I’m only afraid of one thing this year. & it was assigned to me & my team as part of our first ministry on our first month for the Race lol (classic God move).
So, clearly month one of the Race in Indonesia will be all about smashing fear off my life, stepping into greater levels of freedom, & stepping into the fulfilment of a prophetic word that was prophesied over me in twenty eighteen at a youth camp.
Our first month of my Race, my team & I will be based in West Java in Indonesia (we leave in two days!). Our ministry will most likely revolve around teaching English to young adults in a chilled, hang out vibe type of environment, establishing relationships with locals & students, helping with anti-trafficking ministries, & the potential for other ministry opportunities to arise whilst we’re there too.
Those who know me know that my heart is LIT UP with fire for authentic discipleship & building genuine relationships, especially with youth & young adults- so this makes my heart very happy that our ministry will most likely encompass this. But, the only one ministry I’m afraid of is teaching English…which we’ll be doing month one of the Race. *insert face of fear, yet simultaneously knowing Abba is all over it*
In July twenty eighteen, David Wagner (he’s an known prophet) prophesied one of the most life changing & life altering prophetic words over my life. A lot was covered within it, but a tiny section of it revolved around the gift of supernatural languages & teaching English- see below:
“…I feel like you’re going to have this love of languages, & this amazing gift to communicate the heart of God, through creativity…& Lord I thank you for the gift of languages. I even feel like supernaturally you’re going to learn other languages, or teach people English, who know no other languages. Because you’ve got a gift that most people don’t ask for– you have the gift of patience. You’re so patient with other people…you have an amazing patience to just meet people where they are, & trek along & do life with them…”
Ironic, lol. & I clearly remember receiving that word as though it was yesterday. & can still feel myself feel uncertain back in twenty eighteen when I received it, even though the whole prophetic word changed my life & was super accurate haha. Even back when that was spoken over me, I was afraid of thinking about teaching English to others as a way of building relationships on the mission field for my future.
There’s a few reasons why I am afraid of teaching English. Some of them are simple & stupid. Whilst some of them hit a spot in my heart where I know Abba will most likely lead me to greater freedom & victory in my life as I step into teaching English in two days when we land in Indonesia.
Personally, I feel as though I am stepping into a ‘weak moment’ to start my year long mission trip. But, it’s a weak moment where I know the only way to push through my emotions & feelings in the flesh is to depend on Abba & His strength. Best part? He promises that to us. When we are weak or feel weak, Abba promises that He is strong (2 Cor. 12:9-10). The Passion Translation literally puts the last part of v.10 as ‘…for my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.’
Everything for me in my current season of life comes down to a shift of perspective, & Abba has been teaching me a lot through it. This again is one of those moments. I can either hold the perspective that fear can be the dominating feeling in my life regarding this. OR I can shift my perspective to see this as an opportunity where this moment can become a turning point where I step into the portal of Abba’s power, aligning myself with His strength.
I’ve also recently been reading Philippians whilst being in the USA for launch. & reflecting on Philippians 1:27-28 has got me thinking a lot about fear & authority. v28 in a nutshell states that when we are not alarmed by our opponents & choose to adopt the perspective opposite to fear, it’s a sign of destruction for the enemy. The enemy is literally reminded he is doomed as soon as our perspective shifts & turns towards Abba, His power & strength, knowing we are standing firm in one Spirit & in victory.
So, thoughts for yourself: what are the weak points in your life that you can shift your perspective around so you can align yourself to step into the portal of Abba’s power & His strength? Would you be willing to adopt the perspective opposite to your emotions in the flesh & instead stand firm in the Spirit & Jesus’ victory?
We will always face hard things. We will always face things that remind us we need to be brave & courageous. We will always face things that will hit different aspects of our hearts, which sometimes opens us up to step into further levels of freedom, victory, & healing. But, ultimately our heart posture & our perspective determines the outcome of the situation we are faced with.
We can partner with fear, or we can have an expectancy that Abba will show up & rewrite what may be impacting our heart. Ultimately tough & hard situations may be an opportunity to an upgrade with which we can step into freedom & victory in new & deep transformative ways. It’s always about perspective & what it’s focused on. & I hope that never changes.
– em
UPDATE!
I am just over 74% funded (US$14,269) for next year! I only have US$4931 left to fundraise, & I leave for Indonesia in two days!
Points for those journeying w me in prayer!
: joy, rest, & greater measure of wisdom for the final days of launch (I’m currently in the USA for further training before we fly to Indo)
: unity with my team mates, squad family & leadership team for this year
: prayer for open hearts, intentional conversations, & relationships to sprout now, during launch, & for those we will be building relationships with whilst on the field
: that although I am still fundraising, I will be fully present whilst on the mission field
