I have a confession to make – one that I’ve been mostly transparent about when asked directly – but a confession nonetheless.
I didn’t want to come to Greece.
Sure – it’s exciting to travel internationally. To see entirely new places, people and cultures. And yes – it’s a wonderful cause. To volunteer and serve the refugees during the biggest exodus the world has seen since WWII.
But this wasn’t MY idea. And if it had been solely up to me, I would have said no. I just never felt called. Better that someone else who has a real heart for the refugees to go than to send me over there.
And then there I was – stepping off the ferry boat on the island of Lesvos – throwing my hands up in the air, saying “Why am I in Greece? What are You trying to show me?” All I could give for an answer was that the Lord had made it impossible for me NOT to be there – so there I was.
I didn’t want to work 8, 12, 24-hour shifts at a refugee camp. I mentally sighed at the thought of possibly getting up early to stand in the cold and wait for boats to arrive. The idea of trudging through the mud to get from one tent to another while trying to find clothes that fit someone didn’t thrill me in the slightest. Better someone else who really has a heart for it than me!
“Why am I in Greece? What are You trying to show me?”
I’ve now been here in Lesvos for one week. In that time, the Lord has revealed two of the reasons He’s brought me to Greece. In the next few days, I hope to expand on each of them further in additional blogs. For the sake of brevity, I’ll summarize them for you below.
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My unbelief is debilitating and will keep me from fulfilling the full extent of my purpose in the Kingdom. If I doubt the eternal significance of my every word, smile, action and/or inaction, or doubt that everything matters and He can use it all for His purposes – I’m walking in unbelief.
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By writing this experience into my story, He is writing it into each of your stories as well. Through me, you will hopefully see this crisis through new eyes, a new perspective and a new heart.
I’ll leave you with a thought I had this morning – one I’m sure many of you have already previously had, but for me put this crisis in a whole new perspective. For many, many years, it has been almost impossible for Christians to enter the Middle East. Many times, missionaries are lead right back onto the plane they just disembarked from – to be sent back home without even a consideration. And now – the Middle East is coming to us. In millions. Into places like Germany and Sweden which are easily accessible to us. And I can’t help but recall the verse in Esther which discusses being called for “such a time as this”. God is doing incredible things here. Believe it. Trust it.
For His Glory,
Nat
A view of the mountains from my hotel for your enjoyment!
