so, i promised that i would write a blog about “my story” after my original “what’s your story” post, but every time i’ve opened my computer lately i’ve been a little distracted (i’ve also been distracted by a lot of other things, but that’s for another blog, another day). anyways, here’s my story…
as i was glancing through my notes from the conference to see what i wanted to write about, two scripture references caught my attention and reminded me of God’s greater purpose for all of us who know Him:
“‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ how then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? and how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? and how can they hear without someone preaching to them? and how can they preach unless they are sent? as it is written, ‘how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'” (romans 10:13-15)
“look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. for i am going to do something in your day that you would not believe, even if you were told.” (Habakkuk 1:5)
God is doing big things in our world, he is sending more and more people to reach the unreached, and he’s not going to let anything stand in his way. as humans, we just get to play along in the drama that he is unfolding. sometimes he chooses to use us, and sometimes he chooses to have us sit on the sidelines so that he can teach us something else. (i could write another whole blog about this stuff, but for now, just know that those verses had a huge impact on me and reminded me of quite a few things).
the story’08 conference was, for me, a time of reflection and renewal. what a year it’s been, huh? i started out with midnight fireworks over the city of manila, spent three weeks in the frozen vastness of china, then headed to africa and central america before heading back to the states. and then went in to what seemed like forever of dwelling in the unknown, a trip to florida over Christmas with my family, and ending the year with stories from around the world that culminated in an amazing time of prayer for the nations and some crazy-awesome worship as the clock struck 2009.
i say it was a time of reflection because i was able to look back at all my own stories from this last year and see what God did in all those places. i could tie in talks about Buddhism with what i experienced in southeast asia. i could see faces in my mind of people who are ministers of the gospel and are persecuted because of it. i could picture joy on the faces of new believers as i heard countless stories of people hearing the name and power of Jesus for the first time.
it was also a time of renewal because, after a few months of frustration, after getting sidetracked by this crazy society we live in, i remembered (part of) why i’m here – to bring Christ’s light wherever he puts my feet. i remembered a vision he gave me way back at the beginning of the race, where i was walking on a dark globe but where my feet landed light spread from those places. God’s reminding me now that even here in America there are dark places that need to be illuminated, hurting people who need comforting, and lost people who need someone to guide them home to Jesus. he’s reminding me that wherever i am, i an be used by Him. he’s also renewing my passion for the unreached, and even though i have no idea where that will take me, i’m excited.
let me tell you, these last (almost) six months since returning to Michigan have not been easy. rejection, hard times, financial issues, and apathy have faced me. but God is good. and for the time being, i’m where he wants me, even if it’s hard for me, even if i’ve longed for something different.
so my story, vague though it may seem, is that i’m continually being molded so i can best be used by God. not gonna lie – this part of life can be super hard. but like i’ve said over and over, God is good. and he’s going to hold me up through all the tough times. and through whatever he sends my way, he’s making me more like him, and that’s right where i want to be.
