I remember when I was a little girl, probably around the age of 10, I said that being a missionary would probably be the worst possible thing I could imagine anyone doing. I was playing in my friends backyard, and for some reason, I just said it right then and there, out loud, so that everyone could hear me.
"Why would anyone ever want to be a missionary?"
And yet, here I am.
God is funny sometimes.
Since returning to Christ in 2009, I have always felt like I wanted to do some kind of mission work. I can’t explain why, but it has always been there in the back of my mind, tugging at my heart. As my graduation from Colorado State University came closer and closer, I had my mind set on doing YWAM. My dear friend Laken did an Arts and Music DTS with them in Germany, and I was convinced that I would join her after my graduation this spring.
However, this last summer while I was working at Eagle Lake Camps, I heard about The World Race through one of my friends who was telling me about our mutual friend who was launching that coming September. I had never heard about the WR before, and when I asked what it was, he simply said,
"It’s where you go to 11 countries in a 11 months."
I thought that was awesome, but I never gave it a second thought. I was doing YWAM after all.
However, a few months went by and I decided to look at the website, just out of curiosity.
[And that was the end of it.]
I had never been so excited about anything in my life. It was everything that I could ever want, everything that I was hoping for in my life.
And I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
[Not saying that YWAM isn't a wonderful ministry, because it is! God just had other plans for me.]
I prayed about it for about two months before deciding to apply. During those months, the Lord showered me with scripture after scripture to confirm that this was in fact what he wanted for me. Some of the scriptures were new, some were old friends, and I feel so blessed that he would be so generous to me in his confirmation.
The very first scripture that he gave to me was from Ezekiel 11-12
The whole thing is great, but some of the key verses were:
"Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while in the countries where they have gone." 11:16
"As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile's baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place to another in place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house." 12:3
[and]
"Therefore say to them, thus says the Lord God: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the world that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord God." 12:28
[I don’t think I have ever cried so many joyful tears, than all of the times he confirmed again and again that this was his will for my life.]
One of the most influential verses that he gave to me during this time was Revelation 3:8. It says:
"'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."
How could God be that good, that loving, that wonderful, that he would send me on an adventure like the World Race? That he would open this beautiful door to the nations, to the world?
[I have never been more humbled in my life.]
But I will walk forward. I will run through these open doors.
And even though I will continue to fall short, I know that he has new mercies for me every morning.
His grace rises with every new sunrise.
And what a beautiful day it is.
[I can't wait for this adventure that awaits me.]
