Hello you lovely subscribers, supporters, or just simply readers. Wonderful news. Swaziland is getting rain. A pretty good amount. This is SO good. Secondly, I never thought I would be cold in Africa, but here I am, sitting on my sleeping pad in elephant pants, a crew neck, and a beanie drinking hot tea.
Anyways. This is on my heart. It’s been on my heart. Some will understand. Some will have their eyes opened to the truth. And some just aren’t unveiled to the truth of this matter…and won’t ever be. But, I want my God to be understood for who He is, His mission, and to be glorified the way that He should be.
The topic is the mission of God. Throughout this journey, or my walk with Christ in general, I’ve wrestled a lot with feeling inadequate and as if I have no effect. I’ve thought, “should I even do the World Race?” I mean, I’m truly just raising $17,000 to travel, to find myself, to feed into poverty overseas, to bring bottled water to the poor and take pictures for Instagram, right?
WRONG. SO dear baby Jesus in heaven wrong. So wrong that I’ll shatter my iPhone on the ground & never use Instagram again wrong. Before I get into this topic, I want to thank the Lord for: 1.) bringing me out of a life literally leading me to eternal death and hopelessness without Him–full of drugs, boys, alcohol, parties, depression, etc. and filling it with eternal JOY/showing me mercy that I can’t even begin to understand. Truth be told, I didn’t just choose to stop living the way I previously was for kicks and giggles. Or choose to stop in general. It was regeneration of the soul by something so powerful and good that could only be a super natural being. AKA the creator of something as powerful and good as the Heavens and earth. AKA God. 2. helping me understand the purpose of His mission. and 3. growing in me an insane reverential awe of Him because He’s literally God and He deserves us on our face, praising Him constantly. He is more satisfying than anything we could ever know.
The best way I could sum up the mission of God is: it’s for His glory. The answer to any question you could ever have is: “for His glory.” I mean, we are literally on this earth to glorify God! I do believe third world countries need jobs, an economy build up, and better, bigger things. BUT we must understand that it starts with God. Us believers are the salt and light of this earth. We are called to go and tell the good news that we know is true, to all of the nations because we love people. Because Christ loves people and we know of this love that is O so sweet. We are called to every nation. So, no, I don’t think missionaries should be bound to certain countries only. I don’t know my calling yet, but if it’s to the Middle East- then I would be through the roof ecstatic. I’m not going to say no to where God is calling me because “it’s too dangerous there.” Someone HAS to tell them the news of Jesus too. Mission trips are not solely bringing water or physical needs to a poverty stricken country. If you think that, you’ve been fed a lie. As a matter of fact, a mission trip that solely meets physical needs is almost pointless in my eyes. It’s about leaving these people with HOPE. The only hope that can save them for eternity. The news that Jesus died on the cross-yes, for the righteousness of God-but also TO SAVE THEM. Because He loved, and loves, us that much!!!
The mission of God is NOT needed more in areas where there is more poverty. I spent a very short amount of time in Qatar before arriving in Swaziland. It is the second richest country in the world (if i’m not mistaken’) and OOOO so badly do they need to know the love of Christ, instead of the falsehood of the items and possessions that they own.
So many times I’ve heard, “just send your fundraised money to the country instead of going……….”
Not every country that needs to know the love of Christ needs money. Along with the fact that money will never do ANYTHING for us in the light of eternity. “Us” as in: any living human on this earth. If I am starving here on this earth, if I have no shelter, but I have the gift of salvation, let me SING with joy and praise because I have the greatest gift that could ever be presented to me. Don’t get me wrong. I hurt badly for these people. I don’t understand how they feel. I try to. I love them. I talk S’swati the best I can with them. I constantly wipe boogers out of the noses of sick, little babies. I don’t get why I am sooo blessed beyond measures. I understand though, that if our flesh doesn’t have it’s needs in this life, but our soul knows it’s savior, then we are SET…more than set, for eternity. David Platt says it so beautifully. “We don’t want to only give clean water to starving people while they’re on their way to hell. We want to give clean water around the world while we tell people about the God who’s the defender of the weak and the savior of our souls forever.”
Obedience it next. I so badly want to be obedient to my God. Grow closer and closer to Him. Learn more about him. Mirror Christ. Love the world like He loves them. Today I spent about 5 hours painting a building. Sometimes it was hard to feel like what I was doing was important, but I know I was there for a reason. I know I was being obedient, and the Lord blesses our obedience. He can make any little thing we do, as fruitful as He wants. It’s His call. Not mine. When I saw our care point shepherd excited to join in and be able to paint with us, I was so reassured. We are able to show the kids and locals in the town that we want to serve and love them without receiving anything in return. Then, we are able to point the glory back to Christ when they wonder why we want to serve them. Even if it is just painting a building.
I serve and live on mission in America or overseas because my God calls me to. He calls us to because His one and only son was beaten, crushed, and mocked on a cross to die for us. Yet death did not defeat Him. He overcame the grave so that we could live eternally too, in Heaven with God. Why would I want to keep this news a secret!?!!?!!?
We don’t even deserve His love, but He still loves us more than anything. I want to serve Him and advance His Kingdom that I will one day join. I mean think about heaven for a sec. Different people of every race, nation, background, etc. will be there. THATS HYPE! That makes me want to tell EVERYONE about Jesus. Shoot that’s just a bigger family up in heaven. More brothas and sistas.
And that’s why I’m on this “mission trip.”
Okay, sorry this is so long and I’m leaving out many more points that justify our calling by God. Even though it doesn’t need justification. If you don’t agree, I’d love to pray for you and give you scripture backing each of these (if I get free time.) But for now. Love you all dearly–regardless of your beliefs! Please continue to pray for my squad, the people of Swazi, and the people of Lesotho, as we transition there in about 2 weeks.
~Annie
