This past Tuesday evening I was worshipping with some of my squadmates on the balcony of our house. After about an hour of worshipping together, a question was posed to each of us by Horlyn, a Dominican Rising student that is working with some of our teams this month. He asked each of us . . .”What is your purpose on this trip?”
It seemed like a simple enough question, but it had me stumped. I know all of the typical answers that I would give like “to do good for others” or “to step out of my comfort zone and experience other cultures” but these types of responses seemed inadequate at best and I felt like this was something that I needed to examine more to determine my answer. I told him that I was challenged by the question and that I would give it more thought and get back to him with my answer. He said that he felt that it was “Jesus inside of him” that prompted him to ask the question of us, and I agree. I mean, how can I expect to keep focus on fulfilling my purpose of this trip if I am unsure of what it is?
This challenge led me to pray and consider this question over the next few days, so I decided to share what I came up with. I feel that putting it in writing somehow makes it more real and will help my support system to hold me accountable for daily striving to fulfill the purpose that God has for me on this trip.
He has revealed to me that my purpose is two-fold for this trip. . .
First of all, it is about increased knowledge and understanding. From my team’s current study of Proverbs, I am realizing more and more the importance of seeking and following the Lord’s wisdom that is presented to me through His word and through the prayerful guidance and advice from Godly influences in my life. The influences that I am referring to are the people that I am living in community with this year and those people that I will meet and build relationships in each country that I live. However, they are also my supporters, family, and trusted friends from home that I know are praying for me and speaking truth and life into me as the Lord leads
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Secondly, it is about expanding “my world” through immersion in other cultures. It is not only about an increased awareness of the issues that the people are facing, but also about discovering my role in impacting the issues and the lives of the people that I will meet in each country. Beyond that even, it is about daily carrying out the actions that the Lord presents to me in order to be His “hands and feet” to the nations.
I do not know what the Lord has planned for my life beyond the race, but I have come to understand that is not for me to know at this time. What I do know is that this is exactly where He has purposed for me to be during this season in my life. I am also confident that His purpose for me this year is to seek an increased knowledge and understanding of His will for me and to expand “my world” by daily being willing to see what He presents to me and to act as He leads in all situations.
I do have to admit that realizing God’s purpose for this season and embracing it is very exciting and also challenging at the same time because it is a daily choice to seek, experience, and act as He leads. I appreciate all of your prayers and continued encouragement as I continue on this journey that He has purposed for me.
