So this is it. The long awaited time has come and tomorrow morning I am getting on a plane to Dallas and from there to LA and from LA to China and then after a full two days, I will reach my destination to my first country, Cambodia. However, I cannot call this a destination but better yet a big jump into the river. The river of grace that Jesus has for me.
Cambodia is just one tiny stroke within the waters that leads me to the destination where God wants me… to be in His presence.
I’ve been waiting a long time sitting on the edge ready to jump in. Because I’ve been in this waiting period for 6 months, I have felt things like fear, exhaustion, impatience, numbness, excitement, and apathy. My emotions have changed like a roller coaster but one thing still remains the same– that God had it in His plan for me to jump in.
Tomorrow I am jumping and not coming back for 11 months.
Some months the waters may rise, sometimes they will be calm and smooth. It will rain and most likely storm but I can trust that even though I am swimming, my soul is anchored in the truth of Jesus Christ.
I am currently at World Race Launch in Atlanta, GA where we are preparing with our team and squads to leave. In one session, a World Race staff member gave a talk on living as Kingdom People. She reminded us as missionaries not to just focus on the good fruit that comes from doing ministry, but we should focus on the where we dig and plant our roots. If our roots are planted firm in the One who is secure and true, it is in His grace that our branches will bear good fruit.
So today as I reflect and think about doing ministry over the next year, I am trying to place my anchor firm in Jesus in order to strengthen my relationship with the true Vine. He reminds me of John 15…
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself: it must remain in the vine… I am the vine; you are the branches…apart from me you can do nothing.”
We can travel to the far places of the world and play with orphans and be “do-gooders” but if we don’t have Christ, then what is good and everlasting? If we wanted to, we could probably do everything on our own this next year on the World Race….maybe. But how much more would we not only grow, but also see the supernatural power of our great God when He guides, heals, saves, and transforms lives around us? Apart from Him we can do nothing.
Karen Watson (no I am not related to her!) was a missionary in Iraq and was killed in 2004. She left behind an envelope that said “Open in case of death.” It said…
Dear pastor,
When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations. I wasn’t called to a place; I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, His glory my reward . . .
The missionary heart:
- Cares more than some think is wise
- Risks more that some think is safe
- Dreams more than some think is practical
- Expects more than some think is possible.
I was called not to comfort or to success but to obedience. . . . There is no Joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him.
In His care,
Karen
This woman jumped in the river. She experienced His love and grace. She lived for the Kingdom and never turned back. She knew where her roots were planted and from there good fruit was produced.
My journey is beginning tomorrow but I pray and hope you pray for me as well that I have the missionary heart and an anchored soul. Join me and let’s jump in.
The World Race: More Than a Mission Trip. Watch this video 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiYUDhkLpTw
