So, I’ve officially been back in the States for 3 weeks now
(gosh that feels so weird to say). It almost feels like I’m still on The World
Race though… I haven’t stopped moving . After landing in LAX I went straight
down to San Diego to visit family and friends for a few days, then flew back to
home to MA for two days (during that time I was in western MA, CT, and Boston)
to visit more family and friends, and then I flew out to Atlanta, only to drive
to Tennessee the next day and spend a week and a half there helping out on the Serve Team for yet another World Race training
camp. Good times indeed (more on that experience later!) I just got back
home to MA a few nights ago and have been running all over the place since,
attempting to reconnect with long lost loved ones. It’s been incredible… but it
does feel slightly odd to be home.
However, I have to admit that I thought I would be
experiencing more culture shock than I am. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve definitely
had my moments of, “Uh oh, we’re not
[overseas] anymore, Toto�… but they haven’t been as often as I expected. I
guess a small part of me expected that all the “God moments� I was so used to
having overseas would suddenly cease (or at least be few and far between) once
the plane hit the US. And to be honest, that realization was hard to swallow.
But gosh, I couldn’t have been more wrong. I’ve been
pleasantly surprised to find that the Lord has been continuing to provide
opportunity after opportunity to bring kingdom… wherever I am. Overseas, in America,
on a train, in a coffee shop, on an escalator… wherever.
Sometimes it feels like big moves of God are more evident,
blatant, or frequent overseas. Maybe this is true. Maybe it’s because there’s
generally a deeper hunger (both physically and spiritually) in those who know they need the Lord for everything… even in order to survive the
next day. But that doesn’t mean the Lord doesn’t move in the same powerful ways
in the US. He does. We just need to continue calling on Him with the same
vigor, fervency, and faith.
Since being home, God has divinely ordained several
opportunities to minister to others in amazing ways. I met a random man on the
train down to San Diego, talked with him the whole 2-hour ride, witnessed to
him and listened to his views on the Lord, and prayed with him before leaving.
Praise God! I’ve had some amazing talks with friends, family members, and old co-workers,
and have been able to speak life and encouragement into their lives. I had an
extended time of prayer with my family. I hiked with my amazing uncle (Bill) in
San Diego and had a fabulous ad-hoc discipleship session; I heard all about what
the Lord is doing in his life and told him what He’s doing in mine. The next
day I attended his church (he’s a pastor) and he prayed and prophesied over me –
words of life and truth that penetrated my heart and soul. Then I was able to
pray for him as well. Thank you, Uncle Bill… I love you! I had a slightly
rigorous theological discussion with one of my old friends… but the Lord gave
me words to speak. I attended a presentation on a friend’s recent mission trip
to Brazil with Sozo Ministries and heard about healing after healing after
healing that the Lord divinely ordained. Praise God! I then prayed for healing
over my grandmom and she received a vision from the Lord! I have been able to
lay hands on and pray for even more healing, deliverance, and restoration for
other friends and members of my family. The list could go on and on… but I am
simply amazed at the goodness of the Lord and the boldness and confidence He’s allowed me to step into. He is always
waiting to bless others… and He wants to use US to do it! We just have to say, “YES!�
I love the fact that we’re all missionaries – called by God
to spread the Good News to the world (Matthew 28:18-20). We just have different
mission fields. Our fields are wherever we find ourselves for that season in
life. Or wherever we find ourselves that day,
or even that moment. Opportunities
for ministry are all around us; the Lord is constantly speaking and desiring to
touch, bless, and love on His children. We
just need to be open to hear from Him… and when we do, to be courageous enough
to follow. In time, we will eventually find ourselves in a state where we
no longer “do ministry� during its designated time slot, but we are ministry to the world around us, constantly
listening to the voice of the Lord and responding in obedience when He calls. People
are desperate to hear God’s voice, to know His affections for them, to know His
love. I’m desperate for this. So why not take a risk, step out, and love on the
hurting and broken world we find ourselves in. God wants to love on us… and He
wants to USE US to love on others. What an honor!
I say yes… use me as a tool, Jesus! Let my eyes be focused on you and
my ears be tuned to your voice. I want to be led by your Spirit. I want to love
you with all of me and follow your lead to reach the hurting and the broken and
offer your words, your life, your encouragement, your LOVE. I want to bring your kingdom to earth. I love you, Lord! Amen. 🙂
