Sometimes in life God comes in wrecks our plans. As of October my plan was to lead a group of college students on a three month mission trip to Zambia, however due to physical conditions I will no longer be going to Africa. I am fine, there is no need to worry but that is all I am going to say on that because God is doing something so much bigger!
After discovering I would no longer be leading, I was mad at God. I didn’t understand what the point of me being asked to lead in January and being fully funded was if he was just going to take it away from me. This past week I attended Project Searchlight, a 5 day seminar for all of the World Race squads who launched in January 2014. To be honest I didn’t want to go and face my squad and break the news. I am so thankful I did. God completely changed my heart and opened my eyes.
God’s promises for our lives are not always intended for the present. You see, the Creator of Heaven and Earth is not limited to our human time line.
I 100% believe that God called me to lead a Passport trip in January 2015, but I also know He called me to stay home. How can that be? You see, sometimes God calls us somewhere and once we get there He calls us somewhere else. Why would He do that? For me, my journey was in the process. I knew that God was calling me to lead a trip and although I didn’t really want to; I said yes. Then after I invested and grew excited to lead I had to make the decision to stay. As followers of Christ Jesus, we are called to walk in daily obedience.
God never promised that following Him was going to be easy but He did promise it would be more than worth it! The hardest part of not leading was the idea of letting down my supporters, followers, the girls I was going to be leading, my co-leader, and Adventures in Missions. I was so caught up in disappointing people or what they may think that I forgot what was really important; what God thinks. God did not intend us to fear man.
The next struggle was, well shoot what am I going to do now? God revealed that I had been basing my relationship with him on my works. Service is wonderful and very important but not at the cost of losing devotion to Jesus. I didn’t realize how much going and doing took God’s place in my heart until I was looking for jobs and places to volunteer. As I searched, I felt insignificant. It hit me…
My identity does not come from what I do. My identity comes from my Heavenly Father. Being a missionary is what I do, but who I am is a daughter of Jesus Christ.
You see there is nothing you can do to make God love you anymore or any less! You do not have to earn His love, it is freely given to you!
Again not easy… but God is calling me into deep waters. For me, serving on a mission trip and being surrounded by a community who believe in the same God I do is my green pastures. Right now home is my waves. God is leading me to a season of waiting on Him to move rather than taking my life into my own hands. I know how to serve but when it comes to being still I fall short. I know this chapter is going to be hard but oh so beautiful. I have never had a season like this before and I am excited to go deeper with the Lord and have to really fight for intimacy with him. Our Heavenly Father is jealous for us, He wants to pursue us! How crazy is that, the God of the universe is jealous for us!
My eyes have been open, not only am I passionate about working with the college-aged generation but I can be good at it because God is my equipper. I knew before this process that I was good and passionate with kids but I had no idea how much my heart is for young adults. God has blessed me with a group of 7 new young women that I get to be an intercessor for and support them through prayer. I get to be a part of their journey in a whole new way. Just because I am not leading in this season of my life doesn’t mean God won’t present me with the opportunity to later. God often plants passions in us that are intended to be grown and fruitful later in life.
Even though I am no longer on the international missions field does not mean my journey is over. No, in fact it is just beginning! God is bringing me out of one glory to another glory. The World Race was not my greatest adventure it was a stepping stone. God has so much more in store. For life is a mission field! If we want to bring Jesus to the world, all we have to do is show them Him by being more like Him!
My eager desire and hope being that I may never feel ashamed, but that now as ever I may do honor to Christ in my own person by fearless courage.”
Philippians 1:20 (MOFFAT)
A neat story….
While I was fighting with God to go to Africa when He was calling me to stay another girl was fighting Him to stay when He was calling her to go. Although I knew that it was not an option to travel to Africa when I left my home in Colorado, I felt like I still needed to pack my bag for Africa. The other girl although short notice said yes to the Lords call. I had all the supplies one would need for Africa and she had nothing. The Lord used me to bless her with all of my gear. Tears flooded down her face as she told me moments before the Lord revealed He would provide and then I walked in. We were able to share stories and pray over each other for hours. God once again brought another sister into my life.
Thank You!!!
To the generous soul who made an anonymous donation, your gift will not be wasted. I will be able to use the funds for future missions if that is where the Lord brings me. If not I; the money will go to serve those in need all around the world. Your generosity and kindness is so appreciated! I hope you are able to understand.
Love,
Danielle
