Hi Everyone,
Happy New Year!!! 2013!!!! I can't even believe how much my life has changed this past year. I never thought that I would have traveled the world and move to China all in one year. I realized that this year will be my 5 year mark since high school and thats good cause for some serious reflection time. It made me wonder about the what ifs?
What if I had chosen to go away for college? What if…? What if…? What if….? Well, I know one thing. Jesus definitely had his hand in my life and has guided me to where I am now. My life is a lot more awesome than I had ever imagined it could be. I remember as a senior in High School, I just figured I would go to college, graduate, get a job, get married, etc. Your normal run of the mill, follow the expectations of society kind of thoughts.
It's kind of funny. I was walking to a local coffee shop last week with a volunteer and she was trying to encourage me. During the conversation, she made an assumption that made me chuckle. She said something along the lines of I could have never foreseen myself being sent to China to do ministry. I found it funny because once upon a time it was a dream of mine. Moldova and China are the two countries that have always been close to my heart. When I was in third grade, I met a lady who worked as a missionary in China and that started my passion for China and missions. For most of my life I have had this crazy obsession for Chinese culture and the Lost Girls of China. Its just too bad I never spent any time or energy studying the language. That would've certainly been useful right about now 🙂
Even though I never really vocalized it, being a missionary was one of my childhood dreams. Though I didn't label it as missionary at the time. I just knew I wanted to grow up and help people. It was something I've thought about and considered through the years but never pursued. The lies started to creep in early on. Something about being a girl and the world telling me I needed to have a good job, a husband, and money to be a successful member of society. I find it amusing that one of my biggest objections for being a missionary was cause I was a girl. An unmarried girl. Goodness gracious, the first missionary I can remember meeting was a SINGLE woman who has dedicated her life to sharing the good news with people around the world yet for a long time I thought that girls had to be married before they could go into the field. And its not just me. The enemy has sold this line to several women in the past and it works. I spoke at a Ladies Tea this past fall at my church and met a lady who felt the call early in her 20s but ignored it due to lies. Fear had crept in. She had been told girls don't just go off to Africa. It's not safe and what about money? Who would possibly support her? A single woman?
Missionary isn't exactly on the front page of possible career options they give you in High School. Honestly, from what I have seen, its not something thats often addressed with young people. Though I do think this is slowly changing as more young people are venturing into the mission field. I come from a “missions minded” church background but I can count on one hand how many times we were encouraged to pursue ministry as a career during my youth years.
So, are we supporting individuals who feel the call? Men and Women?
I'm talking about before the go. Maybe before they even know they're going…Are we making sure they're being discipled? Are we teaching them the ways of the Lord? Are we teaching them the Word and how to meditate on the Word? Are we encouraging them to evangelize and share the good news? Are we encouraging them to use their spiritual gifts? Are we encouraging them in their dreams and the calling on their lives? But mostly are we following Jesus example of discipleship?
Are we supporting them once they've gone?
Not just financially. Beyond that. Do we check in with them to see how they are doing emotionally, physically, spiritually? Do we send encouragement? Do we ask how we can pray for them?
I'm not sure. That was quite the rabbit trail but please think about it. What is your role in the Kingdom and are you following the calling on your life? Whether it be ministering to your neighbors, the youth, the elderly, etc. Point Blank: Are you doing what God is asking you to do?
Later on I came to realize that people need more than what I can give. They need a divine appointment with someone to be introduced to Jesus. It's just so funny for me to look back and see Gods hand in all of this. To see how He has slowly been preparing me for this time and for whatever the future holds. So, I can't wait to see what God has in store for me this year. Have a Blessed Day!
-Rebecca
