Hi friends! My name is Morgan Reeves and this is the story of my calling. (My posts will NOT always be this long but I wanted to share something special for my first post and I promise it’s a great story!)
Along the terrifying drive up the jagged mountain side of San Mateo, Guatemala, one will come across a small, native village that consists of one long winding dirt road with a collection of rural houses along side the edge of the road. These colorful, rundown homes seem incredibly small compared to the vast mountains looming over them and making up most of the landscape. If you happen to stumble across a bright orange building – that appears to be the only house fully completed in construction – you have come across Iglesias Evangélico, the Church of El Tizate, Guatemala. Alongside my church, I traveled here to Guatemala in July of 2014 to install a water purification system to supply clean water to this community, for the first time.
Coming from Austin, Texas, Guatemala is vastly different. The language, landscape and culture all created what I believed to be huge barriers that separated me from my brothers and sisters in Christ. This week God broke into my life and exposed me to the truth that His love and mercy broke down every physical and mental barrier that people like to impose on both themselves and others. While I began to fully surrender myself to Christ, He taught me what it meant to be a servant by being able to serve these amazing people as I grew in love for all of God’s children. And as I looked out on this beautiful landscape that God has created here in Guatemala I was constantly reminded about God’s beauty and grace. Here is where I discovered that God has blessed me with not only love and compassion, but a servant’s heart.
One of the last days I was at Iglesias Evangelico, or Morgan’s new favorite place in the world which is what I like to call it, God revealed His calling to me. I was leaning up against a rock wall built surrounding the church and looking out upon the astonishing view that never failed to take my breath away. When I looked down into the beautifully green valley I could see clouds blowing through which meant I was standing higher than the clouds! At this moment I began to pray that as we would begin our last session on water purification that He would use me as a vessel so that His word would be spoken and His will would be done. I began thanking Him for how He was molding me here in Guatemala and how He had never stopped loving me or fighting for me leading up to this. God spoke to me in this moment and He said, “I’m here.” I was looking out on all the beauty that was surrounding me along with the people I love so dearly, and I was hit with the realization that He always had been here. My God is unwavering no matter where I am. God had called me out upon the waters to teach me what it means to serve and to love, but also reveal to me who I am and whose I am. That moment I understood what it means to be a daughter in Christ, that I am loved beyond belief and I am bought with precious blood.
Returning back home a few days later, nothing had changed and everything had changed. I was expected to go to my drill team’s annual boot camp and then begin my senior year of high school like everyone expected me to. That all being very routine to me, I begun to question if this life I had built is one where I brought God glory or myself? Was I going to school, maintaining a job, and dancing on a drill team because it was what I felt called to do or what society told me would make me happy? And what question does every high school senior get asked 104857393403 times before they graduate…… “Where are you going to college?” Stress consumed because after fully surrendering my life to Christ, I desired His plan for me above all else. I do believe that I had followed His call throughout high school, but now began to hear Him calling me in a different direction. After applying and hearing back from many universities, God had not called me to any of them. I was so confused as to where God wanted me to go and what to study in order to bring Him glory.
The first time I read about the World Race I was amazed. The second time I read about it and really put some thought into, I was terrified. I was beginning to realize the magnitude of what God has built in me, and the World Race sounded very fitting. Of course anyone who knows me knows that I just may be the most indecisive person to ever walk this earth. So I put off decision making and tried my best to go on with my routine life. This however did not work for God. Thanksgiving day I was praying to God and thanking Him for everything He has blessed me with. I was thanking Him for How much of Himself He had revealed to me and for how much He loved me. In this moment I told God I am ready for His call and to follow Him where He led me. And you want to know what His response was? “I already told you.” Great. Awesome. Acting out of frustration, I politely informed God that I would be looking out for Him in everyone and everything that I encountered that day so I was able to fully understand where exactly He was calling me.
The rest of the day was relatively uneventful because it’s all about God’s timing. The next day I show up for work prepared for my long shift. While restocking ornaments (I work at Hallmark for those who are confused as to why I was handling ornaments in November) a co-worker and I were talking about God’s goodness. I told this co-worker a story of how I was filled with peace and joy one morning in Guatemala when I had the opportunity to view the most gorgeous sunset I had every seen. Without missing a beat she responded with, “I wonder if that overwhelming feeling of peace is God communicating to you that this is what He wants you to do with the rest of your life.” I can’t even tell you how shocked I was. He answered.
SO after much prayer and discernment, I am beyond excited to announce that God has called me on the World Race Gap Year. I will be traveling to Guatemala, Malaysia and Botswana for 9 months after my graduation from high school. I will be serving these people along with some pretty rad teammates that are amazing in every way possible. Please pray for all of us as we embark on God’s incredible journey and grow in faith, grace, and love.
Thanks for sticking all the way to the end!!
