Saturday mornin
g a group of us set out for a 6am hike to the top of a nearby mountain. We laughed and had so much fun as we climbed up this rocky/sandy mountain and had even more fun as we literally ran down the sandy side of the mountain, sliding and filling our shoes with Trujillo sand.
The best part, though, was the top. The view was amazing as we gazed out over the city and saw our compound and many of the places we ministered this month. We got to pray over the people and over the city as we sat perched at the top.
As we were praying, one of the Inca Link interns read from 1 Kings 19:11-13:
“Then the Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’”
As we sat at the top of the mountain, the Lord asked each of us the same question– “What are you doing here…what are you doing here in Peru? On the World Race?… It can be easy to miss it, easy to go through life and never answer that question. The Lord comes with a gentle whisper, he sweetly and softly pursues our hearts and if we don’t get quiet long enough to hear Him whisper we can easily miss it.
Each of us are “on mission”, either in America or overseas. Our mission is the same despite our location. Jesus gives these instructions to the disciples as He sends them out: “Go to the lost sheep of Israel (insert name of city/state/country God has called you to). As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” Matthew 9:37
What does that look like in our lives? — First, ask the Lord where your ‘Israel’ is…where does He want you? What city, community or group of people does He desire for you to reach? This could look like a mission trip or a crazy move to somewhere new, but most likely it looks like the very place you are right now…Then, ask Him to open your eyes to the harvest, who are the people that need to hear His voice through you?
Follow the calling you feel Him place on your heart, even if it seems crazy. Although the Lord will probably not ask you to heal someone with leprosy in this present age (since there are very few people in the world who still have leprosy), but He might ask you to do something else that sounds just as crazy. Trust that whatever and wherever it is He calls you to, He will provide. Obedience is never easy, but I guarantee you it’s worth it.
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
In summary of this month, I want to share a video one of my beautiful friends, Emily Halverson, made! You will see pictures of this month from ministry, days off and even pictures and videos from our hike!!
Enjoy!! 🙂
