People like to ask each other, “What’s your plan now?” And it seems that I have always kinda struggled with this one. In the past, it was because I truly didn’t know, and that stressed me the heck out. Now, it’s because I’m not so concerned with the answer. What I’m not saying is that I don’t care. What I’m also not saying is that I’m uninterested in committing to one certain thing. What I am saying is that I’ve grown to become profoundly delighted in the glorification of Christ and the surpassing greatness of knowing Him. What I’ve come to understand is Col. 3:17, that whatever I do, whether or word in deed, I am to do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks. When I don’t know what the plan is, I give thanks. When I think I might know what the plan is, I give thanks. When what I thought that plan was changes, I give thanks. And when I finally know the plan, whether it’s what I intended from the beginning or it has become something so new, I give thanks.
I think that when people ask that question, they usually want to hear something long-term. They want to know where you see yourself in ten years. They want to know how you’re going to get there. I don’t quite know the answer to the ten year wonderment question. But, I do know the answer to the question of tomorrow, the question of what’s next.
On January 22nd, I am packing my trunk (literally, I’ll probably do it that morning) and roadtripping with a couple of friends to Georgia. They will drop me off and catch a flight back home. (What lovely friends to join me, right?) But I will stay.
I am attending the Center for Global Action (CGA), a leadership and discipleship training program through the organization which also coordinates the World Race, that eleven month hike around the world I got back from at the end of summer. The CGA is a four month experience which includes classes, discipleship, an apprenticeship in the Adventures in Missions office, mentorship, community outreach, leadership training and, it is my hope, much growth. I’m fairly vague in my description of it perhaps because, in a sense, it’s a little bit of a mystery to me, and perhaps because, to an extent, I desire a little bit of mystery. Not to worry, I’ve done my research on this, talked to those who coordinate it, talked to a few people who have attended, and spent significant time in prayer, seeking the Lord for direction.
And I received my direction. I received blessing from the Lord to go. He has begun preparing my heart for whatever it is that comes next, and that happens to look like a time of preparation right now. It looks like a time of being discipled, being challenged, being stretched, learning to lead and growing in my understanding of what leadership as a woman of Christ looks like under the direction of those equipped to teach me. I’m learning to understand that the preparation matters. So, I’m coming to realize that this time in Georgia matters.
Proverbs 16:9 says that in his heart, a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. I’m entering this four month season of preparation with the intention of heading back out onto the mission field with the World Race as a squad leader (meaning I, along with a few other leaders and AIM people, would be in charge of logistical planning, discipling, and leading a fresh group of World Racers on their eleven month journey). I’m incredibly passionate and invested in the prospects of this opportunity to lead. I also see that I am in need of a bit more preparation and counsel before embarking. Thus, the CGA. I’ve made a plan in my heart, but I desire the Lord to direct my steps, be that in whatever way He so chooses.
There is another opportunity for partnership on this journey. I am in need of raising about $1,000 yet for these four months of preparation. If you would like to partner with me, you can click the “Support Me” tab at the left side of this page. If you have questions or would like to hear more from me about these next four months, please contact me! I’d love to share more of my heart about it. As I prepare my own heart for Georgia, I seek prayer support that the Lord would reveal himself more deeply to me, that he would show me how he desires to use me, and that he would keep my heart open to his direction.
What a complete joy it is to be his vessels, to be used by him, to follow him, and to learn to love this world how he loves it. We are surely blessed indeed, my friends.
