For the last week, I've had Chris Tomlin's song I Will Follow (video below) on my mind and heart. It's a pretty convicting song. Am I really willing to go where God goes? Am I really willing to stay where God stays? Am I really willing to move with God? Am I really willing to love as God loves? Am I really willing to serve as God serves? Am I really willing to lose my life to follow God.
Up until last week I was able to say "yes" to all those questions except staying. . . because it means I stay here, and am not on the "front lines". Up until this past weekend I was extremely (and unhealthily) jealous of many friends of mine who are either in school/training to go out on the overseas mission field, or overseas now. But now I've changed, I'm willing to stay, and I am only slightly jealous (in a good way) of my friends.
I'm reading Exodus, and I read the last chapter last night, and had a really cool moment where something clicked. Let me set the stage for you: the Israelites had been freed from Egypt, God showed them some pretty awesome miracles, and now the the Holy Tabernacle is set up.
As I read the last few verses of Exodus I realize this is me, this is what the Lord is doing in my life!
"When the cloud rose from the Holy Tent, the Israelites would begin to travel, but as long as the cloud stayed on the Holy Tent they did not travel. They stayed in that place until the cloud rose. So the cloud of the LORD was over the Holy Tent during the day, and there was a fire in the cloud at night. So all the Israelites could see the cloud while they traveled."
Exodus 40:36-39 (NCV)
So, okay, not exactly. I don't see God in the form of a cloud or fire, but He does move me with His Holy Spirit and reveal Himself through His Spirit.
But here's the thing the Israelites picked up everything to follow the cloud God gave them as a guidance, and they stayed when the cloud of the Lord stayed.
In the same way I pick up everything (or at least what I can carry in my pack) and travel where the Holy Spirit leads. And I stay where the Holy Spirit stays. . .
Right now Jesus is keeping me here in the States with my family. This is where He wants me. However, He will not keep me here forever. In September, He is taking me to Central America — possibly Honduras, around December He is leading me to Asia — probably Thailand, and close to March He is guiding me to Africa — hopefully South Africa.
This Immersion trip is my next step, what I'm called and preparing to do. I need your help to make this a reality. I can't leave this September unless I've raised $11,900. Will you please pray about financially supporting me on this trip? If you feel lead to send me money please click the "Support Me!" tab to the left of the page and select "The Passport" in the drop down box.
"Great faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It's simply taking God at His word and taking the next step."
~Joni Eareckson Tada
