I will TRY to keep this short, sweet & straight to the point….This honestly feels like ripping off a bandaid.
I am no longer going on my year long missions trip with the World Race. Not this year…. or next year for that matter. My World Race travels have actually been postponed, indefinitely.
I know! I know! Like, WHAT? Faith? Tomi? But why?!?! I have to be honest, initially, I was very saddened & deeply hurt myself. Then my heart eyes & ears were opened to greater vision, direction & purpose that God had for me right here at home, in Georgia. Greater only in that the greatest thing for ANY of us is to be in the divine perfect will of God. No one wants to feel like they missed God or heard Him wrong…
That wasn’t the case though. It was just part of my journey. Part of my journey & story that was intentionally designed to process me for my future & next season. Part of my journey that built me in ways I can’t even fully tell you all, just yet. Part of my journey I would not change not one bit.
If He takes away what He himself gave you, will you still trust Him? Will you still follow Him? Will you still BELIEVE!?
I have had the chance to build beautiful meaningful relationships with people I would have NEVER met without this part of my story & I am so grateful. I have grown in my faith & trust in the Sovreignty & Providence of my Lord. I have completely left the place called “Comfort Zone” & am FULLY embracing the place called, “Will You Take A Leap Of Faith, Again & Again & Again?”
This definitely wasn’t in my original plan, but it was always in His.
NOT an EASY decision to make, but a SIMPLE one. One that came about through much prayer & honestly just eventually relinquishing my will in totality & wholeheartedly submitting to His day in & day out. As mentioned in previous blogs, moving back home to Atlanta this past February has honestly been a true faith builder, character shaper, soul transformer & heart changer… Fam, It hasn’t been easy but it has been WORTH IT??? Not even a full year yet, my God!
I love the saying, “If you want a life of adventure, follow Jesus.”
Imagine.
Everyday you wake up knowing that He loves you & has the BEST planned out for you but, NOT knowing in detail what that will look like from day to day….Man, some of us with control issues just shudder at the thought of the latter, lol.
Today, I woke up not knowing I would post this blog but definitively knowing that I am fully loved & known by Him, that my life was/is in His hands & there’s no better place on earth or in heaven to be.
God is so sovereign, intentional & purposeful & the more I see the passion of His heart & love for me to be healed whole & free in every way I just want to cry. I am a firm believer that MISSIONS STARTS AT HOME.
Going out to other nations is great (I JUST went on my yearly missions trip to Jamaica in August) but what about the nation you live in? What about your Immediate Family? Friends? Coworkers? Local Church? Colleagues? Associates? Employees? Clients? Classmates? Fellow Gym Rats? Neighbors? Fellow Grocery Shoppers? Your Cashier? What About Your Community? Your Schools? Your Students? Your Sphere Of Influence? IT STARTS THERE.
I am not at all discouraging any one from going to take Jesus to the nations. CLEARLY that’s exactly what I do, still plan to do & have been doing for years now & will continue to do for years to come. However, I can’t help but think about the state of our homes, families, schools, communities, the state of our great nation, America. A nation that other countries are sending missionaries to, yet we have so many people who profess to be Christians? How Sway?
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! Something is wrong & does not add up. Things have to change, & I am willing to actively be part of that change. My heart aches & beats for the city of Atlanta & all surrounding areas. I am ready to put in work to serve my family, my church & my community.
Will you join me?
If you are reading this I pray a fire is lit in you to do something different & be all that God has created you to be no matter where you are. Don’t settle. You were made for more.
Have a GREAT rest of the month of September. May it be FULL of the manifestation of Gods promises and filled with Suddenlys, Shifts, and Surprises! May you birth what is in you this month and walk in your calling/assignment & purpose! As my pastor said this morning, “This shall be the September to Remember.”
So, what’s NEXT in the life of Faith-Tomi Oluwakoya you ask? Stay Connected, Wait & See!
We were made by God & for God. Until we understand that, life will never make sense.
With Love,
Faith-Tomi Oluwakoya, Daughter 1st
P.S.
This will be my last blog through this platform but not my last blog. No need to send any more money or donate towards my trip. Now, if you want to personally sow into my life and what God is doing…..We can talk outside this blog. LOL.
