I can hear the footsteps of my King. I can hear His heartbeat beckoning. In my darkness He has set me free. Now I hear the Spirit calling me. He’s calling, “Wake up, Child, it’s your turn to shine, you were born for such a time as this.”
SO I GO.
If my calculations are correct… then I leave for my year around the world in somewhere around 64 hours. I’m sitting amidst packs of bandaids, my iPod, toms shoes, my Bible, pepto-bismol, and other World Race essentials, trying to figure out how in the world I’m going to fit any clothes in my pack. I have my to do list, which includes double checking Power of Attorney stuff, letting the bank know not to cancel my account when I purchase rice from Carlos in Bolivia or Pad Thai in Bangkok, and figuring out how to get enough malaria medication to keep me alive this year. My mind is spinning, my heart is racing just a little, and there are frequent five minute periods of time where I just stare at this list or this pile, trying to figure out what potion or spell will turn me into Mary Poppins, or better yet Hermione, so I can fit my tent in this little bag. Details, details, details. Not always my strong point…
But then… I pick up a copy of Relevant magazine (World Race article in the last issue, shameless plug). The title of the REJECT APATHY edition is “How To Change The World.” Oddly enough, a relevant article, seemingly matched with today’s Chinese food fortune cookie about my “greatest journey beginning with a single step.” I see quotes from sex slaves. Articles about sustainable agriculture. Projects to get water to those who die every day of preventable disease. People groups who don’t have a single word of scripture in their heart language.
Oh YEAH… almost forgot what I was doing for a second. These next couple days are NOT about getting prescriptions filled, cleaning my room, and clearing up my hard drive to store pictures for the year. Sure, those things need to get done, but they are not my reason for waking up tomorrow. My reason for waking up tomorrow is the little girl who was just sold by her mother into slavery because she had to find a way to feed her family. It is for the old man on the street corner in Bolivia who’s once guitar-strumming hands are now crippled with arthritis and he cannot find any income or food. It is for the orphan in Africa who doesn’t have any idea what it means to be held, let alone loved by His Father. And most of all, it is because our King is made much of when that little girl, or that old man, or that orphan, get to experience His love and compassion as we are His hands and feet. So even if my hands are not full of money, they are full of healing. Even if my feet are not covered by medical insurance, they have surrendered, and will go where He goes, and stay where He stays.
So here we go, Lord… I’m Yours. Send me, use me, break me, sustain me, teach me, mold me… have Your way.
For such a time as this.
(side note: i’m leaving Wednesday for Florida to meet up with the squad. we have a couple days there to chill and get our hearts more focused after the chaos of preparing before we head to Ecuador. keep us in prayer as the prep transitions from little details to the reality of the pain in this world and what it means to play our part in bringing the Kingdom to earth! aaaaah, here we go!!)
Hey Stephanie! We will be following you via this blog and praying for you, your team and those you meet along the way. We know our Father is HUGE, ever so capable and so full of love for you. Let Him shine through you! Let the journey begin!
Stephanie, we will be praying for you the entire way! You are going to do some wonderful things for the Lord and come back with a new and greater love for God through your experience. Be safe and know there are many praying.
Stephanie, how awesome that you have chosen to follow Him on this journey around the world to neighbors and nations!! I can’t wait for the year to pass so I can hear about all the opprotunities you had to spread His Word and do His Work! My prayers along with many others will be part of my daily devotions with the Lord, knowing that when 2 or more are gathered, He hears and answers our prayers. So you go….
Dear Stephanie-
It is so wonderful to hear how God is and will use you during this year. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Marjorie