Freely you have received. Freely Give.

But my world in many ways is much different than that of the 1st century disciples. 

Rarely do I feel like I can actually relate to how they felt when Jesus called them to give up everything and follow him. 

Rarely do I feel like I can actually relate to what it was like for them to leave their fathers and mothers for the unknown.

Rarely do I feel like I can actually relate to those feelings of exhilaration they must have felt when they, knowing they have no way to provide for themselves, actually find themselves cared for and taken care of. 

until now . . . 

When Jesus sent out his disciples on their first missionary journey he said to them: 

” And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, so freely give. Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.” 

Jesus sent his disciples out with nothing more than the power to bring the Kingdom of God to the earth and the promise to provide for them and that is all that they needed. 

I am getting ready leave. I am dedicating the next four months of my life to fighting human trafficking in 4 countries. I have no plan B. Upon returning to the states, I don’t even have a plan A. 

I have maybe $90 in my checking account. I am literally leaving the USA with no gold, silver, or copper in my money belt.  I have monthly bills while I am gone and a promise that God will provide. How? I have no idea. But I have a promise. 

At first, I was tempted to fear and doubt. But the more I read about the first disciples, the more the feelings of excitement and exhilaration grow! I imagine it is how they must have felt leaving everything behind, having nothing to their names, nothing to show for their livelihoods except JESUS! 

I have seen God provide in CRAZY ways so far. 

I delayed buying my plane ticket to Seattle because I didn’t have the money. The week before Christmas my mum’s boss and my good friend each gave me a christmas card with money in it! . . . my plane ticket! 

I delayed buying my international health insurance for this trip because I didn’t have the hundreds of dollars that it would cost. A friend passing through town on her way home for Christmas said, “I feel led to buy your health insurance for you!” WHAT?! 

My parents, I can’t say enough about them. They have been more generous than I can ever pay back. They have helped me get the remaining supplies I will need to take with me. 

ALL GLORY TO GOD. 

The spirit of fear is defeated. I serve a powerful God who owns the cattle on 1000 hills. I have a Father in Heaven who DELIGHTS in providing for his children.  I don’t know how the rest of my needs are going to be met. But I have a promise and I AM EXCITED! 

The uncertainty of going out with no gold or silver or copper in my money belt, with nothing more than the power to bring the Kingdom of God and the promise of God to provide for my needs is bringing me a growing exhilaration and excitement for my God because I know I am going to see him MOVE. 

But what I am most excited about is LIVING IT OUT. Being a testimony to God’s provision, and giving freely the Kingdom of God because freely I have been given to.