The Lord says, “I will guide you and teach you in the way should live. I will watch over you and be your guide.”-Psalm 32:8
“He leads me on the path of righteousness for his name sake.”-Psalm 23:3
If you would have asked me when I was 18 years old what I thought my life would be like, it would have gone a little something like this:
1. Bachelors degree by 22
2. Graduate degree by 24
3. Engaged/married by 25
4. Travel and enjoy my new husband for 2 years
5. Purchase our first house
6. First kid by 28
7. More kids (ok. Maybe just 1)
8. Live Happily Ever After
However, God had other plans…
I once heard that if you want to make God laugh, tell him your life plans. Here it is October of 2016, I’m 30 years old and have yet to obtain #s 5-8 of my expected life story. (However, I have obtained both my Bachelors and Masters degrees so praise God for that!! **Disclaimer: The Masters degree didn’t come by 24 AND I sat out one semester.) Knowing that we serve an AMAZING God, I’m confident that he will bring those remaining desires at the appointed time. Now back to the story..
This past summer, I was able to embark on one of the most life changing experiences I have yet to encounter: MY FIRST MISSIONS TRIP. Never in a million years did I think that I would have the opportunity, let alone God choose me, to travel half way around the world to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus. I’d always heard about people going on missions trips and seeing them on television, but never did I think that I would be the one he would send and to the Middle East at that.
Rewind about two years ago, I began to have this urge to go and teach overseas in the Middle East. So, I applied via a teacher recruitment agency and was invited to attend the in-person interview, when something in my spirit began to nudge me (Let me just say that God will let you do your own thing, but he will ALWAYS bring you back to where HE WANTS you to be). So I began praying and asking God if this was HIM or ME. He politely said, “You!” (Talk about reality check!) So, I respectfully declined that offer and finished off the semester at the school I was teaching at.
The amazing thing about God is that he wanted me to go to the Middle East, but to bring glory to HIS Kingdom. He allowed me to the beauty of his world, but from a different perspective. For his word says “I know the plans I have for you. They are plans to prosper you and not to harm you. To give you a future and a hope.”-Jeremiah 29:11
After that trip, my life was forever changed. I knew that there was more that I needed to experience for his kingdom, however I didn’t know what it was or how it was going to come about. Before my missions trip to the Middle East, I had heard about the World Race, so I decided to look it up. Took the little quiz to see if I had what it took to be a World Racer. I did, but after that didn’t put much thought into it because my focus was on preparing for the current missions trip… Then one day, while doing devotion, I heard the Lord speak to me and say “let go of your desire to go overseas and teach. I have something better for you.” With that came peace and I knew it was from God, but what was the better? (Remember that God always has better plans!)
I began again researching the World Race, reading the blog posts, watching the YouTube videos. It was as if I couldn’t get enough of it. So, I decided to take a leap of faith and apply. Then the thoughts came: WHAT have I just gotten myself into???? After much prayer and consideration, the Lord gave me my confirmation. I had my interview and follow up and Walah! in 10 months, I’ll be departing on the journey and path that God specifically ordained and created just for me and my squad mates. Does it scare me? Yes it does! Do I feel equipped? Not really! Has the devil been putting those thoughts in my head that I’m not “Holy” enough? Yes he has! But one thing I do know is that if God calls you, he equips you for what you need.
I say all of this to say that we may have in our minds how we think our lives will and should be like. But can I tell you that our Heavenly Father has a destiny so much great for our lives? Opportunities that we can’t even imagine. The right doors, the right connections.They are all awaiting us if we would just surrender our “plans” to the MASTER’S PLAN. “For his ways are higher than our ways and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8). “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived-the things God has prepared for those who love him.”-1 Cor. 2:9
So, I’ve laid down my will and plan for my life and traded it for his plan and will for my life. In August, I will be on a journey to Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Moldova, Ukraine, Latvia all to be the hands and feet of Jesus!
Now THAT’s a plan for HIS name sake!
Consider partnering with me on this journey by subscribing to the blog and send me prayers along the way, or by donating financially. Any amount is greatly appreciated.
Many Blessings,
-Ramesha
xoxo
