Listen. Focus. Obey.

God usually speaks to me through words. Over a period of time, I’ll continually hear a word that sticks out to me over and over, and I’ll know that God is trying to tell me something. During my first international mission trip in 2016, I heard the word listen. Over that next year of hearing the word listen, I knew that God was calling me to work in ministry in some way. The next summer of 2017, I heard the word focus. I knew God was asking me to focus more and more on Him. The fall semester of my senior year of college in 2018, He gave me the word obey. Whatever it is that God is calling me to listen and focus on, I must obey and go where He leads. Over the last six months, I have been reflecting on what it means to truly be a follower and disciple of Christ. Matthew 16:24 is the verse that keeps coming to me. 

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

 I have always been interested in international missions, but the timing has never been right. In the last two months, God has really been putting mission work on my heart. I hear it everywhere. He has been speaking through podcasts, sermons, scripture, devotions, bible study groups, and some of my friends around me. I decided that it was time to look into the World Race more closely. From there, everything began to fall into place in exactly the timing that God had intended. 

 I now have the opportunity to serve in international mission work for 11 months. For 11 months, I will be giving up my job, leaving my family and friends, and taking up my cross to follow God wherever He is leading me. For the last several years, I have been listening, focusing, and trying to obey God’s call on my life. It has led me to some wonderful ministry opportunities. I want to grow in my desire to know God more as I serve His people. I am so excited to begin to sow this seed that I know the Lord has planted in me for mission work. I know it won’t be easy, but God didn’t promise us that following Christ would be easy. He said that it would be difficult but promises that He will be with us. 

So, I am choosing to step out in obedience to God’s call. My team and I will have the opportunity to do ministry alongside the people in different countries across South America, Asia, and Africa. I am excited to see how God will move and work in our hearts and the hearts of those we will be in service with. I am ready and willing to be a disciple for Jesus Christ. I am ready and willing to take up my cross and follow Him.