There is a story in the bible about a man, Peter, walking on water. But before he did it, Jesus did. You see, the disciples are in a boat with the storm raging and waves crashing over. But in all this they see a figure in the distance. When they call out to it, Jesus appears. Peter testing God’s power and his own resilience, he asks him to let him walk on water as well. Jesus takes Peter’s outreached hand. But when Peter looks at the world around him, he begins to sink into the waves. He calls out to God and in turn God asks him why he let his faith waiver. If he stays focused on the Lord, he will not drown. I get a lot of questions about my decision to go on a mission trip right before college. Especially when there are so may local outreaches I could do: rescue missions, in-state mission trips, serving at church camp. But for me, this mission trip is more than an upcoming college semester or taking kids from one destination to the next at camp. In applying to the world race, I knew I would attend a late orientation. I knew I wouldn’t be able to work to make money for college. But I believe that when I keep my eyes focused on God, everything will be OK. Not because of a Wednesday night sermon or an ABC’s booklet on baptism, but because God has showed up in my life in the tiniest moments. I saw him in the faces of the people in Mexico. I see him in the sunrise as I drive to school. I see him in the person who holds open a door for me. I see him in scholarship money and college provision. God is showing up in my life because I reached out my hand and held on. Therefore, when I go to Thailand, I won’t be worried about orientation and packing. I won’t stress over move in dates and class registration. I will be seeing God all around me. I will see what no college degree or paycheck can show you. I will see God’s love in its purest form. And I will brace the storm knowing he is with me. You see, the reason mission work is called outreach isn’t because people are reaching out to you. It’s because you are reaching out to them.
