(check out my WR video at the end of my blog!!)
It’s hard to imagine that this past year of my life happened. Being back in America surrounded by the comforts that we are blessed to have and enjoy, I forget about the transformation that happened, the refining process the Lord led me through.
This year was more than a mission trip to eleven countries. It was more than doing good service work for people in need. It was more than an opportunity to see new places and meet new people.
This year was an invitation.
And isn’t that how God works? By inviting us to step forward with Him. There’s a Housefires song called “Come to the River” that beckons us all to come to the River of the Lord, come receive, come taste and see. It’s an invitation. We must be willing to approach Him in order to receive all that He gives. There’s an action that must take place on our part. Later in the song, it proclaims, “I WILL taste and see that You are GOOD.” There is a conscious decision being made in that song. I will, Lord. I will go to You and receive.
The easy way to look at my last year is to think that Laura DID make that decision. She said yes to going on this trip! That IS responding to the Lord’s invitation. And you’re right. It is. But, if you want to know the truth, that was the easiest invitation from Him to accept.
I can’t tell you how many times over my Race the Lord asked me for something that I didn’t want to give Him. When He would beckon me to come. But I would remain where I was, caught in human reasoning and logic or ever-changing emotion. He invited me step out with Him, but I would hesitate. He would call to me, “Laura, will you walk with Me in preaching to this Indian village tonight? Laura, will you follow Me and have that hard conversation with a teammate? Laura, will you disregard people’s thoughts and opinions of you and be satisfied in Me only? Will you? Laura, will you walk with Me in My joy each day?” Each time, beckoning me to drink from His River. To taste His goodness for me in that moment.
I don’t ever want to forget those times. Because in the midst of that confusion and conflict, when I followed His call, grabbed His hand, and walked toward Him, in those times are where the transformation happened. The steady workings of a Master Creator, smoothing and refining his creation, so that it becomes what it’s been made for.
I’m holding on to these moments. The times when I was brought to the edge and asked to walk out in faith and trust.
… In Guatemala, when the Father asked me to embrace my team and to shift my vision from selective to holistic.
… In Nicaragua, when He showed me how much other people’s thoughts and opinions controlled my actions and asked me to taste of the freedom that only He offers.
… In the Philippines, when He asked me to find true dependence on Him, and only Him.
… In Thailand, when the Lord burdened my heart with His grief and sadness at His creation going against His beautiful design
… In Cambodia, when God asked me if I still believe in His truths about me even when my situation changes and it all seems wrong.
… In Nepal, when God shared His beauty with me through nature, friendship, and generosity.
… In India, when He offered me His joy and gave me a glimpse of His mighty heart for the nations.
… In Swaziland, when the Father woke me up from my apathy and asked me to be His mouthpiece.
… In Botswana, when He offered to take away all my burdens and asked me to trust in Him through it.
… In Montenegro, when the Lord asked me to open my eyes to the heavenly opportunities in front of me every day.
… In Ukraine, when God asked me to step into the restoration process of myself and others.
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds …You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples … Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” -Psalm 77:11-12, 14, 19-20
This I know to be true: God longs for you to taste and see that He is good. He invites you to come with Him. He wants to refine you into what you’re intended to be.
I never want to forget what the Lord has done, and I never want to stop expecting Him to do mighty work.
So, yea, this trip was more. Just MORE. More of everything you can get. Thank you for following me and for praying for me.
Here’s my recap video that I put together of my entire race!! Can’t believe the Lord lead me to experience all these things. He’s a good, good Father!
