I don't know if this ever happens to you, but over the past few days I've had India on my mind. It could be the fact that a few of the blogs I read have been in India this week. It could be that I picked up a book that I began reading last summer in an attempt to finish it. It's called "A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael" by Elisabeth Elliot. It could also be that a great movie just came out and if you haven't seen it yet---you must see Slumdog millionaire. For the trailer go here. It could also be that a friend of mine and her husband are heading to India soon. To see about where the Lord is sending them, go here. Some of you Richmond Hillians might recognize Lisa as a former Crossfire member! And if you want even more to make your heart stir, visit our friend Tammy's blog (which is where Lisa and Ben are going!). Tammy is a long time Wesley and RiverStone friend and she runs an orphanage in India. For Tammy's blog, go here.
Okay, really how many of you have had a certain country on your mind lately? Honestly, I'd love to hear from you (that's me requesting comments! Let's hear from you!) In all reality it hasn't just been India on my mind, it's been "go to the nations..." that's on my mind. This year I find myself for the first time in 6 years not leading a mission trip...and it's the first time in 8 years since being a Christian that I'm not even going on a mission trip. Is my heart okay with this? Not really. Have I cried over this? Yes. Does it bring tears to my eyes every time I even think about it? Yes. Do I know this is the Lord? Yes. Does that make it easy to swallow? No.
I knew last summer that I was done doing construction mission trips. I felt as if the Lord was leading me into a season of something that would stretch me out of my comfort zone when it came to missions. We (and when I say we--I mean me, myself and I) get comfortable "building" things. It's uncomfortable when we actually have to get out there and share what the Lord has done for us and each day share the Gospel. As Robert and I moved to
RiverStone I thought I might lead a mission trip that really would have stretched me to
Skid Row in Los Angeles, but as time played out, this year was not the year for that. At the same time, Robert and I were praying about going with
RiverStone on a mission trip to Spain. As time went on and as we felt this summer the Lord had us
buying a house we felt as if this summer was one we sat out on as far as missions go. Oh, my heart still hurts over this one, but I know it's from the Lord.
Bottom line is--the Lord is stripping me. He has been since we've moved here. It hasn't been the most pleasant experience. He's stripping me of those things I've become known for--whether it means leading mission trips, or taking youth to minister to the homeless. He's had me in a season of "hiding under His wing." I was talking with someone lately and we reflected back to when I first felt the call to be in ministry. It was in that conversation that I confessed that when I first started out, all I wanted to be known for was that I was a lover of Jesus.
So here we go. I'm no longer the girl that leads mission trips (or anything else for that matter that has become my identity). All I want is to be known as that crazy girl that is head over heals in love with Jesus. This stripping process isn't easy--but it's gonna be worth it. Yes, as Rita Springer sings my absolute favorite song that I have clung to over the years,
it's gonna be worth it: