As I sit here in the Starbucks near my home, trying to prepare to leave for 11 months in 5 days, I begin to be filled with anxiety.
Because I know my life is about to completely change forever.
My life has been very comfortable and mostly unchanging the last 24 years. But I know without a doubt in my mind that the second I step foot on that airplane headed to Macedonia that my life will never be the same again. I know that this trip is going to change me. And I know that when I come back that I will be unable to go back to the way things were.
And if I’m honest, that scares me. Probably because one of my big fears is the unknown. And I have no idea what is going to happen on this trip or what is going to happen when I come home.
What I do know is that this trip is going to be painful and uncomfortable at points and that it’s going to stretch me. I also know that this is the path God is leading me down. And even though I don’t know what’s next, I would rather not know where I’m going and to be following God then to not know where I’m going and trying to follow myself.
And God’s word says in Ecclesiastes 7:10:
“Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise.”
So I will “accept my lot in life” as it says in Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 and share my hopes and dreams for this trip and beyond.
I hope/pray that I will come to know my heavenly Father and his voice more intimately/better through this trip.
I hope/pray that I will step out of my comfort zone more often than not.
I hope/pray that I will learn to be a leader whose confidence is in Christ, not in myself or those around me.
I hope/pray that I will learn to better put other’s needs above my own.
I hope/pray that I will come home and find my place of fulfillment and eternal influence. (Whether that’s in ministry or an “ordinary” job or both)
I hope/pray that God will provide me with a wife that shares and supports me in those efforts.
“Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give Glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death.”
Psalm 86:11-13
I invite you to join me in this journey by praying for me for these things and for my team and squad. And if you feel led please support me financially by clicking the “Support Me” button on the home page of my blog and choose either a one time donation or a monthly donation.
I currently have $10,410 in my account and I need to have $13,000 in my account by Oct. 31st and the full amount of $16,267 by Dec. 31st in order to stay on the field for the full 11 months with my team.
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me so far! You have no idea how much it means to me!
Thanks for reading and God bless!
