Since I was accepted into the World Race, there is something that I have heard countless times from young adults who learn about my trip: “I wish I could do what you’re doing!”
This statement never ceases to baffle me. If I want to do something in my life, I start doing whatever is necessary to do it. When I thought that I wanted to be a psychologist, I researched schools and bought a number of psychology books to see if it was really something that I wanted to spend my life immersed in; when I wanted to move to Paris to write books and work as Belle at Disneyland Paris, I researched apartments, living costs, and how to audition to be a princess (quite honestly, this is still something that I want to do); and when I decided that I wanted to go on the World Race, I filled out an application and waited for a response. I believe that if a person feels called to do something, especially if they are called by God, they need to go for it.
When you look at instances in the Bible where an individual is called to do something that is quite extraordinary, there often tends to be some level of aversion. Look at Moses, for example. He was called to stand up to Pharaoh and free the Israelites, but he felt unworthy. Having a speech impediment and only ever knowing life as a shepherd, he felt that there must be someone better for God to use. Thousands of years later, it appears that oftentimes when modern-day Christians are called to do something beyond their plan for themselves or comfort zone, they have a myriad of excuses.
Although I am referring to anything that God is calling you to do, for now I’m going to use mission work as my main example. I’ve heard a wide array of explanations to justify why an individual believes that they can’t do mission work: their parents wouldn’t like it, their church wants them to do more work locally before going out to help the world, they think that they couldn’t possibly raise the amount of money necessary. These are all understandable concerns, but I would like to take a moment to challenge them. To those who are worried about their parents, I would like to ask you this: Are your parents more important than God? If the answer is yes, consider Luke 14:26. Not to be blunt, but I believe that the plans of the creator of the universe are a little more important than the concerns of your parents. To those being held back by the leaders of their church: do you think that it is right for them to oppose God’s plan, simply because there is more work that they want to be done first? They should be happy that God is calling you to do such great things!
“ Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
When looking at His will for us in our lives, God can see the big picture. He can see how many lives we’ll change. He can see how many lives we’ll save. He can see the incredible growth that we will experience spiritually and in our character. All we see when God calls us to do something extraordinary is the daunting task that it will be to leave behind whatever we are doing to do what He wants for us. This is where trusting in God comes in. It would be a lie to say that following God’s will isn’t scary. I’m scared of countless things regarding my upcoming trip: illness, the rate of sexual assault in certain places that I am going, what my first inevitable panic attack in a foreign country will be like, and much, much more. However, I believe that feeling afraid of what God wants you to do is a good thing. It shows that He is calling you higher, and that you will be required to trust in Him and step out in faith.
Whether you feel called to do something as big as travel the world to do mission work or help plant a church on the other side of the country, or something as small as becoming a youth leader at your church, you should never let your own fears or the opinions of others get in your way. Always remember that, if something is truly God’s will, He will guide you and be with you the whole way, even if everyone else thinks you’re crazy for what you’re doing. Trust in The Lord; I promise that He knows what He’s doing.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” ~ Psalm 32:8
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Check out my sister’s blog here: http://kayleekuipers.theworldrace.org/
