“The most limiting thing about maps is that they only give you already-charted territory. They can only take you as far as someone else has been. Mapped-out life plans don’t push you to pioneer and explore what hasn’t ever been done. If you keep following the compass Jesus gives us, you will find yourself involved in pushing His global task toward completion. To finish His journey means that at some point you move beyond the edge of the maps.” – Steven Hawthorne
The Lord has such a sense of humor because for the last year I have really loved the symbol of the compass. Even in such a small thing He was preparing my heart for what He had in store. I certainly had a “mapped-out life plan”. As many people know I have been trying to get to the mission field since I was in high school. Luckily I had wise parents that “encouraged” (told me I had too) go to college before I could leave. So to appease them I went to college and even stayed for a Master’s degree….and then I was going to leave. But even when we don’t know or see it, the Lord is guiding our steps. During my Master’s year at Christopher Newport, I was able to study abroad in Belize and teach for two weeks in a local school. It was much harder than I had expected which is what convinced me I should gain some experience teaching in the states before going to the nations. I sought council and prayed through how long and landed on the number 5. I would stay in Newport News and teach for 5 years and then I would figure out where the Lord would send me.
I was sad that my own timeline was being altered, but surprisingly I wasn’t as bitter about it as I had been throughout college. I promised the Lord that if I was going to be in Newport News for five years that it would be a focused five years and that I would invest well right where I was. And so I did. I poured myself into the church I was going to. I became a member, did all of the outreaches, lead a young adult Bible study, participated in woman’s ministry, lead a part of the children’s ministry and discipled college girls. I also poured my heart and soul into teaching which is and will probably always be the hardest thing I have ever done. In about summer 2017 I started to feel that urge again. Three very dear friends were gearing up to leave on their own mission journey and I chalked it up to a desirous yet waiting heart. In the fall my roommate encouraged me to join her in a Perspectives class that went through the biblical, historical and application side of Christian Missions. What a journey! Through some friends I made in that class I heard about the World Race and thought what an incredible opportunity. For the past two years I had been trying to buy a house in the area, but every attempt had fallen through. I couldn’t figure out why if I had 5 years here, why the Lord wasn’t allowing me to buy a house. When news of the World Race stirred my heart, I understood! I began praying and seeking council about joining a team for what would go right through my next school year. I think having to quit my job was the scariest thing. However, when I read that quote above in the last chapter of my Perspectives class, I knew it was what the Lord was calling me to, compass and all. I have received amazing support from my friends, family and coworkers. I feel so loved and validated in the Lord’s plan and I can’t wait to see the amazing testimonies that will come from this step of faith.
