For the past six months God has been doing major reconstructive surgery on my heart. Some of it has been painful but the reward has been worth it! During college I somehow became misguided of my main purpose as a believer. Colossians 1:16, “All things were created BY Him and FOR Him,” helped me to reevaluate life and remind me why I am here. We are to live a life that fulfills His purposes. I asked myself if I have been living a life that reflects this truth. I wish my answer to this question was yes but honestly if I was truthful with myself and God, I had to answer no. This conviction brought me to repentance and the Lord has shown me His love by giving me peace through this time.
I have been asking God to reveal Himself to me in new ways and to show me areas of my life that I need to grow. One thing that God has revealed to me is that throughout my life I have played it “safe” and that living in my comfort zone has hindered me from growing closer to the Lord and producing fruit for His Kingdom. In order to bring God’s Kingdom here on earth sacrifices need to be made. Jesus set the stage with the greatest of sacrifices and that opened many doors for all people. Jesus calls us to follow suit by taking up our own cross daily and to follow Him (Luke 9:23). These sacrifices will lead to suffering but suffering for the Gospel leads to hope that is only found in Christ Jesus. “Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). Through His Spirit lives are changed and hearts are turned to Him. Stepping out of our comfort zones pushes us to trust God and allows for the Spirit to work in our lives.
God has been trying to speak these things to me for a long time but I have been ignoring them. This conviction has been hard to deal with but through this, I have experienced God’s forgiveness! I began to ask God ways I can serve and trust Him. I am also learning to wait upon and listen to God’s voice.
After graduating from Azusa Pacific University with a social work degree I had no idea what God was calling me to next. I had a few ideas with graduate school being at the top of the list, not because I wanted to but because it seemed like the most logical option. I applied to the University of Washington (UW) for their Masters of Social Work program. Three months later I received an email stating that I was not admitted to the program this year. This news was somewhat disappointing and made me feel inadequate. However, I would have been even more disappointed if God had not begun to open another door a few days earlier.
A few days before I received the news from the UW I was doing my devotions and I got this strong sense to google mission trips. So, I got my computer out and “googled.” Reading through the first couple links nothing really seemed interesting so I continued to click through links. I eventually came across Adventures in Missions. Tears were brought to my eyes while I read about the World Race mission trip and felt both excited and scared. I have never felt God calling me to something so strongly. That day I began the application process. God has closed the door to graduate school but He has an even greater adventure waiting for me!
I have never felt God calling me to something so strongly. He is asking me to pursue this mission trip and honestly it scares me. Financial deadlines and the launch date are both coming up so quickly it seems next to impossible. To our human eyes it is impossible but through the Holy Spirit, God can move mountains. I am not alone in this and if it is God’s will He will provide! I am reminded that I am not alone in this and God is ABLE.
You can support me through prayer during this season of fundraising and preparing.
If you feel led to support me financially click on the “Support Me” tab.
In Him,
Marissa
