Anyone that really knows me, knows I struggled in Uganda. I wasn’t myself, was extremely culture shocked the entire time, and had bouts of homesickness. I came back convinced I was not called to missions. Signed, sealed, delivered.
And yet, here I am.
Let it be known that this, my friends, is a miracle.
Sure, I love to travel. But little known fact: I also like to have some control and knowledge as to how I travel. It’s this little trust issue that gets me every single time.
Towards the end of the school year, I found myself at a crossroads. I could either go work as an intern at an awesome church with wonderful people, or, I could do the World Race (which is equally as wonderful).
Obviously, since we are here, I felt lead to the race.
BUT WHY. Everything with the other offer seemed safe and secure; it seemed like the smart move. It was familiar. Sure, I’m new to ministry and certainly do NOT know even close to anything about everything youth ministry related, but I felt like it was the safe choice. I felt like it would grow me, but not in the way I needed to be grown.
I needed to be awakened.
In Mark 5, we read the story of Jesus raising Jairus’ little girl from the dead. Long story short, Jairus (a priest) went to Jesus for help- he believed that Christ would be able to heal his little girl. On the way to his house, a woman touches Jesus’ robe, there is a healing & teaching moment with the woman (cool story, but not my point) and while they are in this little scenario, Jairus gets word that his little girl has died. Jesus told him to only believe, continued on to Jairus’ house, asked everyone mourning in the house to leave, and said to the little girl “Talitha Cumi” which means “Little girl, I say to you, ARISE.” and she rose. Oh, and then he made a point to tell them to feed her…that may be my like 3rd favorite part. You know, after the miracle and Jesus’ awesomeness. (If you want the actual story read Mark 5:21-43.)
Talitha Cumi or Talitha Koum (depending on which translation you use), was something that resonated with me.
Little girl, I say to you…ARISE.
God is calling me out of my comfort zone; out of my patterned sleep walk to follow him.
I have two options: I could stay and run the risk of staying the same, or I could leave knowing, in faith, that I will change.
I choose to change. I choose to become a better Christ-follower, minister, sister, daughter, friend, and hopefully one day wife, mother, aunt & grandmother.
I have been living as if I were dead, and Christ has called me to life.
No more spiritual drought and apathy.
Life. Adventure. Challenge. Tears. Joy. Redemption. Revelation and so much more.
I will arise and follow him.
