What do you
do when God has a call on your life?
I’ve found
the best route is to let go and enjoy the ride. He has taken me on
some pretty incredible adventures. I’ve lived two summers in San
Diego, worked for a large corporation, traveled the world to 12
different countries on 4 different continents, and now I am living in
little known Gainesville, Ga.
One might
think that living in Gainesville, my adventures would be over for a
time. However, that is not the case.
If you read
my last update blog, you heard I am getting mentored under Seth
Barnes. Seth is extremely passionate about raising up young men and women and sending them into their callings. I knew that I was
coming here to be developed, but I had no idea how much this internship
might launch me into my future. Let me try to explain…
Three years
ago I heard a sermon about Christians serving God through politics.
As I listened to those words, something in my Spirit stirred. I was
reminded of my namesake “Daniel” in the Bible. A man who God
raised up in government to accomplish His purposes. The thought
that I had found my calling began to drift through my mind.
Then, in
the last three years, I took no major strides towards that calling.
God had me patiently waiting on His timing. I graduated college with
a degree in economics, and then God called me to the World Race (with
a stint in between working for Campus Crusade for Christ). That
calling seemed to be drifting away.
Flash
forward three weeks ago, and I am in a meeting with one of Seth’s
friends. An extremely connected man, who is also extremely
passionate about free market economics. Ten minutes after conversing
with me, ten minutes, we had this conversation.
Man – “You
want to get involved in public policy? *not pausing for a response*
You believe in free market economics? Then you have to go to this
conference in Buenos Ares. It will change your life.”
Me – “uhhh,
okay. Cool.”
Man – “Can
you support raise?”
Me –
“Umm…yeah. I mean I guess. I am right now for this job.”
Man – “You
have to go to this conference. It will absolutely change your life.
I’ll give you $500 right now.”
My jaw
rested on the floor, stunned by what was currently happening. For
one of those few times in my life, I was speechless.
Then
another gentleman, whom I met only hours before chimed in,
Man #2 –
“I’ll give you $500 too!”
Then even
my peers began to pitch in. After ten minutes, I had raised $1250
without being able to say a word.
Like I
said, what do you do when God has a call on your life? What do you
do when He pours out favor in immense proportions?
I simply
try to steward these gifts as best I can. I feel plenty inadequate,
which only makes me rely on Him so much more.
So currently I am in Buenos Aires about to attend the very prestigious Mont Pelerin Society’s Regional Conference, and will meet some of the brightest minds in economics. Even a few Nobel Prize winners!
The total
cost of this trip is $3000 and I want to invite all of you to
come and join me on this adventure. I feel this divine covering over
me, almost as if God is saying,
“Be
ready, this trip will provide the foundation for what I have in store
for you.”
I would
love it if you financially supported me on this trip. So many of you
have invested in me so much over the last few years, and I am so
appreciative. I pray that you have been blessed in your investments,
and that this would be another opportunity for you to receive even
more blessings.
I would
also love it if you covered this trip in prayer. I will be mingling
with people a bit over my intellectual pay grade, if you know what I
mean, and I have a feeling I will need God’s divine inspiration…
“And
when they bring you before the rulers and the authorities, do not be
anxious about what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you
in that very hour what you ought to say.” ~ Luke 12:11-12
Hey,
maybe it will work for economics too!
If
you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I will write you
from Buenos Ares as I just landed this morning!
Click here to support me financially! https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=staff&desc=Daniel%20Stinson
The view outside my hotel window in Buenos Aires!
P.S.
A a further confirmation of God’s plans for my life, I was recently
one of the 12 students accepted into the John
Jay Institute of Faith, Society, and Law. It is a program for
Christians who want to serve God through public service and
government.
Yeah,
God has been pouring it on lately…I’ll fill you in on even more
when I get back in a week.
