Why I Keep Going Back...

As many of you probably know, last year I was blessed with the opportunity to spend a week in Guatemala on a mission trip with my church. Going into the trip, I never expected to return with my former views and plans completely destroyed. In the shortest explanation possible, my eyes were forced open to see a whole new perspective of God’s glory and love.

Returning home from Guatemala was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I have no words to describe how it felt: only that it was similar to leaving a place knowing that you left something behind, while having no means of returning to get it. In the weeks following the trip, there was not an hour that passed where I did not think about how I was going to return. It wasn’t even so much that I missed the actual trip, but I missed the warmth of the Guatemalans and the love they poured out endlessly. I experienced a type of heavenly joy that is indescribable and I could not simply return to my previous “normal” life. I found a discontentment in being home and I had a zeal to find whatever it was that I had left behind.

After being granted an opportunity to return to Guatemala, I raised $2400 in 2 weeks through God's incredible provision. I was able to spend 2 weeks this summer back in Guatemala with an organization called Adventures in Missions. Over the two weeks(I highly encourage you to read my previous post about my experiences), I experienced countless miracles and found the affirmation I needed: God has provided me with a call to missions.

The three weeks I have spent in Guatemala this past year have opened my eyes, when I didn’t even know they were closed in the first place. The Lord formed a place in my heart for the country of Guatemala, the people there, and I know without a doubt that I am being called to more. This holy discontentment has taught me to not find satisfaction in the things of this world; instead, it has lead me to a satisfaction through obedience to God. I have found that when we are seeking a relationship with God, we are not called to bring anything to the table. Instead, all He asks for is our obedience and through this, He multiplies the reward abundantly.

God did not design us to be confined to “one day” or to a physical church, but He designed us to be rooted in pursuit and action. I believe one of the most beautiful things about Christianity is that the church is not made up of a building, but it is made up of people. In addition to giving us unique gifts, God has also given us unique callings to serve His kingdom. I saw a quote from David Platt that said, “I used to wonder if God was calling me to adopt and then I realized God didn’t call any children to be orphans”. In this same way, although God does not call everyone to missions, He surely does not call anyone to live without hearing the depth of His love for them.

Guatemala has taught me that it is God’s desire that we would come together as believers and share His love with anyone who is willing to listen. God gave us missions to chase down His children with His grace that we may be Heaven‘s answer to prayers all around the world. As believers, we are given the fullness of God within us, and in turn we are blessed to be able to shine His light in all darkness. With His Spirit in us, we can work together to be an active church, fulfilling God’s glory to all parts of the world.

I am not saying you have to support missions or even support mine. My hope is only that you would see that God has called you to something greater, something that through obedience to Him, will yield incredible fruit. There is an urgent need for Christ all around the world and we are each being called to address it in different ways. As easy as it is to spread His word in this day, it is just as easy to turn a blind eye. Too many people have never heard the name of Jesus, and we are not using the resources we have to do more than just wait for “one day”.

I am not so naive to think that by my return to Guatemala, I am going to cause nation-wide change: but God can and He is already. We are blessed because He wants us to take part in the work He is doing, and through the privilege of knowing Him, we can take part in spreading the Gospel to all nations. I don’t have all of the words to explain my heart for Guatemala, but I can tell you that the abundance of love I found there is so clearly from the Father. I witnessed Him in great ways and discovered a desire to keep seeking Him more. I have no expectations for when I return this next time because I know that the Lord’s plans are far greater than anything I could plan for myself. I am so excited to watch in wonder of His glory when I return and continue to surrender in full obedience to His plan for my life.

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"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love."- 2 John 1:6

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