, I had just woken up to the fact. 

 

I also have to say that my work experience was something I was continually questioning God about as far as how to be his hands and feet there. He was showing me how to pray for my co-workers and the children I served and gave me opportunities to serve. I wasn’t perfect, but I remained teachable and Jesus used those experiences to teach me so much about God’s character and how to rest and abide in his grace. God  was indeed doing a new thing in my heart; renewing my mind and increasing my faith in him. Once I began seeing the fruit of his labor in me I was thirsty, hungry for more. I was wanting to trust God for the more that he wanted so desperately to do in my life. I was tired of looking to my job, abd specialized skills for security. It was amazing to me how Christ work in me was producing love for the children and my co workers.  I wanted him to work in other areas of my life that needed his loving touch. I wasn’t afraid, but actually excited about what an adventure with God might look like.

 

I didn’t know what to expect, but when I saw the adventures in missions and read the World Racers blogs I was compelled to apply and pray for God’s work here. It is exactly what God had been preparing my heart to recieve, yet I feel that even now my heart is full and it does not have room enough to receive all that God has planned for me. I’m greatful and humbled to be considered worthy to spread the word of God wrapped in flesh, crucified, and resurrected in our precious savior Jesus Christ.  I work now from a sense of awe, “God do I really get to do this” no matter the challeges I face at work my heart is greatful for all that God has done in me and how he keeps renewing and washing me in his mercy daily.

 

I am definitely honored to serve here where I am at, but Oh what a blessing to be the feet and hands of Jesus with this great adventure called the World Race. My heart cries desperately for more of him. “Make yourself at home in my heart Jesus” I pray. But even when I forget to pray this way he always has a way of drawing me back to this and closer to him. I trust him to do this because he said he would and that he loved me so much that he didn’t want to think of life without me. What a wretch I am in light of such marvelous love. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel the rhythms of such wondrous love flowing through my veins, poured out as a love offering on the altar of God’s heart beating for the world.  But I receive it  no matter how  unworthy I feel. I don’t deserve it, but I’m so greatful for it. God I pray ‘prepare me to be a sanctuary pure and holy, tride and true and with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.’ God bless and peace.

Janet