I like to do this thing when I pray. I’m not really sure when or why I started doing it. But, I do know that it’s become a way of life for me and decisions I make.
I put my palms up.
Both hands. Held out. As if I’m receiving something. I don’t do it to look “religious” or “extra spiritual”, but I believe it puts my mind and heart in a state of abandon, honor, and simplicity.
I don’t know about you, but I have a lot of dreams. Big ones. Dreams and passions that Jesus has placed inside me and delights when I tap into them. Dreams that don’t really make a whole lot of sense and are going to take a lot of hard work to reach them.
I know that dreams only become reality when our palms are up- listening to the Holy Spirit and following Him wherever He’s running. Abandoning all fears, shame, and questions that hinder us from where Jesus wants to take us.
If I’m being honest, traveling the world and being a missionary was never a dream of mine. I was content in Ohio, heading to college, and living the life I always lived. Of course, leaving the country and meeting new people sounded cool, but “that wasn’t for me, it was for other people”. I now know that Jesus knows a lot more about me than I do. So in blind faith, I put my palms up, listened to God’s command that gently said “go”, and jumped fully in without questions.
A year later and there’s a fire burning in my soul for the nations and the people within them. My heart was made for this and I’m forever changed by getting to be a part of it.
Now that this season of the Race is ending, I’ve had to put my palms up again and trust the voice of the Lord.
If you know me, you know that I’m not much of a planner. I have a confidence and trust in the Lord that I’m proud of because it took me a long time to get here. Control is not something I hold on to. And I think that’s because I’ve seen Jesus hold His promises in my life and I’ve seen the beauty that comes from trust Him with my whole life.
That was a huge gift for me during this season. I came onto the Race having no clue what I was doing after the 9 months. But, I had full confidence the Lord would show me in a very clear way.
I’m very blessed to be a woman who lives in the United States. It’s a life full of opportunities that many take for granted. I want to do good with it. After being surrounded by women in Ecuador, India, and Zambia who are just as deserving, if not more deserving than me, of a life of opportunity I want to soak it all up and life it all for the glory of the Lord.
On June 30th, I step back onto American soil. The Lord has given me very clear instructions for the next year and I would love to invite you into it.
There are a few words that Jesus highlighted for the upcoming season of home.
RELATIONSHIPS / SOLIDIFYING / AVAILABILITY
I will be living at home with my family and focusing on them. I’m super excited to be growing deep roots of love in my home as a family and individual relationships.
I will be working somewhere I can be building relationships and sharing the love of Jesus. I’m not sure where exactly yet, but it’s been a prayer that the Lord is already setting it up and it will be very clear when I get home.
I want to be living a very available and interruptible life. I want to be finding ministry everywhere I go and say “yes” to Jesus and people at all times. There’s power in availability and I want to see Jesus work in that empty space.
The Lord spoke that this is a season that is solidifying all that He’s done in me the past 9 months. Allowing it to take root deep within me and getting me ready for something big.
I know that God is ahead of me and that He can add and take away from this list, but this is what I heard Him speak and this is what I’m chasing until He gives me another road to take. It involves a lot of trust, but that’s where true dependence on the Father is found.
The idea of coming home has always been a big fear for me, but through these words, I have been given a lot of peace. I’m excited for what’s to come, but some days I’m filled with deep sadness. It’s a roller coaster, but I’m excited to be a part of all God is doing in Columbus and I know that God is good in it all.
All I know is my palms are up and this is the path where dreams become reality and Kingdom comes. I become less and He becomes more. I am ready.
“[Abraham] did not tiptoe around God’s promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what He had said”
Romans 4:20-21 (MSG)
