I’ve tried to write this blog multiple times, trust me. But I’ve found it very difficult to try to put words to situations that are honestly indescribable. There’s an entire nine months I just lived that I want to lay out for all of you. I want you to see the life changing things the Lord has done that words are simply insufficient to describe. I wish I could tell you all I have learned, but I’m not even sure yet. You see, I’m too much in the middle of it all. Yes, the race is days from being over, but it’s one of those “You don’t know what you have until it’s gone” things. And it’s not quite gone yet. And I’m still trying to grasp all that has happened. It’s like knowing there is this beautiful landscape in front of you, but you are stuck looking at only one blade of grass. It takes perspective.
Here I am. Sitting at final debrief in Montenegro. Wracking my brain to pick just a few moments to tell you about. The sun has already been up for several hours. The ocean is just a hop and a skip away. In this hostel where I sit, my family for the last nine months is somewhere nearby.
So zoom out. Take a step back.
This is the end of month 9. I’ve been traveling for the last nine months. I’ve lived in so many places its hard to choose a favorite. My home has been a church, a children’s home, a hostel. My days have been full of teaching English, preaching in churches, playing with kids for hours on end.
Zoom out again.
These nine months of my life have been just that. Nine months. I am nineteen years old. These few months have been impactful in more ways than I count. I’ve loved more, laughed harder, and waited on the Lord much more patiently. But as for my life, this is just a piece of it. A season come and almost gone. And the Lord has so much more waiting for me.
Another step back.
My life is one of billions. I am just one girl from a small city in Arkansas. There are 50,000 others that live in that same city. Millions that live in the states. Billions on this earth. And the Lord knows them all. Formed them all. Sees them all. And loves each the same. But even better than that, he has something planned for every. single. one.
This is what He had planned for me. To travel this earth and make relationships that will last forever. To become all things to all people in order to reach more for the gospel. This was the hand I was dealt, but I’ve the choice in how to play my cards. I’ve had to lay down my will time and time again. I’ve been reluctant at times, but Jesus still waited for me to choose him. And in those moments of choosing, I’ve experienced Him ever so deeply.
But He has so much planned for you too. In your jobs. In your universities. In your cities. No matter where you are, there are people you can reach. Sometimes Jesus will take you all over the world to reach them, but most times He has already put you right where you need to be. It doesn’t take much, often just a quiet “yes, Lord” and a small step forward. It’s a simple gospel. One fit for all people. He’s dealt you your cards already. And trust me, you’ve got a good hand. Play it well.
