Whenever I hear/say/think of this phrase I think of Aladdin…
And this is exactly what God says to me every day…even several times a day. Each day I have to make the choice to sacrifice myself and allow God to work through me. This question has been especially present during the Race, from FedEx losing my passport 4 days before I was supposed to leave the country, to being separated from my team for half a month, to having to get my India visa last minute, and even to trusting God after a plot twist in a travel day that consisted of walking across the Serbia/Bulgaria border in the rain. Every time it has been worth the risk to take His hand and climb on to the proverbial magic carpet.
Today God asked me to write down what I wanted in my life, my goals, aspirations, dreams, hopes, etc. It didn't matter when I wanted them, or how big or small they seemed. He just wanted me to write them down. So I did, and in no particular order here are some of the things that I want…
- To travel – to many places.
- To get my India visa
- To be a wife
- To be a mother
- To disciple girls
- To be full of joy
- To be a best friend (and a bridesmaid one day…Maid of Honor would be great too)
- To consistently be obedient to God
- To keep playing football (aka soccer)
- To keep drawing
- To keep playing clarinet
- To draw closer to God every day
- To stand for justice
- To return to Serbia
- To get a masters in apologetics from Oxford
- To always have a swing dance partner
- To love unconditionally
- To see the Church become more unified globally
- To play guitar well
- To know how to make really good coffee
After I wrote this down God asked me to give it up. Give every single thing on this list up. Every want, desire, passion, dream, etc. You see, if I give them up I'm left with God. God has to be enough for me, because each of these things is fleeting. Even my more spiritual desires can become a hindrance. My desire to draw closer to God each day can become challenging if I don't feel it or see tangibly that it's happening, which leads to frustration and potentially bitterness. God has to be my center, my focus; the desires that I have are not necessarily bad, but I have to trust what God is doing in my life. If I don't get some of them I don't want to be disappointed, I want to rejoice that God knows better.
So, when God reaches out His hand asking if you trust Him, you can bet that it will be a crazy ride, but absolutely amazing and worth the risk. Following Him may cost you everything you have, and every hope, desire, and aspiration; but a relationship with Him is worth all that and more.
Financial Update!
I currently need about $500 to make my next deadline. I need these funds by October 1! I am in need of about $5,000 to be fully funded. I need to raise this amount by January 1! Please prayerfully consider donating, and you can by clicking the "Support Me!" link on the left side of this page.
