Getting Out of the Boat (An Open Letter to New Missionaries)

Just last week one of my nieces went on her first mission trip. Having just had my own first mission trip experience, I was very excited for her and all that she would experience. Her supporters were invited to write her a letter that would be given to her while on mission, so I did. I'm posting it here to share the sentiments within with all new missionaries embarking on their first trip or for people considering taking their first mission trip. Of course, even if you don't fall into one of those categories, you are welcome to read and comment as well! My trip to Haiti changed me deeply in profound ways. My hope is the same for all who decide to follow God's call to "get out of the boat."

I'm No Good (and neither are you!)

Oh, how we love to question God; both believers and non-believers alike. We all seem to believe that we have the right to a complete explanation of all things and we have the audacity to think that we would also be able to fully understand those things once explained. Can we speak and make the land produce animals? No? Then I think it's fair to say God knows more than you or I could ever possibly understand just based on that alone.

I'm Done.

I've been a serious follower of Christ for years now. I do everything I can to stay on God's path for me and exemplify Jesus in everything I do. However, one area I have always seemed to get caught up on was this world itself.  I could never honestly say that I wouldn't be more than a little miffed if Jesus returned before I had a chance to see my kids off to college, or hold my grandchildren, or live in a house with my husband and no one else.....until Friday.

Did you hear that?

So many times I have wondered, and asked, and prayed, for God to show me His will for me. I've asked for guidance in all kinds of situations; big and small, short-term and long reaching. So many times I've opted to do nothing (sometimes we Christians call this "waiting") because I just couldn't be sure of what it was that God was calling me to do. This morning however, I have heard Him loud and clear, despite the fact that I have earplugs in to block out the noise of my kids who have decided to get up hours before the sun.

After Jesus rose from the dead, He made several appearances to key people in His life. The third time He payed a visit to some of His disciples, He had a conversation with Simon Peter that went like this: 

15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. (Jn 21:15-17) 

Did you hear Him? He's practically drilling it into Peter's head the way I hound my kids to cover their mouths when they sneeze. Three times He repeats himself, much to the chagrin of Peter. Three times He makes the connection: "If you love me, then you'll take care of my people." Now He's told me three times and, if you read the above, He's told you three times now as well. How many countless other times has He told me this before? Could His will for our lives really be that simple?

I believe it is. Sure, what follows has plenty of details but at the very core of what He asks us to do is this simple command. Everything He asks us to do can be boiled down to this very basic direction. If not, then I'd present to you that you're not in His will for you in the first place. If love for people isn't driving you to do what it is you think you're doing for God, then what is? This can be a real hard question to ask, but it must be done if you truly want to remain on the straight and narrow. I've found my true motivations to often be quite humbling, but facing the hard truth is what has brought me closest to God. I know without a doubt that if it weren't for Him and His Spirit living within me, I'd be an almost completely loveless person, for it is He who has put me back on the path of love time, and time again. And you know what? The more I step back on that path, the more my love for people grows. Funny how that works.

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

It's that simple. Don't try to make it more complicated than it is. Once you start to operate on this most basic level, God will take notice and lead you where He wants you to go, but you have to start here. I didn't wake up one morning and say "I'm going to go on a mission trip to Haiti!", it was a long walk I took with God that lead me to that place, and it started with me finally hearing what He'd been trying to say to me all along: "Take care of my sheep.", and acting on it.

Everyone can do something! A friend of mine started an organization called LOVE Locally to help raise money for a local crisis pregnancy center, my 7 year old had a charity birthday party and raised enough money to change the lives of 7 families through World Vision. No matter how little time or money you have, you can take care of people in some way. Who will it be today?

The Roundabout Way to Get a Dog.

"At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out. They obeyed the Lord's order, in accordance with his command through Moses." Numbers 9:23

A little while back, my husband and I were contemplating some serious changes for our family. We believed God was leading us to move into a new area in order to bring hope and light there. Things were moving right along and everything was falling into place. 

And then it stopped. 

The dog I swore I'd never get.

What I wouldn't give for a pillar of fire at this time! What happened? Did we do something wrong? Was this all just an exercise in obedience?  We're we wrong about where we thought the Lord was leading us? Perhaps it was just to get me to agree to get another dog. 

The truth is, I have no idea why we had to go through what we did. Maybe I'll know why in a month or a few years, but right now I'm left to wonder. However, as much as there is that I don't understand about this season, I feel there is one lesson that I've taken away already: Be happy to be where you are; you can be a light right here, right now. OK, well that is sort of two lessons, but whatever. :O)

I was rather content in our current location until the thoughts of moving into a much larger, newly remodeled historical home started being thrown around like candy at a parade. Each bite I took was sweeter than the last and before I knew it, I had tired of the home God had blessed us with not that long ago. Suddenly, this 3 bedroom bungalow was suffocating our 6 person family and we simply had to get out. Here's where we (my husband and I both) veered off course. In our minds, our goals had shifted. It was a very slow and gradual shift. So slow that we didn't really notice it until after all the hullabaloo died down. As much as we tried to keep our eyes set on the Lord's will, we were blinded, at least in part, by greed. The desire to "move on up" much sooner than we'd ever thought possible started overshadowing our desire to be the light of Jesus in a dark place. We still wanted to serve the Lord there and we sought Him through prayer and council the entire time (and still are), but we ended up feeling as though there was a point where we were more concerned about the house itself above all other things.

Now that this train has slowed to a stop, at least for the moment, and now that the excitement has died down, I can see clearly again. I love this house as much as I did the first day I saw it, despite the fact that most would say it's a bit too small for us now. Also, surprisingly enough for those that know me, I love that mutt pictured above. (Former die-hard cat person right here.) Do I think this means that God won't ask us to try to trust him with a big move again in the future? Only God knows! I'm trying not to focus on that. What I am trying to focus on is what He wants us to be doing in the time He has allotted for us here. Clearly we're not done. 

Not everything God calls us to do is going to be as exciting as a big change in location or as "glamorous" as being "that family" who did "that crazy thing for God". It's been my experience that more often than not, God calls us to work behind the scenes, in the dirt, in our own backyard, when no one else is paying any attention. There is so much suffering and need right here, right underneath our noses. We can shine just as brightly here as we can anywhere because our light is The Lord, and He is everywhere.

How are you a light in your community and/or surrounding areas? Where has God lead you to lead others? I'd love to hear about it! Comment below and let me know!