Being all there

At 13 I knew I wanted to go to Africa and wanted to hop up right then. My parents have always been so supportive and helpful, and since I was still a pretty little kid, their better judgement was to encourage me to wait on it. Keep praying. Give it time. They told me there was a whole lot that needed to be done right here. At the time that wasn't really the advise I wanted, (I was looking for more of a 'hey, that's awesome, BAM, I'm in Africa!) but I knew they were so right. (Hm. I really don't remember feeling young back then. But yeah, if my daughter asked to go to Africa at 13, I probably would've advised that too.) While the desire didn't go away, I tucked it back, realizing that even though I felt sure God wanted me to go to Africa at some point, it didn't mean that was where He wanted me then. For then, here is right where He wanted me. Right where He needed me to serve. There's a quote in one of Louisa May Alcott's books, "Begin at home, lass, and you'll find missionary work enough for awhile," and I needed to take that to heart. Starting with the very basics, to ask myself what do I need to do to be more faithful in, say, doing my chores? My school? Further, what about honoring my parents?  Being a good sister? My walk with the Lord? Serving others? I needed to stop focusing so heavily on what I planned to do for God someday, and commit to what He asked me to do for Him today. Right here. Because wherever God has us in the very moment - that is our mission field. Serve with full hearts.

I found though that God gave me that desire 'too early' for a reason, and didn't want me to dismiss and ignore it just because the timing was off. (If that was the case, psh, we'd never say 'yes' to anything! Patience is almost always involved.) He showed me that I could use that time to get involved by, well, supporting mission teams, sponsorships, learning about the country, reading books that would be so helpful for better decision making, praying, saving money, etc etc....you see, "it's all about being faithful where we are and refusing to quit until we see the vision God placed in our hearts become a reality."* I learned that although He wasn't giving the 'go' just yet and had/has plans for me in the here and now, He also wanted me to prepare for what future work He may have in store. I think He uses that strategy in a lot of cases..

This is a hard thing to do and I'm still having to work on it, daily. Trying to learn the lesson of fully living where I stand and giving it my gusto, with Him as guide. Being committed and open hearted and fully responsive to the responsibilities He's given me for each and every new day. It's a full and beautiful task.

Whether in an orphanage in Africa or at the grocery store or at the kitchen sink...

It's right where God has me for the time and doesn't want one moment of it to go to waste. 

Be all there.

 

*from You're Made For a God-Sized Dream, Holley Gerth