Moving back to the US and back to school
all within a week was...overwhelming. After living completely different from my
norm for 76 days, I knew normal life would be hard to adjust back into. As I am
finally finding my niche back in school, I have time to collect my thoughts
and decipher my summer in Mexico. Most times when we return from a mission
trip, we expect to reflect on our time spent serving and get a revelation or epiphany
from God. I spent a good amount of time searching for this big picture. I was
turning over every rock in my mind trying to decide what God
was trying to teach me and why He had called me to Mexico. I
was praying that He would show me sooner rather than later so I would know
my purpose and live accordingly. Looking back on my journal entries, I
want to go back in time and slap myself silly! For a healthy portion of the
summer I decided why God had called me to work with Agua Viva was all
about me and my relationship with Him. I was wrong.
It was the week after July 4th, when God
sat me down took hold of me like a mother would her child trying to teach
them something important. I remember realizing how selfish I had become and
feeling convicted. I prayed that God would rearrange my heart to align with
His. That's when everything made sense. I wouldn't call it a relation or
epiphany, but an end to them. Being a missionary or doing missions is not
about me. Ever. Yes, God is going to teach me things along the way as long as I
am in an active relationship with Him, but that's not the big picture.
Matthew
28:19-20 says, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.
And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus
instructed His disciples to "teach them to observe everything I have
commanded you." He equipped His servants to go and teach others. He
instructed them to "go" and simply live. Go to all the nations and
make disciples. That's what we are all called to do. After I understood
this, I didn't pray for a purpose because I didn't need to know. I knew my job
and I knew what I had been called to do. God had the rest. He still
does.
As I continue to reflect on my time in Mexico, how awesome it is to
know that's how God calls me to live here at school too. May I not worry about
all the details of why I'm at Union, why I work with kids, or why I have
the job that I do. God knows and He will tell me in His timing. I want to focus
on what I am called to do. Simply live.
Blessings,
Chelsea
