The only way I could build a strong and sound relationship with God is to travel across seas and live with other God fearing people for 9 months. I have to leave my friends, family, and home to get rid of distractions and focus solely on my Father. Before I could spend time with my Father I have to raise $13,805. I have to work my office job in-between my college course classes and head straight to my serving job right after. I have to put on eye catching fundraisers to gain supporters. I have to put forth all my effort in order to make this trip possible. I have to do all these things before I can start a relationship with God.
In reality this is not the case at all. Getting caught up in myself and the world can lead me astray and put these heavy burdens on my shoulders. I’ll be honest, I thought I would have to reach the mission field for God to really work in my heart. Break me down physically, emotionally and spiritually and build me up in the same way. But in reality He has been working in me all along. With or without this trip God has been helping me grow stronger and deeper in my faith day by day, minute by minute. He has broken me down many many times as I prepared for this God serving journey and He has built me up as a more faithful and trusting servant each time. And I cannot wait to go out and share Gods greatness to the nations around me.
I can not put any trust in myself to fund this mission. Surely that would lead to failure with that mindset because I surely do not have the strength, nor power to do such a thing. My focus is on my true Father in Heaven. He is the one who will guide me and lead me to what He knows is best. I know that He will open and close the doors for me that will lead me on the right path.
Yes, a trip this big and this daring will help me grow in my relationship with my Father. But my relationship with Him has already flourished. Distractions will follow me everywhere I go; even after traveling to the other side of the world away from everything I know. As of now school is a must; work is a must; and with my plans of going on this mission, fundraising is a must. All of this is a must. But God will be the one who provides for the trip in the end. The amount of hours worked, the fundraisers ran, and the donations received are blessings from God. He will provide for this trip if it is His will.
HE has already given me a strong relationship with Him. HE is the only one to lean on during the peaks and the valleys of this journey. HE will provide the $13,805 for the trip if it is His will. HE will open doors. HE will close doors. HE has done, is doing, and will do everything a loving Father can do. HE will always love me. And HE is the one I will look to and focus on before anyone and anything else. HE is the one I can put all my trust in.
There is no “I” in HE. But HE is in I.
Joshua 1:9
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.
