We were asked to write a blog about how we felt before leaving on this mission trip. Here is what I am expecting…
I am really excited and thankful for this amazing opportunity that the Lord has given me. I am confident that it will rock my world. I have many expectations about this World Race.
I expect that God is going to first and foremost stretch me in ways that I didn’t know I could stretch. He has already begun to stretch my faith in many ways such as: raising support for this trip, teaching me He is always enough, and humbling me before Him. It is truly encouraging that He is currently stretching me in ways only months ago I was expecting to experience once my trip began.
I expect to experience so many things over the next year that will both brake me and strengthen me. I expect to be involved in ministry all over the world that will prepare and equip me for my future in ministry. No matter where the Lord leads me, I am certain the experience gained through this trip will shape me and mold me in His likeness. I expect to experience joy and pain like never before. I expect to experience both encouragement from the Lord and discouragement from Satan like I have never felt. I expect to experience God in His true beauty, yet I also expect to experience the ugliness of the enemy.
I expect the Lord to open my eyes to what He sees. I yearn for His perspective and for His eyes. I expect to see people, places, and pain in these countries that will change my life. I want God’s perspective on the world not just America. I want to gain perspective to go beyond my life or my world. Brandon Heath’s song “Give me your eyes” is a great example of the perspective I want on the world. (you should listen to it)
I expect to grow in beautiful intimacy with my Lord and Savior. I know that intimacy includes success, failure, communication, vulnerability, transparency, faith, trust, and hope. Through certain highs and lows over the next year, I expect to grow deeper and more personal with God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I want to know God more. I want to hunger for His Word. I want to truly know how to offer my life as a living sacrifice to Him. I want Him to tear down the walls I’ve built in my heart and in my life that keep me from that intimacy. I want to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
I expect to take up my cross daily.
Luke 9:23-24 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.
