“Why have you given up your job?” “Why are you going to places that have diseases and violence?” “It’s safer here; let other people go.”
Here are a few of many questions that I have been asked over the last few months.
The last year or two has felt stagnant. Nothing seemed challenging. I felt like God was present but distant. Yes, I’ve done trips here and there, and God did amazing things, but life back at home was too “comfortable” for me.
As I was growing up, it was the opposite. As I worked my way through EMT and Paramedic school, I NEEDED the Lord’s help. I was nervous and timid, knowing that the responsibility of a medic is a huge deal. It was scary to think that human lives would be in my hands, and life and death would be at the expense of my actions. I needed the Lord’s help! I involved him every step of the way, and He was there with me in all the excitement and frustrations, successes and failures. Life was challenging, but it was an amazing journey with an amazing God. He opened the door into the medic program right after I finished EMT school (the process was already closed, but they let me apply anyway); I was blessed with success through the medic class and with an amazing internship; I received a job shortly after turning 21. Every day started with the Lord, continued with the Lord and finished with the Lord.
I attained my childhood dream of being a medic and working on an ambulance. As my experience grew, so did my confidence; however, my days stopped including the Lord. I was no longer scared, but was confident in my knowledge and skills that I accumulated.
This last year, I have not enjoyed my job. Life has felt overall stagnant.
At training camp, the Lord told me why: “It’s because you no longer included Me.”
When desires from the Lord unfold in your life, they won’t be enjoyed to the fullest if the Lord is not present. He gave you those desires so that He can enjoy them with you.
Throughout those years of school, doors opened that only He could open. He helped me every step of the way. He brought encouragement when I wanted to give up. Once I hit that milestone, I acted as though I no longer needed Him. I let Him become distant in my life, and it has definitely showed.
Over the last year, my heart has longed for the need to trust in the Lord. It longs to step out into the unknown and to allow the Lord to be my guide. It longs to love His people around the world. And for these reasons, I am leaving my career, my family, and my comfort at home. I am stepping out into a season where “the Lord has to show up or I may be in trouble.”
Tomorrow, my squad and I board a plane for El Salvador! There are many unknowns, but the Lord will be our guide!
Stay tuned to see what happens!
V Squad
