Rest
I've always desired to leave friends, family, home, along with everything else and fling myself into the unknown of missions. It's no coincidence that the Lord Jesus commanded us to "go and make disciples of all nations". He desires to be made known everywhere. This past summer I’d been preparing for Medical school but I also strongly hoped that a mission trip would call me away. While hanging out with friends one night a friend told me all about the World Race. I immediately recognized it as the trip I’d been looking hoping for. I knew 11 countries in 11 months would stretch and tear at my strength. We bring tents to sleep in and only as much clothing/gear as will fit in one internal-frame backpack. We stay anywhere and everywhere. Each squad is placed with a contact and given a job. The goal is to communicate the gospel in any way we can, using words if necessary.
Finding Christ (or rather, being found by Him) changes your life. It is the beginning of a relationship with a God who completely and totally understand you. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
You are loved and cherished, no matter how many times you mess up or how ugly you think you are. His promises will never leave you or forsake you. His love extends beyond understanding; while you were yet a sinner Christ died for you.
No matter how much sorrow has and continues to fill your heart, the Lord promises to replace it with unspeakable joy. You have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
Nothing can separate you from Him, neither deathnor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
He works all things for your good. For those who love God all things work for good.
You are immutable to the world, invincible, man and seas can do nothing to you. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
He gives you hope itself to hold in your right hand. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Missionary Jim Elliot wrote, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose". Translation: everything you can see right now will soon be gone forever, but eternal riches, which cannot be seen or touched, are available for the finding.
What choice do I have with a God such as this! How good he is to me. It is my joy to serve the Lord. I leave in January 2014 to spend 11 months ministering to some of the poorest and neediest corners of the globe. The Lord God is everywhere and his love follows us wherever we go. The gospel is powerful. It brings healing and purpose, love and hope, peace and joy.
Come ye nations! Taste and see that the LORD is good! Come ye who are weary. Come thou tempest-tost! See that Jesus loves you. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light! And you will find rest.
