Obedience
After reading the powerfully convicting book Radical by David Platt last fall, I knew God was calling me to travel abroad to serve people who are less fortunate. But specifically, as a missionary? I chuckled. However, this well-known yet convicting Matt 28.19 Scripture below kept echoing in my mind:
,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (NLT version).
I remember reading this verse thinking, "How and where am I supposed to go? What will I do?" I thought I God meant I should teach English abroad in Spain or something. But really, I didn't think much about it until I "randomly" stumbled The World Race last October on a Google search. Not random at all as this was Pop's answer to me as to how He wants me to "go and make disciples of all nations." Even though it took me until summer 2012 to actually pull the trigger and apply for the WR, I already knew this is what God is calling me to do. It never in my wildest imagination would I have thought that God would want me to be a missionary for a season in my life. I know God is speaking to me about doing the World Race, and I'm obeying the Lord in moving forward with this endeavor.
Adventure
I always wanted to travel. I've lived in the great US of A my whole life, and need a change from the same ol' daily grind. There's gotta be more to life than walking the traditional, predictable path culture expects you to take after college: choose/pursue a lucrative career, date and find a mate, marriage, mortgage in the perfect, safe suburb, have 2.5 munchkins, etc. Now, don't misunderstand me. There is absolutely nothing at all wrong with living this way. There's a thing or two on that list I hope is in the making for me, but not everyone should be expected or looked down upon if they want live outside the norm. As a solo twentysomething, I wanna explore, experience and expand my life and mentality in ways that a career, a marraige, etc. won't allow due to time, responsibility, energy and freedom. The beauty of singleness some don't realize. The Lord knows the adventure I seek and wanderlust attitude that calls me away. His answer to such a prayer is The World Race, on His timing I might add. I didn't think He would respond so "mammothly" (yeah, I made that up) but "no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2.9, NLT)
Challenge, Restlessness and more than an Escape
Quite frankly, I'm bored. As much as I'm grateful and appreciative of my lifestyle, I need something more. Beyond the predictable and mundane. I'm curently reading Kingdom Journeys by Seth Barnes (the head honcho of The World Race/Adventures in Missions). Here's a quote that from his book that precisely decribes why Pop and I want to do the WR…
"Journeys open up our spirit to the possibility of a reality it hasn’t yet grasped. Away from the familiar, our hearts become a place where God can work, a place where only faith will sustain us. Even though our physical travels may not last a year, the lessons we learn will continue to rend our hearts for years to come. The journey is more than an escape from the things that have come to define us in life — it’s a chance to break free from the shackles of an ordinary existence."
Intimacy with God
"Maybe it’s time you let God send you on a journey. He wants to take you on an adventure to experience the most amazing things in the world. Wherever you go, I believe you’ll discover that he’ll meet you on the way in a variety of disguises and at the most unexpected moments." – Seth Barnes ("Kingdom Journeys")
I know there is so much more to God than the same, bland, predictable ways of being "a good Christian" by dutifully going to church every weekend, reading my Bible sporadically because I'm supposed to or forcing myself with lifted arms and swaying side to side, like everyone else in the congregation, to praise and worship Him. I just have yet to experience it. It's like the lyrics to "Cannot Keep You" by Gungor…
We tried to keep you in our tents
We tried to keep you in our temples
We've worshipped all our idols
We want all that to end
So we will find you in the streets,
and we will find you in the prisons,
and even in our Bibles,
and churches.
I feel like we (and me too) keep God is certain physical places like church. Or in our minds, we think He has access to some places in us but we keep doors locked to other places we don't want Him interefering with. But, God isn't hindered by our cluelessness or stubborness especially when we invite Him transform us and our world into the glory and beauty He originally intended. His presence can be found in the most unlikely places (keep your eyes, ears and hearts open), and that's what I want to experience through The World Race and ultimately in my life: His intimate engagement and communication with me no matter what. Whether I'm Turkey, enjoying baklava with Muslim students or handwashing clothes in Africa without the convenience of a washer & dryer, He is there, and we are doing all these things together. There's communion, correction, comfort and inspiration occuring.
Who is like the Lord
the make of the heavens
who dwells with the poor
he lifts them from the ashes
And seats them among princes…
I love that: "who dwells with the poor, lifting them from ashes and seating them with princes." I want to experience this with God. To serve the poor and watch as God raises them into freedom, provision and peace in Jesus Christ. The poor not only to be seated among princes, but to become princes in His Kingdom 🙂 This is the kind of destiny He has for all of us.
