Missionary. Frankly I have been hearing that word all of my life. From my first time in GA’s all the way up to college. At the young age of seven, God placed missions in my heart. Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every living creature”, was the very first verse I memorized. I thought it was the coolest thing to hear the stories of missionaries in far away countries seeing the world and telling people about the love of Christ at the same time. As I grew older, that term missionary started to scare me. I was scared of moving away from family and friends. Scared to leave the luxuries we grow so accustomed to here in America. I grew content in settling for this life. As I dreamed of what I would do one day, the job of a missionary slowly left my mind.
It was not until I was 16 that God really started to work on my heart. He was calling me into fulltime ministry and I had no idea at the time what that meant. As I graduated high school, I looked for colleges which would support my decision to major in Christian studies. God lead me to North Greenville University. God has a funny way of working things out because the only 2 ministry options were Christian studies or a missions major. Well a friend recommended I major in missions, because there are hardly ever any girls who major in Christian Studies. I did not want to be the only girl, in class filled with boys. Ok God, I get the hint…I know you want me to major in Missions so I did. And it has been one of the best decisions. I have learned so much from my classes there lessons which I will keep with me for a lifetime. But still, me and my stubborn self was not willing to commit to long term missionary status. I loved going on short term trips here and there, where I could come back home after a week or two. I was still too scared to commit my whole life to the purpose God has for me. At North Greenville, I found out about the World Race. It sounded like the opportunity of a lifetime. Still the selfish side of me started thinking, a year is a really long time, if only it was a month or 3 months at least I would go, but a year?? God I cannot leave for a year, I continued to tell myself this. And ultimately, I ended up saying no to the World Race and to God. In a way, I felt like Jonah running away from a calling God has placed in my heart not just at North Greenville but from years back from that little small girl in GA class with a heart for missions then. I continued to live my life, but with regret because I was not obedient to God.
Now here I am 2 years from saying no, to now saying YES!! Well a lot has happened in my life in these past two years situations and circumstances from which I have grown into a stronger and wiser person. Just like Jonah, God offered him a second chance, but only after he hit rock bottom and found himself floating around in the belly of a whale. Well I can safely say, I was not swallowed by a whale, but God allowed me to sink and hit my rock bottom, in order for me to Rise and give me a second chance. Sometimes God places a in a situation of isolation so that we can focus on him. I want to do it right this time around. I surrender my whole life to him and right now that means committing a whole year as a missionary on the World Race.
I do not know what the future holds, but I have also realized that we are not meant to see the whole picture. All I know is God gave me a passion for missions a long time ago. That could mean whenever he calls me to go, I go whether a week, a month, a year or a lifetime. He has called me to fulltime ministry and I will serve him. I am grateful he gave me a second chance. I am stepping out on Faith fully trusting Him. I am so excited about what the upcoming years has in store for me.
God laid this song on my heart right before I started praying about the World Race. I could not have said it any better as to what I was and am still feeling at this time. Please listen!!
