Ask and you will receive whatever you need.
Pray and you'll hear from heaven, and I'll heal your land.
Your glory will fill the earth like water the seas.
Lift up your eyes, the harvest is here, the Kingdom is near.
Ask and I'll give the nations to you.
O Lord, that's the cry of my heart.
Distant shores and the islands will see Your light, as it rises on us.
I love the Truth in this song. The Lord so faithfully sent me to a country that He put in my heart two years ago. During that month, He connected me to people with amazing stories, adventurous hearts, and a desire to make the Kingdom known in their community.
When people ask me, "How was Australia?" I can't help but sigh and get a little sad. If only I could describe it in a sentence or two. Most people want the "It was amazing!" answer and then we move on. Or they ask "Tell me your favorite thing." Really? I've found my favorite question is, "Tell me what the Lord showed you in Australia" or "Tell me about the people." Now those are some questions I don't mind answering.
Over the summer, God tore down the walls I had up about specific denominations. I was born and raised in the Southern Baptist Church, which is where I got most of my foundation about Christianity (along with amazing guidance from my wonderful parents and older sister). It was in this church that I asked Jesus to come into my heart and was baptized at a young age. I also met a lot of my best friends at this church who I still keep up with to this day. Over the years, God has shown me that a relationship with Jesus is what He really wants for me. John 17:3 says, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." Through this realization, I have also opened my eyes to see that the denomination has nothing to do with the person's relationship with Christ. We all have our own set of rules that go along with denomination, but I see no where in the Bible a set of rules for being a Christian. We have guidelines for living like Jesus. I love the WWJD bracelets because that is truly all we need to be asking ourselves.
So I went on a trip with a group of students and adults from a Church of Christ school to join in ministry with the Church of Christ in Holland Park. I wasn't "converted" nor did I "see the light", but I did find people who have a relationship with Jesus and are serving just like the people in the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, or non-denominational churches. I saw people who challenged one another in a daily walk with Jesus and served the community with hopes of showing non-believers the love of our Savior. Denominations are just another label we put on ourselves almost like it's a sorority or a fraternity. One of my favorite memories was watching Josh (a boy in the youth group) get baptized on a Sunday morning. It was amazing to be a part of his Christian family as he professed his belief in Jesus and explained how he wanted to give his life to Christ.
As I sit here in Auburn, Alabama, I have had lots of thoughts going through my mind. Do I pursue a teaching career in Australia? What about the South, the place where I grew up and love so much? Over and over I thought about these things and basically stressed out about my future. Thankfully, God so gently asked me to surrender those anxious feelings to Him, and I have been able to do that. I know that no matter what happens in my future, my ultimate goal is to bring Him glory. I plan too much, and I am trusting God to take these plans and completely use me however He wants.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to go to Australia and grow with Him, and now I see how He is growing me back in Auburn. It's interesting to think that He is the only One who knows exactly what I did over there and what I do here, and it gives me comfort to know that He will never leave my side.
These Proverbs say it right: chapter 16 verse 9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps," and Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
One of my last sunsets in Australia looked strangely familiar to some of my favourite colours :) War Eagle.
