Recently I’ve been thinking about why I decided to sign up for the World Race. It wasn’t because I felt a specific calling, and while I believe God does call certain people to certain places, I think more than often he gives us a choice.
God leads us in different ways throughout our lives, but our purpose remains the same: to glorify him and make disciples of all nations. I believe that God’s will is spoken very clearly throughout the Bible, however, it doesn’t focus on what we should be doing, but how we should be living. 1 Thessalonians 4 states that God’s will for us is to be sanctified and set apart, avoiding sexual immorality, practicing self-control, living a holy life, and loving each other. Chapter 5 continues, commanding us to live in peace with one another, to be patient and kind, always joyful, to give thanks in all circumstances, and to pray without ceasing.
Sometimes we focus too much on waiting for God to give us a specific calling, answer, or sign, but I believe that if we’re putting our best effort into living as his will calls us to, and our hearts are right with him, then he will honor whatever decision we make, as long as it’s glorifying to him. There will be times when he does place specific callings on certain areas of our lives, and during those periods we must trust that God will make himself abundantly clear to us.
As far as my decision to join the World Race, I honestly just had a deep desire to spread God’s love throughout the world, particularly in places I’d never been. I remember the first time I considered the possibility of going on the Race, and how excited and passionate I felt about spending nine months overseas away from my routine, family, friends, and first world problems. Besides sharing Jesus and growing closer to him, the thing I hope to gain most over the Race is perspective. To live and grow in different cultures and to truly understand the privileges of education, employment, family, and even just living in America.
Missions are important for several reasons, but primarily because God commands it. As Christians, we are called to missions wherever we are in whatever we do. The Great Commission doesn’t apply just to those working overseas, but to every individual who has accepted Jesus as his/her Lord and Savior.
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, so don’t wait for a detailed call or a meticulous sign. If you have the desire to serve then God will take care of the rest. When we delight ourselves in the Lord and live according to his will we begin to desire what is good and holy, and God wants to grant those desires in our hearts.
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15
