Abraham picked up his family, left his home, and followed God. He had no idea where God was leading. He had no idea when the journey would end. He had no idea if he would make it safely. He just knew that God had called and that he had to answer.
I want that kind of faith.
As I prepare to leave the States, I can’t help looking back over the last four years. When I graduated from high school, I had had no true desire to go to college. I wanted to go to Africa and volunteer. I wanted to join the Peace Corps. I want to DO something, not sit in a classroom and dream about it.
But God firmly said no. And for once in my life I listened. I waited.
I remember looking at websites for gap years, getting all excited. But there was a nagging in my heart. I tried so hard to ignore it. Suddenly that nagging became the fore front of my thoughts and I very clearly felt God say, “Not now. You must be prepared.”
Grudgingly I conceded over the next few weeks and showed up at Asbury University a year later. For the next fews years, opportunities kept coming up and funding was there. All the pieces were fitting! But each time, God shut the door. I had to say no to a lot of experiences that would have fulfilled my heart’s deepest desires. It hurt and many times I was left in tears begging God to take away my dreams because clearly that’s not what He had for me.
Again, God firmly said no. So I waited.
Then the day came when I got a beautiful, wonderful, exciting email from CCTECC. I was going to Morocco for Student Teaching! …in 10 months.
So I waited. Some more.
I counted down the days, I lived my college experience to the fullest anticipating being absent for the final two months of my senior year.
In February, I showed up at an International School Job fair. I had a clear plan of what schools I wanted to interview with and which ones I desperately wanted a job offer from.
South Korea! I was dead set on going to South Korea.
But God firmly said no.
Instead, He said, “Malaysia.” And I firmly said yes.
Then the day came. I moved out of my apartment. I went out with my friends one last time. I drove from Lexington back to Atlanta. I saw my extended family one last time. And then I boarded an airplane headed to Fes, Morocco.
God firmly said yes. And I never looked back.
arles on the go 