A Journey That Lies Ahead

A little over a year ago, I stood with multiple other students at Cross 2013 as David Platt challenged us to consider how we could be used in God's purpose to reach those internationally with the gospel. From that point, it slipped to the back of my mind as I entered a busy Spring semester flowing into the Summer and even Fall. I did, though, share with you all (http://bit.ly/1wtxnip) how God had been moving in my life and calling me into some type of ministry.

Recently, as I have been seeking out formidable options for my future pending graduation in May, I have continually come back to the idea of serving in some capacity overseas for a time, considering I'm single and free from obligation in the US. These thoughts have lead me to the Journeyman project. This a two to three year overseas placement with a current long term missionary to serve alongside them and see what long term missions could look like. It is for 21-26 year olds who have graduated from college and is through the International Mission Board.

After rediscovering this project, I began praying and considering if I could pursue this with my life. With support from my family and friends, I began the pre-application and awaited a response to see if I'd be accepted to move onto the actual application phase. After about two weeks, I received a call and was accepted to complete the application. It is an incredible honor and blessing to be even considered to apply for such a project and see what the Lord may teach me and how He may use me for His glory in this.

So now comes the patient, waiting game. The application is due in August and I will find out in September if I am approved for the next phase that includes interviews and job placement in October and full approval in November. Then if I am fully accepted, I would go for training in January and leave at some point following. This is becoming very exciting and semi-cool to be in a waiting game and going with whatever happens over the next few months. I've been settled in indecisiveness for such a time now and I've reached a point of decision-making and looking forward to what might come. I trust the Lord will work and lead according to His will whether I stay stateside or serve internationally. I pray that I may honor Him in whatever role in which I end up and ultimately pray He receive the glory and praise. I ask that you join me in our calling to serve and make disciples for His namesake on Earth and pray that His will be done throughout the application phase and possible the Journeymen project. As we continue in life and whatever may come, let us remember God's word through Paul in Romans:

"For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (Romans 15:18-21 ESV)

The Culmination of Indecisiveness and the Future

Some of us have reached the point of culmination where our indecisiveness collides with the end of our college career. We are now, according to Instagram and Twitter, nearly a couple months away before we take those exhilarating yet fearsome steps across the stage to receive the document we have strived for the past four (+) years of our lives. This is great. Really great. So they say. Yet, we all don't feel that way. We have these anxious thoughts and impatience of what might come on the other side of that stage as we exit into the full "adult life." Changing our entire world potentially entering into the workforce or entering school yet again. Right now we have the worries of awaiting the response letters to whether we're accepted into programs or the countless Google searches in hopes that a job opening might appear. And on top of all of that, finishing the coursework to earn the degrees to enter into the abyss of what is to come.

Through all of this though, one thing is sure. One thing has been sure throughout all of our major switches, life goals, relationship triumphs and failures, and the growing periods we have walked through during these trying and fulfilling years on campus: Christ. He has been guiding and shaping us throughout each stage of this journey we have encountered and why would He end now?

We are promised throughout Scripture time and time again of His faithfulness to His people. Throughout the trials Israel faced and the countless times they turned from the Lord, He still remained steadfast.

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save." (Isaiah 46:3-4 ESV)

He keeps His promises to those He has called. Even after countless generations and failure amongst the people of Israel, the Lord our God bore them still. Carried and saved them. This same God does the same for us. And because of His steadfastness, we can trust in the future and rid ourselves of the anxieties that plague us.

This is a very difficult task. Patience while we await what may happen to us is hard. I am in a period of waiting as I embark on an extensive year application. Waiting can be rough, especially in our nature of doubts and worrisome thoughts of what our lives might become. But when we reach the point of this understanding:

"For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living." (Romans 14:7-9 ESV)

We are Christ's. What a powerful thing to behold. Our lives are His. He died to save and redeem us and we live to Him because of that sacrificial gift bestowed upon our lives. So our anxieties and worries about what is to come need only to be cast upon our Lord who is the keeper of our lives in life and death.

But this is difficult to do. How do we forgo our nature in worrisome thoughts and doubt?

We begin in prayer. That the Lord would remove our anxieties and we may trust in His everlasting promises that are our's in Him.

We continue through the reading of His Word. To continue in growth and knowledge of what His living word may teach us about His promises and faithfulness as a continued reminder.

We live our lives as we are called. We are placed in certain situations and places on our campuses and have been given certain gifts. So we must continue strong through the end of our times here that we may honor and glorify Him in all things. Then trust in May that whatever happens, He is sovereign and in control. Trust in this promise today my fellow seniors as we continue to the end that is only the beginning of our lives.

As We Gather Again...

December of 2013 a few thousand college students gathered in Louisville, KY for the Cross conference, which stands to equip and mobilize students for their role in reaching the nations with the Gospel. As my readers then, I asked for your prayer over us in how God may shape and fashion us for His calling in this upon our lives and the work He would do during the few days we spent there.

In a few short weeks we will be returning to the conference, but in our respective cities and campuses, simulcasting Undaunted, seeing how the Lord may equip and move in us even more for our role in making His name be glorified amongst all peoples. 

As we gather once again around God's Word to seek understanding and insight into His purposes for missions I ask for your prayer in preparation and throughout in a few ways for those who will be tuning into the simulcast: 

1. Pray for those who attended Cross 2013 and committed to seeking missions as a viable option for what God is calling them to do. As they return, they may still be in waiting to see what is next or in the process of pursuing a missional life internationally and what they may learn through God's Word in preparation for this. 

2. Pray for the new attendees and what God will have in store for their lives as they seek to honor Him. I know personally I grew a great deal at Cross 2013 and I'm sure can learn even more this year. I'm excited to see how the Lord may work through those who have yet to attend and what He may teach and place on their hearts through this time we have together. 

3. Pray for the speakers. As all are very prominent in our Christian society, pray that they may continue to be humbled before our God and used to bring Him glory through the teaching of His Word and the encouragement they are bringing to students calling us to step out in faith and place a blank check before God with our lives as Platt spoke of during Cross 2013.

4. Pray for those already on the field. Pray for the fruitful laborers scattered across the globe who are working patiently and diligently to bring the gospel to those who haven't heard. Pray for their safety in Christ and that they may continue to seek Christ and trust in His sovereignty through all things they face cross-culturally. 

5. Pray for the senders. Pray for those who are called to stay and reach those in their surrounding. And as they reach those placed in their workplaces and cities that God would work in them and provide in a way to where they are able to support and uplift our brothers and sisters serving internationally through prayer and monetary support to where they may continue the work God is calling them. 

I am extremely thrilled to see how God may move and work through us and all others gathering around our screens February 27th to tune into this simulcast. May God be honored and praised by our time together that we will be moved to act in bringing the Gospel to those who have not heard.