The past 3 years of my life a word that has stuck with me, encouraged me, & just really defined where I have been in my life has been Forgiven. I still don't completely comprehend this word. I don't get how God forgave me or how He loves someone as wretched as myself. To look at the cross and actually realize what it means . . . I have no words
Yesterday I was pondering about my Africa trip last summer. Side Note: I get to go on another trip this summer for 2 1/2 weeks. The original plan was to go to Northern Africa (specifically Tunisia) and learn about Islam and then fly to Southern France to put what we had learned into practice. Walk the streets and share the gospel with those who don't believe. If you've been keeping up with the news you probably know that Tunisia probably isn't the best place to go right now. The entire country is a mess. What interested me in this trip to begin with was the Africa part to be honest. Now that part of the trip will be spent elsewhere in which I haven't found out yet. I'm still very excited though!
As I was thinking about my time last year in Republic of the Congo I recalled all the emotions that I went through while there. Frustration. Disappointment. Surrender. Peace. Once I returned home my thoughts were all over the place. I was still at a place in my life that I had no idea where God wanted me to serve long term. I was a little aggravated that God didn't reveal it to me. What I've come to realize is that He reveals His will in His OWN time. God does not live by a time table like I do. He reveals it little by little. Sometimes His words can just hit you like a ton of bricks. At other times it's soft and subtle.
Since last summer my passion for missions has grown & every time someone says the words "Africa" I get chills all over my body. I'm not saying this is God. It's not even something I can explain. It may not even make sense. But I dare you to put a picture of an African person in front of me and talk about Africa & I will literally burst into tears. It's taking all that I have in me right now not to cry while writing this. I'm broken. I'm broken for these people that haven't even heard the sweet sweet name "Jesus" I hate to say this, but the more and more I live in the US the more and more I hate it. I shouldn't be angry with people that don't know. Not everyone has seen what I have. Not everyone has a passion placed in their heart such as mine. But if you are a Christian & you know about it, you have absolutely no reason to stay here and be complacent. Why don't Christians take His Word literally? When Jesus Himself said, "Go and make disciples of all nations" HE MEANT IT. These were the last words Christ told us. Let that sink in.
Now don't get all crazy on me. I know not everyone is called to the mission field. I know there are people that aren't Christians in the states and they need him too. Well Amen! Those who aren't called to the mission field better be doing something about it. (Myself included while I'm still here) I'm tired of Christians that are doing nothing. There are so many people out there that need Him! I'm not perfect. I worry about my petty things just as much as the next person. But let's put it in context. People are starving! People don't have clean water! People are dying of diseases that can be prevented! People are relying on witch doctors for healing when Christ is the one that can heal ALL of their needs! & oh, I'm stressing out b/c I have a paper to write? Beth, please.
Sorry I go on rants occasionally. But just take a look at what you have. A job, a home, food on the table, running water, a car, a Starbucks. If you are not a missionary you need to be praying daily for those that are out there being persecuted for their belief. Those who gave up the American dream to participate in something larger. I don't even know what this blog was supposed to accomplish. I ramble and don't make sense a lot of the time. But I'm so so thankful God has broken me. That He has placed such a passion in my heart. There is a reason for me being on this earth. & once I discovered that I became a new person. I can't WAIT to get out of the States. Have you ever had something you try so hard to reach? There is a finish line, yet you have weights and people pulling you back. Well the mission field is the finish line & that extra baggage is school, graduation and taking the boards. Once that's done I have nothing holding me back. &. I. Can't. Wait!
Yesterday I was pondering about my Africa trip last summer. Side Note: I get to go on another trip this summer for 2 1/2 weeks. The original plan was to go to Northern Africa (specifically Tunisia) and learn about Islam and then fly to Southern France to put what we had learned into practice. Walk the streets and share the gospel with those who don't believe. If you've been keeping up with the news you probably know that Tunisia probably isn't the best place to go right now. The entire country is a mess. What interested me in this trip to begin with was the Africa part to be honest. Now that part of the trip will be spent elsewhere in which I haven't found out yet. I'm still very excited though!
As I was thinking about my time last year in Republic of the Congo I recalled all the emotions that I went through while there. Frustration. Disappointment. Surrender. Peace. Once I returned home my thoughts were all over the place. I was still at a place in my life that I had no idea where God wanted me to serve long term. I was a little aggravated that God didn't reveal it to me. What I've come to realize is that He reveals His will in His OWN time. God does not live by a time table like I do. He reveals it little by little. Sometimes His words can just hit you like a ton of bricks. At other times it's soft and subtle.
Since last summer my passion for missions has grown & every time someone says the words "Africa" I get chills all over my body. I'm not saying this is God. It's not even something I can explain. It may not even make sense. But I dare you to put a picture of an African person in front of me and talk about Africa & I will literally burst into tears. It's taking all that I have in me right now not to cry while writing this. I'm broken. I'm broken for these people that haven't even heard the sweet sweet name "Jesus" I hate to say this, but the more and more I live in the US the more and more I hate it. I shouldn't be angry with people that don't know. Not everyone has seen what I have. Not everyone has a passion placed in their heart such as mine. But if you are a Christian & you know about it, you have absolutely no reason to stay here and be complacent. Why don't Christians take His Word literally? When Jesus Himself said, "Go and make disciples of all nations" HE MEANT IT. These were the last words Christ told us. Let that sink in.
Now don't get all crazy on me. I know not everyone is called to the mission field. I know there are people that aren't Christians in the states and they need him too. Well Amen! Those who aren't called to the mission field better be doing something about it. (Myself included while I'm still here) I'm tired of Christians that are doing nothing. There are so many people out there that need Him! I'm not perfect. I worry about my petty things just as much as the next person. But let's put it in context. People are starving! People don't have clean water! People are dying of diseases that can be prevented! People are relying on witch doctors for healing when Christ is the one that can heal ALL of their needs! & oh, I'm stressing out b/c I have a paper to write? Beth, please.
Sorry I go on rants occasionally. But just take a look at what you have. A job, a home, food on the table, running water, a car, a Starbucks. If you are not a missionary you need to be praying daily for those that are out there being persecuted for their belief. Those who gave up the American dream to participate in something larger. I don't even know what this blog was supposed to accomplish. I ramble and don't make sense a lot of the time. But I'm so so thankful God has broken me. That He has placed such a passion in my heart. There is a reason for me being on this earth. & once I discovered that I became a new person. I can't WAIT to get out of the States. Have you ever had something you try so hard to reach? There is a finish line, yet you have weights and people pulling you back. Well the mission field is the finish line & that extra baggage is school, graduation and taking the boards. Once that's done I have nothing holding me back. &. I. Can't. Wait!
