“Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you…He did this so that all the people of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” Joshua 4:5, 24
Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites would periodically set up a stone or stones as a memorial to God and to help them remember what God has done. As I begin this journey of following God to the ends of the earth, I want to set up some “stones” or reminders of why I am going on The World Race.
1. My Heart’s Desire
As a young child, God placed in my heart the desire to love those who are lonely and help those in need. I always believed it wasn’t a matter of if I would serve overseas, but when. I have been too afraid to trust God in the past with the desire He has given me, but now is the time to surrender to my Heavenly Father and embrace who He created me to be.
2. Gratitude
My Heavenly Father could have left me in my sinful, unlovable state, but instead He chose to forgive me and adopt me as His daughter. Even though I still struggle with fear and insecurities, how can I not give my heart to God?! “I run in the path of Your commands, for you have set my heart free.” Psalm 118:32
3. Jesus Commands Us to Go
Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He left ALL of His followers a command with a promise: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 It is time for me to stop playing it safe and follow God where He leads, even to the ends of the earth.
4. The Old is Gone!
Because Jesus has saved me and is continually changing me to be more like Him, I can and must let go of the old me and the things and people I have held so tightly to over the years in order to make room for a new life. (see 2 Corinthians 5:14-17)
5. To See God’s Power
After God answered Job, Job humbly responded, “My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You (Job 42:5).” I believe that God is going to use the 11 months serving around the world to show me more clearly who He is and and what He is doing in the world He created and sustains. I have no doubt that I will be changed more than I can ever hope to change the world, as Mighty God astounds me with “wonder upon wonder”.
6. To Develop my Faith
Hebrews 11:6 plainly states, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him”. Faith grows when we use it. God has been deepening my faith in Him but every aspect of The World Race requires me to trust God because it is truly impossible without God making a way.
Already, I feel my heart turning towards the God who is calling me on this adventure rather than the adventure itself. I will continue to set up my stones in the coming days but I would love to for you to share some of your why’s behind missions with me in the comments section. Thank you for your prayers and support!
