(A home on the hillside across from a Carepoint in Swaziland.)
One of the reasons I embarked on the World Race was to find out where God was calling me and, more specifically, to whom He was calling me. Where in the world does God want me to serve? What kind of work has He created me to do? To which nation or people group will I be drawn? Which will pull on my heartstrings? Where is God calling ME?? All these were questions I was seeking an answer to… After meeting my teammates, I soon discovered they were on a similar quest. Very few of us really had an answer. I soon found myself envious of a teammate who knew from an early age where it was she had been called. But, God, where do you want me?
(Praying with my friend Glynicia in South Africa.)
And so, all year, as I served in each community and with each organization, my heart constantly asked, could this be it? Is this where God would have me? Are these the people God wants me to reach? Yet, each month I struggled, noticing an absence of that burning passion that I was expecting to feel for a certain group. Each month contained various connections, but nothing stuck out as a place or people I was called to – no burning desire in me; no still, small voice speaking to me, “these are whom you are to serve; this is where I want you…” And, so I waited…
During my last week in Cape Town, dani and I used our Adventure Day to visit the beaches in Southern Cape Town. We took an Uber there with one of our favorite Uber drivers (that’s a whole other story!). While we were there, we took plenty of photo ops on the beach, with the rocks, the waves, the sand… I waded into the freezing cold, bone-chilling water that was crystal blue. Afterwards, I took some time to explore and be alone with God… I still had some questions for Him…
So, God, we’re nearing the end of this great Race that you’ve been taking me on. Yet, I’m still confused and yearning to know… Where do you want ME? What do you have for ME? What should I DO in the future to serve you? Where should I make my home?
And as I waited, a little voice came…
“My home is where I AM; We will make our home with those who love us and obey us (John 14:23); Wherever “IAM” is, there is your home and I will make my home with YOU…”
And so, the answer had come… Not as exciting or earth-shattering as I had expected or wanted…
God told me that my home is wherever HE is and HE will make His home with those who love Him, who are HIS. Simple. Easy. Freeing. Yet, to be honest, this is NOT what I had wanted… I wanted a word from Him, I’ve called you to Asia; to Europe; to the Jews; to Americans; to Seattle; to Tokyo; to teach; to sing; to write… In a sense, God has called me to all those things… We are called to love our neighbors and use the gifts we’ve been given to the best of our ability. Beyond that, God has simply called me to make my home and invite Him in. Simple.
(Sunset in Ndola, Zambia.)
And so, as I consider what the future holds, I understand that the choice is mine; freedom is mine. God is not a tyrant, dictating to me exactly where I ought to live my life. Yes, He has a way of living that He wants us to choose so that we can experience the abundant life He paid for us to live. But beyond that, the choice is ours.
You want to be a doctor? As you treat your patients, dispense God’s healing love with every touch. You want to run your own business? Extend grace to your customers and employees as your business grows. You want to be a homemaker? Be the best support your spouse has and the first source of wisdom for your children.
And so, what we do, who we serve, where we make our home… These choices are all ours… They are mine… As long as He is there, it is home.
