It was a bright vibrant Saturday in Nepal. We got to go to “church”. I put quotes around the term church because your definition is 9 times out of 10 going to be different than the person’s next you. So “church”… what does that even mean? For me, church is not just a building, or a filler activity for your weekend. Church isn’t just something you attend to keep up on your brownie points in Heaven. Church doesn’t stop at the body of believers either. Church is communing with others while giving God glory. Sure, church can also look like many other things, and have a certain criteria, or guidelines, or stipulations. My definition of church has been a foundational and fundamental turning point for me throughout my journey. Communing with others while giving God glory means I can have church anywhere, all the time. It’s a choice I get to make. We had an amazing opportunity to attend a local church service here in Pokhara. I entered this place after having a very emotionally draining couple of days. Between missing home, friends and family, and having to make some big decisions that do not just affect me but my team as well, I was overwhelmed and just so dang tired. We arrived in a taxi, off this muddy road, to a small building behind a metal gate. We took off our shoes and placed them on a shoe rack outside the entrance prior to walking in. We were welcomed into a place where people were gathered, already singing praises to the King. My heart was gripped by what my eyes witnessed. I saw a vivid imagine of what is promised to come.
“After this I looked, and behold, right in front of me I saw a vast multitude of people—an enormous multitude so huge that no one could count—made up of victorious ones from every nation, tribe, people group, and language. They were all in glistening white robes, standing before the throne and before the Lamb with palm branches in their hands.” Revelation 7:9 TPT
As I stood there with a laminated book of hymns, attempting to following along with the Nepali, peace washed over me. I was so completely undone by the reality of His faithfulness, I had to step out. I walked out of the building and watched from the outside, tears streaming down my cheeks. I stayed in that moment thanking Him, realizing the end goal, the part I play in that, and this unconditional, undeserving love that I get to constantly live in.
I walked back into the room where worship was at the forefront. People of all shades were lifting their hands, clapping off beat, and singing in different languages. I sat down and read that verse in Revelation over and over again. In that moment while I was experiencing peace that eased my mind and soul, I also felt the call on my life to “go to the nations” put into a different perspective. The role we play in the Great Commission or even the Kingdom is irreplaceable, but God does not NEED me to complete all the things that He has promised He would fulfill. He is faithful to finish it, with or without me. That is not to say that I am not important.
My role, the gifts that I have been graciously given, and who I am as a daughter is something beautiful, unique, and exactly what God has intended. He has placed the desire in my heart to go to the ends of the world and tell people about this insanely good news. If I were to dismiss the call on my life and just live life for myself I do believe the “job” would still be done. Do I want to sit back and play a back burner, passive, and stagnate role in the Kingdom? Absolutely not! I refuse to do that. Although if I were to say, “no” He can and will use someone else to go to the nations. He does in fact tell His people to “GO”, meaning everywhere you go is an opportunity to love, share the Gospel, and make disciples. This goes back to my previous blog where I repeatedly state, “life is ministry and ministry is life”. Acknowledging that I get to play a key role in the Kingdom has been crucial. It is such a privilege. Going to the local Nepali church drove that home. What a blessing my life is. Had I never stepped foot in Nepal, that church, those believers, and these radical Nepali lovers of Jesus would still be here spreading the Gospel and doing good.
The reality is, God is sovereign, He will use anyone who is willing to say, “YES”. He has placed a burning passion inside of me to be loved and share an expression of that. He is faithful to finish every single promise. Faithful You are, and faithful forever You will be. One day in Your presence is better than a thousand elsewhere. I promise to keep pursing after You, Jesus. I love playing an active role in Your Kingdom. I love that you have chosen me to be a vessel. I won’t stop till the whole Earth looks like Heaven. Are you hungry? Hungry for more of who He says you are? Hungry for a church that isn’t confined by 4 walls? Hungry for the lost to be reached and lives changed for eternity? Thank you for showing me more of Your people and how they will do whatever it takes to love, and give You glory. Thank you for letting us have full access to Heaven. I love You, You’re rad!
~written in love by your local gypsy
