What a year that was! I never imagined I’d be able to say that I’ve traveled around the world! The saying that God doesn’t call the equipped but equips the called was proven true in my life as I ventured from country to country and culture to culture wearing my relationship with Christ on my sleeve. This past year I climbed an active volcano, explored one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, learned how to ride a motor bike in crazy South-east Asian traffic, went bouldering and climbed a dozen waterfalls. I taught English to Kids on 3 different continents and in 8 different countries varying between 6 different languages, I shared the gospel with Muslims, Buddhist monks, Jews from Israel and world traveling atheists and in Malawi I preached my very first sermon. I witnessed a prostitute leave behind the sex industry and return to her Creators loving arms and saw God provide in ways I never imagined.
Pretty crazy year right? Now let me point out that every single thing I just listed and all the amazing feats I witnessed and took part in the past year would have never been possible without God. Ya see, there’s nothing truly good that I could ever do on my own. It’s not I but Christ in me. God has big things for His children but He doesn’t just leave His kids alone to do His work. He equips us. He has placed His Spirit within us and it’s only by Him that we are able to do the things God has called us to.
So don’t think that I’m some sort of “super Christian” for going on a mission trip because there’s no such thing. There’s Christians and non-Christians. Children of God and children of the world. People who follow the Spirit of the Lord and people who follow the spirit of the world. So for those of you who have faith in Jesus realize that the same Spirit who empowered Jesus to do His ministry is the same Spirit who lives in you and that’s the Spirit that will empower you to do the things God has called you to do today. You don’t have to go to some crazy far away place either. If God calls you there then awesome, GO! But there’s plenty of work to do where God has you today.
