The love and power of God never ceases to amaze me. Through love He can transform a heart, take away the self-centered dreams and aspirations, center them on Him and fill the heart with a desire to see His name lifted high among all people. This is what He has done for me, what He is continuing to do daily. He is taking the dreams I once held for my life, that were out of a desire to see my name lifted up and shifting the focus to Himself.
This transformation of heart is how I was called to go to the Nations. As a senior in high school my goal in life was to get my education, make connections while in college, and one day become an Ambassador for the United States of America in some country, preferably China. Realistic or not, this was my life goal, what I was seeking to accomplish with my life. I wanted the power and prestige that came along with such a position, I wanted to make a name for myself. Four years later, now as a senior in college, I look back at this goal and laugh. I laugh not because it wasn't a goal worth striving for, but in knowing how God has kept this dream in some means the same, but changing it in the most important way: it became about Him.
In 2 Corinthians 5:20 it says, "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." This is what the calling on my life has become, to be Christ's ambassador, to share with the world the peace that comes from knowing God, desiring them to experience Him. It is no longer about making my name great, but making His great. When I realized this I was excited, I could not wait to finish college so I could go out and tell people about God all around the world.
There was one problem, I was so focused on getting to another country to share God's love that I often forgot to do the same where I was, at home. But this didn't escape God's attention, while on a mission's trip to Asia He continued His work of transforming my heart. As the end of the six weeks was coming to a close if I'm honest, I was disappointed, I wanted to stay there and continue sharing with the students I was meeting. God was encountering people, changing their lives, and I was blessed to be a part of it.
It was at this time God spoke to my heart through Acts 1:8, "But you will receive my power when the Holy Spirt come to you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." I could almost hear him say, "Lena before you go to the Nations, you have to be my witness in your hometown, at NC State, your Jerusalem." Little did I know right when I got home He would place the opportunities right before me and fill my heart not only for the nations, but for those around me at home.
As college comes to an end He is calling me once again to be His witness to the ends of the earth. After much prayer He has led me to the World Race, where I know He will continue to transform my heart and grow the desire for people all around the world to know His love.
