Tried and True

I tend to think that I am a pretty smart person. Some people are just born really smart and that’s great for them - others have to learn. People learn things in three different ways: visually, auditory or kinesthetically. I can learn by reading the new Erwin McManus book, Wide Awake, or by reading through the book of Romans. I can also learn by listening to a professor or listening to my pastor. Both ways are great ways but I learn more from actually getting my hands dirty and getting put into action. I can do all the watching of football games that I want but it isn’t until I am thrown into the game that I begin to see the areas that need improvements or the areas where I am strong.

As many of you know, I have the opportunity to go overseas for 2 years with hopes of turning it into a career thing. The goal of a missionary is to connect with people and then share the Good News of Jesus Christ. It is an amazing opportunity but I cant help but be selfish in thinking about it. As awesome as it would be to see lost people come to know the Lord, I am also excited about my own personal growth that will happen during these times. The verses in James are always on my mind:

James 1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of any kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may by mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

I know that without a doubt that it is going to be really tough to be halfway around the world - away from family, away from friends, away from my sports teams, away from comfort. If I could, I would bring everyone and everything with me but unfortunately I cannot do that.

On the flipside, I can’t wait to get thrown into the game.
I want to be tossed into a world of lost souls.
I want to see God move through towns and villages.
I want to see lives changed and only be able to attribute it to the Living God.
I want to be tried.
I want to have no idea what to say or what I am supposed to do.
I want to be scared of what is going to happen.
I want to be tested because I know that will grow my faith and trust in the Lord.
I want to be refined and purified.

I Peter 1:6-7: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Through this experience, I hope to become mature in my faith and see a whole new God – the God that created me and desires a true and deep relationship with me. The God that I have come to know is amazing but there is so much more to find. Like it says in Matthew – “Seek and you shall find.”

The journey will be tough. It will have its ups and downs – its times of laughing and its times of tears. I know that in those rough times, I can rest in His promises.

Isaiah 41:9-10:
“I took you from the ends of the earth,
From its farthest corners I called you.
I said, “You are my servant;”
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”