5 months from know I will be in India.
I will have packed up all my belongings and put them in storage… I will have given my car to my brother… I will have taken a leave of absence from my job… I will have loaded up my hiking pack with what will be everything I own for the next 11 months and I will have said goodbye to my family and friends to board a plane and travel as a missionary to 11 different countries.
My mind goes into over drive, with thoughts of what my life will be like during this season as me and my team travel to India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Asia, Vietnam, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. What will the Lord do through our team?… What will the Lord do in me?… Who will we minister to?… Will I be able to communicate with them?… Will I be homesick?… Will my nieces understand why I won't be able to see them for so long?… What ministries will we be working with?… What will the weather be like?… Will I like the food? … What will I pack?… What if I don't pack enough?… What if I pack too much?… What if I get sick while I"m gone?… Will I be able to raise the $15,500 that I need to go?… Will I be able to use my nursing skills while I'm gone?… W hat will be waiting for me when I return home?… The questions are endless…. I could let them overwhelm me. But instead I want to focus on what I know I can expect from the Lord.
Hebrews 11:6 says, "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who seek him." so…. I expect that as we step out in faith (and out of our comfort zones) and seek the Kingdom of God that we will draw closer to the Lord, learning more of who He is, and just like all the examples in the rest of Hebrews 11, The Lord will work mighty things in us and through us!
Psalm 18: 28-36 says, "For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my god lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my god I can leap over a wall. this God-His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?- the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. he made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of our salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. you gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip." So… I expect that He will prepare us, and protect us and and show us that He is our sustainer and the source of our life. That with Him all things are possible!
Matthew 6: 31-33 says, "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'what shall we eat?' or 'what shall we drink?' or 'what shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." So… I expect that He will provide what we need for the journey physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Conclusion….He is trustworthy.
I can expect these things because His Word is true and He is faithful!
All the small details… All the questions that try to demand my attention… All the unknowns…
I can leave those up to Him!
Be blessed,
Shelley
