Some days I don’t even know what country I am in…the struggle is real.
It is month 8 and some days I still feel like I’m in Africa, which was 6 months ago.
I have to wake up and say, “I am in El Salvador” to myself just so that I remember.
There is something very freeing about this and sometimes very terrifying.
Even though there may be thoughts or feelings or anxiety or fears present on a day-to-day basis, there is something the good Lord wants us to realize in those moments.
God brought us to this moment right here, right now for a reason.
I know 1,000,000 times over that God brought me on the World Race for a HUGE reason. He wanted to break the strongholds the enemy had over my life. He wanted me to experience living a life of freedom. He wanted me to see what pure joy feels like. He wanted me to see the poorest of the poor thankful for what they have. He wanted me to see children with no clothes running around full of joy. He wanted me to see Muslims laughing and enjoying the presence of Christians. He wanted me to see that all over this world, His children have a family no matter where they go. He wanted me to experience a life of abandonment from “things” I thought I needed.
These are just a few.
I’m not going to pretend like I know every reason He brought me to this moment in my life or you to this moment in your life, but the truth is, we are here. I am writing and you are reading each word in this moment for a reason.
And whether you believe in God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit, or not, you were brought here for a reason.
This life has been perfectly orchestrated by a perfect God to bring His children together.
Now what we do together is our choice.
We might be put into very awkward or unknown situations during our day and what we do or how we respond is up to us.
Like that time in Cambodia when we were in a tuk-tuk lost and had no idea how to get to our house. I decided to pray instead of letting fear consume me, and we were led home by a motorcycle.
I encourage you to step into a place where you are uncomfortable because we are only going to grow as people in those uncomfortable situations.
Like that time in Ghana when I had to preach in front of an entire church for 30 minutes. I had no idea what I was doing or what I was saying but with the Holy Spirit leading me, it all turned out great.
I encourage you to try something new.
Like eating a tarantula or praying over someone.
I encourage you to ask your friends, parents, or children those hard questions.
Like everyone asks me, “Sooooo, what are you doing when you get home?” (by the way, I still have no clue)
I encourage you to press into the Lord.
Sometimes you only have to start saying, “Good Morning Jesus!” I’m pretty sure Jesus likes small prayers!
I encourage you to pray BIG prayers.
Like I prayed every day to be fully funded by March 14, 2017 and it happened (THANKS TO YOU GUYS!!!) or when I pray for healing over a swollen foot and the next morning there is no sign of swelling!
But most of all I encourage you to let today or this week or this year be a time of trust.
Sometimes this is the hardest one, especially in the US where we are conditioned to trust only ourselves.
I challenge you to let it go, whatever IT is, and trust the good Lord and see what happens.
You might be surprised.
God is just waiting for you to walk by His side. He is just waiting for you to have a YES in your heart. He is just waiting for you. Only you.
If I have learned one thing in these 8 months, it would be: God is so much bigger than I ever knew and He wants to take care of His children, in every moment of every day, all you have to do is trust that He will.
Father,
Help me live a life of You being my focus. Help me live a life of trust in You. Help me be more like You. Help me Lord in those uncomfortable situations to know You are growing me. Help me Jesus in every interaction, especially those stressful and anxious moments. I can’t do this life without You anymore and I ask You to consume me with Your love. God I love You a lot and I ask this in Jesus’ name!
Amen!
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
