when i was new to my faith, fresh into my first church and youth group, i remember hearing someone say to pray for God to break your heart for what breaks His. something that they failed to mention was that this was going to look different for everyone due to the nature of their calling. i remember a close friend of mine telling me when i was struggling returning from a trip to Haiti, that not everyone’s hearts are burdened for the same things yours is. which means that not everyone will understand why you’re doing what you’re doing, but guess what? our Creator knows.
i can vividly remember praying that prayer for weeks. waiting to see how God was going to break my heart. one night, i remember Him laying Mark 16:15 on my heart…”Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.” i was confused. i had been sharing my faith with my friends and family. everyone that knew me knew that i had given my life to Jesus and at any chance i had, i was sharing what He had done for me with anyone i could. this isn’t what He meant that night. i continued praying; for clarity, for understanding, for what He was trying to speak to me. then i realized…”TO EVERYONE IN THE WORLD.” as i continued praying, i had realized that the Lord was breaking my heart for all of the unreached people in the world. if you’ve been keeping up with my posts, you’d know that over the course of the 11 months i’m on the race, 7 of the 11 countries i will be visiting are in the 10/40 window and are considered unreached. only 3% of missionaries are going into the unreached and unchurched areas of the world. 3%. this wrecks me. the countries i’m going to are in dire need of our Savior. knowing that i am called to be one of those missionaries going to reach those who need it most, blows my mind.
when i prayed that prayer…”God, break my heart for what breaks yours.” i never expected that He would break my heart for all of the countries around the world who are in need of a relationship with Jesus. if you would’ve told me at age 15 that i would be following Jesus AND be a missionary, i would’ve laughed at you. it’s absolutely incredible how God works, and it’s even more incredible that He has different plans for each and every one of us even when we can’t see it yet.
i’m praying that i will steward them time, resources and investment for His glory. i love you all. xoxoxo
