30 days, wow! …1 month from today I will be headed off to northern Georgia to meet my squadmates, find out who my teammates are, and get prepared for the journey that awaits me in January!!! (Training camp is October 13-20th)
I am getting SO excited as training camp approaches, as I continue to raise support and begin to finalize my gear…and in a lot of ways it feels surreal that I will be leaving the country in a little less than 4 months.
It’s so easy to get caught up in all the preparations—researching various backpacks, clothing, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, etc…purchasing travel insurance…getting immunizations and paperwork together…planning fundraisers/ support raising…and managing an infinite list of to do’s. As my mind floods with all the things I have yet to do, my focus is often led astray from the real mission ahead…. In the end it doesn’t matter what water-resistant, moisture-wicking clothing I’m wearing, what the dimensions and weight of my sleeping pad are, or how many pounds/liters of gear my pack can hold.
Honestly, despite the money, time and effort put into all these preparations, what I will carry on my back has little worth or value, because in the end what truly matters is the Word of God I will carry in my heart, the encouragement and words of truth I will carry in my mouth and the gentleness and compassion I will carry in my touch.
Answering the call the Lord has put on my heart and passionately pursuing those around the world in need of His love and mercy—that is my true mission.
In the society and culture that we live in, it is so easy to get caught up in the meaningless details. We work ourselves silly over things that have no eternal value. We let things of little value steal our precious time and focus.
A recent reading in my devotional book, Jesus Calling, put it into perspective for me:
“Let the dew of my presence refresh your mind and heart. So many, many things vie for your attention in this complex world of instant communication. The world has changed enormously since I first have the command to be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). However, this timeless truth is essential for the well-being of your soul. As dew refreshes the grass and flowers during the stillness of the night, so My presence revitalizes you as you sit quietly with me.
A refreshed, revitalized mind is able to sort out what is important and what is not. In its natural condition, your mind easily gets stuck on trivial matters. Like the spinning wheels of a car trapped in mud, the cogs of your brain spin impotently when you focus on a trivial thing. As soon as you start communicating with Me about the matter, your thoughts gain traction and you can move on to more important things. Communicate with me continually, and I will put my thoughts in your mind.” –Sarah Young, Jesus Calling
Am I Mary, sitting at the Lord’s feet and listening to what He is trying to say to me? Or am I Martha, distracted by all the preparations to be made and ignoring the gift that is in front of me daily in spending time with the Lord? I encourage you to ask yourself these same questions.
“ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’…
‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’ ” Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
As I continue to prepare for this journey, I want to make the commitment to focus my time and efforts on what truly matters. I want to me a Mary and not a Martha.
Only one thing is needed…I want to choose what is better, what truly matters.
On a different note, I want to thank you all sooo much for your generous support! I have reached my first goal of $3,500 and I am now officially funded for training camp! About 25% down, 75% to go!!
Please consider partnering with me in this journey through your prayers and financial support!
Donating online: simply click on the “Support Me” tab on the left side of my blog site (melissamilroy.theworldrace.org) and follow the instructions to donate online.
For those who do not wish to donate online and avoid a 5% processing fee, you can send a check payable to Adventures in Missions with "Melissa Milroy-January 2013” in the memo line to: Adventures In Missions, PO Box 534470, Atlanta, GA 30353.
Support goals:
October 1st: $3,500 (MET!!!- thank you thank you!!!)
December 15th: $6,500
March 1st: $11,000
June 1st: $15,500
Love you all and cannot thank you enough for all your love and support!!! 🙂
