We have been asked to write an essay entitled “This I Believe” about what really matters to us as preparation for this world missions adventure called The World Race. This is what I believe: the same power that Jesus utilized is now mine if I only choose to engage it.
In the bible we can read: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these,” John chapter 14 verse 12.
So after Jesus says that, I can’t help but look at everything he has done and wonder. Could I really tell a paralyzed man to walk? (Matthew chapter 9) Could I offer peace in the midst of fighting? (John chapter 8: stoning the adulteress) Could I bring someone back from the dead?! (John chapter 11: Lazarus) The answer to all these questions is yes! Believing in Jesus as the son of God and in the things he spoke about means exactly this.
I first started realizing that “I’ve got the power” as God has let me be a part of people being healed. (P.S. My first blogs are all about this subject. Listening Prayer#1: co-worker, Listening Prayer#2: at church 9/18) But, that is not the only power God has given me.
He has given me the power to be patient as he was patient,
And now that I know that I have the ability to do the same things as Jesus, how am I going to live differently? Well, for starters I asked God to show me my place to get me out of American comfort to do missions work. I did a simple internet search (“Lord find me a mission field”) and found The World Race website. I read all the blogs and really felt like it was not coincidental that I found that site, seeing as how I had never heard of Adventures In Missions or The World Race before. I have a passion to see different cultures of the world and find God everywhere and here was my opportunity!
Next, I have to leave everything behind: my family, my friends, my down comforter, my closet full of clothes, my tap water. And go with everything I really need: Jesus. I am too distracted here with all my stuff and if it’s not my stuff then it’s my friend’s stuff and I’m jealous. But, next year I will learn what it looks like to have Jesus as my best friend and all that I need. To rely on him to give me hope through reading the bible that I really can “do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians chapter 4 verse 13) To trust that “The Lord Himself goes before [me] and will be with [me]; he will never leave [me] nor forsake [me].” (Deuteronomy chapter 31 verse 8)
I want to live differently than I do now, and know that throwing myself out into the world for the sake of Jesus and the hope he brought will be the catalyst for that. I do not want to expect this trip to change my life, though, rather I want to go on this trip because my life has already been changed and this trip will bring me to a new place of living everyday with greater purpose and reliance on God.
Romans chapter 12 verses 1&2 New Living Translation version.
