Being home in NY for 7 days and then on vacation with my parents, and now back to NY has been a rollercoaster of emotions. First saying goodbye to my squad after 11 months on the field and then saying hello to my family in New York. It’s been an exciting time driving a car again for the first time in 11 months, as well as being overwhelmed at all of the choices at CVS and Whole Foods. I came across this quote from a blog I read recently, and it sums up my feelings exactly.
“Missions isn’t different in America. We are different in America. We are an offended culture. We are afraid of being rejected and we are scared of stepping on toes.” Teresa McMillan
After 11 months of praying with strangers, overcoming language and culture barriers, and being empowered to bring the love of Jesus to 11 different countries in Asia, Africa, and Central/South America, it’s been a rude awakening that America might have churches everywhere, but ours is a culture of offense. People are on edge. I’m not sure if it’s just culture shock for me, the fact that everything is so fast-paced, especially in New York, or the fact that everyone I see/meet seems so very busy and so very unhappy.
Lately, the Holy Spirit has been reminding me that even though I’m not on the “foreign mission field”, it doesn’t really change my calling as a Christian. I’ve been given a gift, the free gift of salvation, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and it’s my responsibility to share this gift of freedom with everyone around me, whether it’s children in Africa, Venezuelan refugees in Ecuador, or my neighbor and cashier at the supermarket. But why do I expect to be rejected here in America? Why do I find myself putting up a wall around my heart? Why do I feel less empathy and compassion for my fellow Americans than for those around me when I was in a different country? Lord, please help me!
In my opinion, the root of it all is that people need to experience the love of Jesus. We all need healing from physical, emotional, spiritual ailments. It’s sad that most “Christians” in the USA are living small comfortable lives without taking the risk of telling their neighbors, friends, coworkers about Jesus, and building His kingdom, which is what we are all called to do, listening and leaning in to the Holy Spirit daily. Trust me, I’m preaching to myself too!
I was at my church for the first time in 11 months, the first Sunday of this month, and I noticed my sister-in-law with a bandage around her ankle and she was limping and looked in pain. At first, I simply asked what had happened. Then, I thought – if I was on the Race, we would simply stop and pray for her ankle and believe in faith for the pain to stop. Well, I told my mother, who was nearby what I was thinking, and she encouraged me to follow through. So, my brother, sister-in-law, and I stood in a circle and prayed in Jesus’ name for her ankle. It’s not my story to tell all of the details, but all of the glory goes to God! We saw multiple healings on the Race, and I believe we are still living in the days of the Acts, like in the book of Acts in the Bible.
Another quote I came across recently: “Be a light in a dark place because you might be the last person they get to meet who gets to tell them about God’s love for them.” I pray that this blog post encourages you step out in faith, and I continue to pray for boldness as well. Let’s get out of our comfort zones and share the Gospel and offer to pray with people. Let’s start with our friends and family, then let’s branch out to strangers. Let’s look up from our phones, and see the hurting world around us.
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What is next for me?
Right now, I am enjoying catching up with family and friends, my dog, and reconnecting with my church family. The last full week of September, I will be traveling to Georgia for what is called Project Searchlight. PSL is the last official week of the Race for me. It is a reunion of all of the squads that launched in October 2018. There will be times of corporate worship, fun, and breakout sessions to further empower us to live out all that God taught us the last 11 months.
Overall though, I desperately want God to use me to wake up people around me to live life on mission wherever. I want Americans (specifically my church family) to see that we are ALL called to missions and the mission is everyday in every place. I want to be an inspiration for everyone around me to dream BIG and not limit God, to see His kingdom come, and for LOVE to reign.
My prayer is that we will stop only going to church every Sunday and start being the Church. My purpose is to live out what we are told in Matthew 10, Matthew 28, as well as the book of Acts. I want to live daily on mission, making disciples who make disciples. My goal is to bring life wherever I go and to whoever I meet. I have God’s Spirit inside of me, and I want the world to see and experience God’s love.
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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me on this journey, for donating, and also for reading my blog posts. My next one or two blog posts here will be my last and final World Race blog posts, but I plan to continue sharing what God is doing in my life.
In the final blog post, I will share the link to my personal blog and other ways you can stay in touch with me and follow my journey.
In courageous faith and for His glory alone,
Sharon
P.S.
In the next coming months, I will be doing presentations about the past 11 months at my church and other local churches. Some of the dates have not been finalized yet, but I will definitely post them here once finalized.
Here are the first dates. I would love to see you there!
Friday, October 18th (8pm) and Friday, October 25th (8pm) Youth Mission of Life Church 375 Dobbs Ferry Road White Plains, NY 10607
