Hey my people! This update is long overdue. Bluntly put, the mission trip I was going on to the Philippines with World Race:Semesters was cancelled due to Covid-19. The past months and weeks have been a whirlwind, as I know they have been for everyone. If you will, lend me the opportunity to share with you a peak into my heart and upcoming plans!
Last fall, I very clearly felt the Lord orchestrating and leading me towards this summer semester trip to the Philippines. It was practically perfect. The Lord had literally placed this opportunity in my lap. It was a medical mission trip, which was definitely meant to be since I am studying nursing. God gave me so much peace in regards to the entire trip. I just knew this was God’s plan for me. Fast forward to March 2020. Who am I to believe that I know and comprehend the Lord’s plan?
This trip is the third major life event this year that has followed this pattern. The Lord opens a door, after prayerful consideration I say yes, the Lord closes the door. Why would God open a door simply to close it? This pattern has left me feeling frustrated, confused, and doubtful of my ability to interpret the voice of God. Did God open those doors at all? Was I pushing my own, personal agenda and claiming the Lord was orchestrating something He wasn’t? After months of pondering these questions the Lord has begun revealing to me that I have failed to comprehend a foundational concept. God has a plan and purpose that encompasses my entire life, your entire life, the entire universe; forever. The Lord operates from this plan. His plan. I am not the plan. The opportunities and circumstances that do or do not work for me are not the plan. Our God is so incomprehensibly bigger than that. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” We were created to live our life with purpose. God’s purpose. It’s not my life, it’s His.
As I sit here in the driver seat of my car smelling the day old McDonald’s food I have yet to toss, I imagine the idea of an overall plan. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” God’s redirection has forced something out of my hands that I hoped to keep. I feel God stripping me of the comfort of knowing His plan. My desire for control is consuming. It must be surrendered, for it is not mine.
These experiences are humbling me. They are demanding surrenderance. This life is not about me. This life is about accomplishing the Lord’s plan. A plan that we already know the end of the story to. Our God is the King of the World and will reign for all eternity. Whatever occurs of my life will be God’s plan, but that is different from the preconceived plan I think God has for me. My desire is to be a woman that is open-handedly ready for God’s perfect will. I do not grasp or comprehend God’s intricate plan, but I trust it. I trust a God who loves me enough to sacrifice His son’s life for mine.
Adventures in Missions cancelled all international summer trips, which includes the Philippines trip I was committed to. Adventures in Missions provided several different options and alternatives for me as a participant. From the beginning, I have felt a deep passion to go on World Race 11n11; however, I had decided on a short-term trip for now and told myself I would pray more about 11n11 after graduating nursing school. My advisor with Adventures in Missions knew of this long-term plan and approached me and asked my thoughts about deferring this cancelled semester trip to a 11n11 trip. After much prayer, I am THRILLED to officially announce that I will be leaving on an 11 month mission trip that will travel to 11 different countries in August of 2021! Right now, the plan is to take next year as a gap year traveling the world sharing the gospel and love Christ has so victoriously and graciously given. If you will, please considering supporting this journey the Lord is placing before me. I am in awe of my Savior and His perfect plan. To God be the glory. Stay vigilant friends!
-grace
