When was the last time you followed God to a place where you did not know exactly where He was leading you or you did not have expectations for the outcome of following? You had questions but you did not have all the answers. Sometimes our faith can become too planned and structured. Since 2009, when I left my corporate job at Nestle and headed out on the Appalchian Trail for my first longer mission trip, my faith has been stretched. I don’t always have all the answers and my trust has increased significantly!
Genesis 12:1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. Abram also did not have all the answers but he was faithful and followed where the Lord led him.
After hiking the Appalachian Trail, many people have told me about The Way of St. James (El Camino de Santiago). A friend once had me over for movie night to watch the movie The Way. In a blog I wrote back in March of 2015, Revelations Thus Far I talk about when I knew I would hike the El Camino de Santiago one day.
Why I am going to hike the El Camino de Santiago? To go where the Father is leading me. To share His love with everyone that I meet. To be light in this dark world.
I am not the first who has left their life to follow after the Lord’s call – it’s not culturally normal but it’s Kingdom normal:
Matthew 4:18-20 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Luke 24:25-29 go everywhere and preach the gospel – wait in Jerusalem until the power of the Holy Spirit comes upon them.
We’ve also been instructed to take the gospel and love of Christ with us as we go:
Acts 8:1-8 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
I went to Liberty University for International Missions and then started working in the corporate world, that was my mission field but then God called me to more.
Some people think I just like travel and seeing the world and yes that is a perk but that is not my purpose.
Abraham was called to Cannon but stopped in Heron – they left Ur and did not make it. I want to go because I’ve been asked to go!
Leave your family – called to the unknown. He had a path in front of him. God said I am going to show you where to settle.
To walk into the unknown – Abram had to hear from God, he had to know God, he had to be a worshipper of God.
Learning along with Jesus – His disciples were not trained, they followed and learned along the way- willing to say yes! They did not have to figure it out to follow- preach, heal, deliver – be engaged in constant ministry.
Learn to live in Trust
Trust along the way
If God has called me here – He’s going to empower and enable me
The Bible is full of people who have made mistakes
God doesn’t need to be helped out- wait for His timing!
Make mistakes and grow – that’s where learning comes and grace
Embrace the challenge that He’s giving
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
Where am I most comfortable?
Where do you think You’ve got it all figured out?
What have I heard about going?
Who is it that you can go with, to be the hands and feet of Jesus?
