Much of life seems to be a constant transition from what was to what is coming…from grade school to high school to college to the working world (which entails a lot of changes for most people), to someday marriage and family. I can see how where I currently am is always preparing me for what is coming next, whether I realize what that next thing might be or not.
In a sense then, I guess I prepare for what is next by just living and experiencing where I currently am. When I look back, I can always see how God has used my past situations to prepare me for the next ones.
“I took the road less traveled, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost
This has been a quote that has really stood out to me and that I have often thought of when I’m at a point of decision. There’s often the easier, common way or there’s the more difficult, less traveled path. Thinking about this helps me to rise to the challenge and step out into what may seem like the unknown, but the courage comes from knowing that Jesus is always by my side. It’s really crazy to think about how one choice has such a profound effect on the next and so on.
Whenever facing a change, there is often opposition in some form. Oppositions I have faced related to this upcoming year are as follows: questions of “Why are you leaving a great job and financial security?” “Don’t you want to settle down and start a family?” “Don’t you know you are going to unsafe areas and could get really sick or even be killed?” “Do you really want to give up all of your comforts and go without…?” “People here need help and to know about Jesus too, so why do you have to go overseas?” These questions come both from myself and others. There are valid points in all of these “arguments,” so I have to address them, as well as know for sure that I am called and why I am going. I believe part of being prepared is being aware opposition will come and preparing for it.
Launching in to this next year, preparation has been first of all spiritual. Lots of prayer, studying faith, throwing off any chains that might hold me back from being all there, making sure I have a strong spiritual covering of friends and family praying and supporting, and armoring myself daily with all the spiritual armor God provides for us in Eph.6. Practically there is so much to do to be ready to travel all over the world, live out of a bag for a year, have finances back home all ready and available to use overseas, etc. Emotionally there is saying farewells, spending quality time with people, and having a means of communication established. Mental preparation is having a positive attitude despite whatever comes, knowing what my expectations are but realizing that things often aren’t as I planned, and having goals to work toward. Journaling is also a huge way I prepare as well as keep track of the whole process. Knowing that God is leading me helps me to step out in confidence and not be afraid to do something out of the ordinary. God calls each of us to different places and at different times in order to accomplish His purposes, He needs people all around the world.
Changes can be good- they keep us growing, evaluating, stretching, and moving forward. Changes also come whether we are prepared or not. There is probably always more preparation that can be done, but at some point I know I need to just take that first step. After that step is when things seem to really start falling in to place, or else I am redirected. As far as the world race goes, God has confirmed it to me numerous times and everything is falling in to place.
