So this is my first World Race Blog! I'm very excited that you guys will be able to check in and see how things are going! Adventures in Missions is a wonderful organization and I'm very blessed to be side by side with them through this amazing journey.
I wanted to share a little something from the book I am currently reading. Just the other night at church, the sweetest lady gave me "Kisses From Kate," the extraordinary story of a young girl who went to Uganda on a missions trip that changed her life forever. The lady who gave me the book had told me that it reminded her of me and the journey I will be taking. I have been glued to this book ever since! This is one of the letters that she wrote early on in her ministry.
"Peter is the rock on which God built His church. But first, Peter was probably the worst disciple ever. I am Peter.
Jesus tells Peter the he (Peter) will deny Him 3 times; Peter says, "No! I love you; I could never deny you, Lord." Yet we all know that Peter does in fact deny Jesus three times. I know in my heart and soul and the core of my being that I love the Lord, that I would do anything for Him, go to the ends of the earth for Him, but how often do I forget to give the glory to His name? How often do I take compliments without giving Him the credit? Do I, like Peter, deny Jesus the glory that is His?
Jesus told His disciples that it was God's will for him to be arrested. He went willingly when the soldiers come to take Him, but enthusiastic, loving Peter raised his sword and cut off a soldier's ear. "Put your sword away,” Jesus commanded. "Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" I am Peter. I have my own time frame. When I don't see things happening, I try to make them happen. And Jesus says, "Pet away your sword, put away your plans. Shall we not do what the Father has asked of us?" So like Peter, I put away my plans, me defenses, and watch everything happen perfectly, in God's own timing.
After Jesus had risen, He appeared to His disciples while they were fishing. When Peter saw his beloved Savior, He excitedly jumped out of the boat and began swimming to where Jesus stood. Needless to say, the boat probably reached the shore long before Peter. I am Peter-excitedly jumping into things and then standing, sopping wet, at the feet of the Lord, smiling at my stupidity. I get excited, forget to think things through, and end up doing them the long way. Every time, though, just as with Peter, Jesus welcomes my soaking wet self into His arms and is simply happy to see me.
I am Peter who made many mistakes, but I am Peter for whom God had great plans, whom god established to do His work. Peter in the rock on which Jesus built his church. The very night when Peter foolishly jumped out of the boat, Jesus reinstated Him in the presence of the other disciples.
"Do you truly love me?" He asked. "Then feed my lambs."
Do you really love me? Take care of my lambs."
"Peter, do you love me? Feed my sheep, and come follow Me."
For each time I deny God the glory that is His, for each time I follow my will instead of listening to His, for each time I jump ahead without first consulting my Lord, He asks, "Daughter, do you truly love me?" And I do.
"Feed my sheep." And I will. And I do.
"Come follow Me." And I am, or at least I am trying.
I am Peter. I mess up. I make mistakes, I am far from perfect, and God will use me, God will establish great things through me.
You are Peter. God already knows that you will mess up, but His plan for you is great. Go. Feed His sheep."
This is going to be my mindset as I get ready, travel, and am on The World Race. There is no way that I'm going to see the things in these countries and not be moved to do something. But I have to be patient and I have to listen. "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) I've heard this verse my whole entire life and I didn't really know the meaning until now. God's timing is perfect. He knows what needs to happen and what is going to happen, even if you think you know better. I know there is no way to do God's work that He has called me to do without being still and without listening.
My favorite line in the letter is "I am Peter. I mess up. I make mistakes, I am far from perfect, and God will use me, God will establish things through me."
Isn't it wonderful to have a God that knows we're going to mess up?! He doesn't expect us to be perfect. Messing up is inevitable. It's going to happen. But even though it does happen, God still loves us the same, and He always will.
I know that this race is part of God's plan for me. I know that He will work through me and the people I have a priviledge to meet and work with. Each day I grow more and more excited! I know that it will be hard to leave my family, friends, and the comfort of home, but that sorrow will not even compare to the joy I will have while out on the mission feild.
I'm ready!
