As September approaches, the Lord is constantly equipping me and preparing me for what He has called me to do.
One sweet Sunday this past month, in the midst of the busy holiday season, I found myself at North Ridge Community Church in Johnson City with my family. On that Sunday, the speaker spoke on the topic of faith being personal, but not private. Towards the end of the sermon, we arrived on the subject of serving the Lord and a few questions were brought about. When we serve, are we showing God or are we just being nice? And, when we do these things, whose GLORY is it for?
I sat in my seat taking these words in, and I thought to myself, “Why am I truly doing the World Race? Who am I doing this for?” Keep in mind, I got accepted to the race four months ago. It might be a little late to be asking myself these kinds of questions… but in them I found nothing but clarity and peace.
This past year, I knew I felt the Lord calling me to do the race, but honestly, I had never truly questioned why. I thought about everything I heard in church this morning, everything I had experienced, and my relationship with the Lord and told myself: I am doing this because the Lord called me to grow His Kingdom and spread the good news. I am doing the race to GLORIFY my Father in heaven. The Lord has brought endless joy into my life. I am going out into the world to share the gospel, so that others may experience the same joy in their lives that God has brought into mine.
Matthew 5:16
“…Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
I think it is easy to get caught up in the big, grand scheme of things and forget the true purpose of this journey. This journey is not about me. It’s not about my love for traveling. The Lord is simply using these things for the true purpose of this trip. This isn’t a journey that will be comfortable, or easy. But, it will be overwhelmingly worth it. I will get to see and experience amazing wonders of the world, but in no way does that cloud or cover the true meaning of my 9 months on the field.
I pray that this year, 2018, and each year forward, on the field or not, that I remember the true mission: To know God and to make Him known.
Thank you so much to everyone who has been supporting me. Please continue to pray for me, my squad mates, and the people of Guatemala, Thailand, Malaysia, and Swaziland.
Ephesians 6:18-20
“…Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.“
so much love
– haven
