What held me back from answering His call… fear. Have you seen the news lately? Seen what is happening to Christians around the world? Persecution is present, real and lived out through a number of ways. I was scared, actually extremely terrified to suffer horrendous deaths and tortures at the hands of radicals. For sharing the love of Jesus in other countries where persecution of Christians is present. Yet my youth group went to The Voice of the Martyrs conference, in October. I knew for certain God was going to speak to me through that conference. I had been debating whether or not to sign up for the World Race, thinking God is this what you’re really calling me to do? And afterwards are you really calling me to do overseas missionary work?
“God doesn’t call the equipped but He equips the called”, in the words of my Youth Pastor Tim. Moses had a speech impediment( and gave excuses as to why he couldn’t answer Gods call), Isaiah was a man of unclean lips, at least four of the disciples were fishermen, Matthew was a tax collector, Paul, formerly Saul, persecuted Christians. There are many more cases like this in the Bible where God uses people and reveals Himself in different and unusual ways than how we think He should respond, act, and who He should call to do the work. I’ve never been out of the country, I’ve been on a plane twice, don’t even have a passport, yet. I’m ordinary yet God is extraordinary. I’m incapable but He is capable. Often we disqualify ourselves because we think we aren’t good enough or qualified enough to do the work. My own perspective and this lie that we can’t is completely false because though we can’t, God can. God can and does and will use anybody He wants, God equips us for the calling and purpose He wants us to fulfill.
I was scared to suffer yet hearing the testimonies of our brothers and sisters around the world suffering persecution for their faith, I had such a peace. God was unveiling my eyes and taking the fear from my heart. That night after the conference I got home, I knew for certain God wanted me to go on the World Race Gap Year mission trip. Well actually I really wanted to do the World Race eleven countries in eleven months trip but I’m not old enough. I know God will use this trip to touch thousands of lives, and shape my team and I for the purpose we were created.
We will share hope to the hopeful, give them water in which they’ll never thirst again (John 4:14), give them peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:17), heal the sick, raise the dead, cast of demons (Matthew 10:8), proclaim liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61:1), all of which are done through Jesus Christ our Lord. He has given us this power and authority through His name that He may be glorified through it all. We will take part in fulfilling the Great Commission, which was His last commandment before He ascended, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
So am I scared? Not anymore. Am I afraid? Not at all. Ready for all the plans Jesus has for the lives of all we will come in contact with? You can bet on it. “For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s”(Romans 14:7-8). “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”(Galatians 2:20).
I surrender to God’s will, where He leads me I will follow.
