Daring to dream
As promised, this is the sequel to the most recent blog post I wrote. Some of what I write will be what I envision for the future, as I have no idea what that may look like at this point. However, the overarching theme deals with hoping despite discouragement, dreaming even in the midst of disappointment and reaching for my God-given potential while trusting He will accomplish what He started.
It all started with a tiny seed, an idea, a suggestion. And at first I thought God was just trying to get my attention by using a random location, but it has grown into so much more. I should know by now that nothing my Sovereign Father does can be qualified as 'random' and He always has a purpose. Fast forward to several months later and the theme has been recurring. God continues to place a country, a people in my heart and the desire to go there only keeps growing. Not once, not twice, but half a dozen times now God has used this place to teach me, to tug at my heart, and to encourage me not to lose sight of my dreams.
About a year and a half ago I heard a high school choir ensemble sing a song that impacted me greatly. The link is below if you care to listen, but this song spoke to me of so many hurting young souls in need of hope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khRznLpLpHc
This song served to stir up emotions and begin to rekindle a dream that I had buried deep. I chose to bury this dream simply because it seemed impossible. I have mentioned before that my goal in life is to make a difference. I know I cannot change the world, but I want my life to have the greatest impact possible. Many years ago I set out to take the world by storm, to travel to the furthest corners of the world and use my life to invest in the lives of others. I looked for opportunities to do so, thought I would have a chance to learn in serve in other countries, but every time I pursued a possibility, the door was closed. For three summers in a row, I was deeply burdened for China and attempted to be part of a team traveling there to teach conversational English. I thought I would be in Turkey for a year to participate in a similar ministry, but again the door slammed in my face. Looking back, I can see God's hand in this; I would not have had the same experiences or met certain individuals who have shaped me in so many ways. But all of this disappointment discouraged me in the end and I let go of the dream God had placed in my heart.
It all started with a tiny seed, an idea, a suggestion. And at first I thought God was just trying to get my attention by using a random location, but it has grown into so much more. I should know by now that nothing my Sovereign Father does can be qualified as 'random' and He always has a purpose. Fast forward to several months later and the theme has been recurring. God continues to place a country, a people in my heart and the desire to go there only keeps growing. Not once, not twice, but half a dozen times now God has used this place to teach me, to tug at my heart, and to encourage me not to lose sight of my dreams.
About a year and a half ago I heard a high school choir ensemble sing a song that impacted me greatly. The link is below if you care to listen, but this song spoke to me of so many hurting young souls in need of hope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khRznLpLpHc
This song served to stir up emotions and begin to rekindle a dream that I had buried deep. I chose to bury this dream simply because it seemed impossible. I have mentioned before that my goal in life is to make a difference. I know I cannot change the world, but I want my life to have the greatest impact possible. Many years ago I set out to take the world by storm, to travel to the furthest corners of the world and use my life to invest in the lives of others. I looked for opportunities to do so, thought I would have a chance to learn in serve in other countries, but every time I pursued a possibility, the door was closed. For three summers in a row, I was deeply burdened for China and attempted to be part of a team traveling there to teach conversational English. I thought I would be in Turkey for a year to participate in a similar ministry, but again the door slammed in my face. Looking back, I can see God's hand in this; I would not have had the same experiences or met certain individuals who have shaped me in so many ways. But all of this disappointment discouraged me in the end and I let go of the dream God had placed in my heart.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.
~ Psalm 37:4-5 ~
I have these verses committed to memory, but still I lost sight of the promise. This desire to cross oceans and live in a foreign culture with little to no earning potential did not come from within me. My selfish desires would probably lean towards something with less sacrifice, more material goods and less risk. I could not be more excited about the possibilities this path holds for me though.
For awhile now I have sensed that God will take me far away from everything and everyone I know. While at times this prospect seems daunting, I find myself eager to pursue this calling. Yes, I will miss my friends and family dearly, but I desire to be wherever God chooses to use me. And I think perhaps I have a location at long last.
Uganda. If you would have mentioned this country or asked me about it two years ago, I probably would have given you a blank stare. But God has placed this beautiful region in my heart and the desire to go there and serve Him by investing in lives continues to grow on a daily basis. He has used books, people, circumstances, dreams and His word to show me this is where I should go...eventually. Right now it seems so far away (I have a five-year plan) but I am trusting God to fulfill His promises and work in ways I cannot imagine.
I mentioned books in the last paragraph. The two titles (links below) that have impacted me greatly deal with living and serving with wild abandon. And that has been my theme this year, the words that God imprinted on my heart. Both speak to the fact that we do not serve a safe God and what He requires of us will not always be comfortable or easy...but it will be worthwhile every time.
http://www.amazon.com/Kisses-Katie-Story-Relentless-Redemption/dp/1451612095/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405318323&sr=8-1&keywords=kisses+from+katie#reader_1451612095
http://www.amazon.com/Your-God-Too-Safe-Rediscovering/dp/1576737748/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405318412&sr=8-1&keywords=your+god+is+too+safe#reader_1576737748
These books challenged me in ways I never expected and changed the shape of my dreams. What is my dream, you ask? It hasn't always looked like this, and it could change again if God sees fit to push me in a different direction. However, at the moment I have incredible clarity about what I'm supposed to do and I'm working towards the goal one day at a time. My dream is simply this: I want to work with orphans in war-torn countries. I desire to pour my life into others, meeting them where they are, sharing the love of Jesus and giving hope for the future. I want to be there longer than a little while, I wish to immerse myself in the culture and language, and be used however I can.
To some (and even myself at times) this dream may seem silly or impossible, or both. But I have plans to meet with one of my professors who is the co-founder of a non-profit organization in rural Uganda that serves widows and orphans with AIDS by seeking to educate and empower these individuals so they can have a better future. We have been keeping an open dialogue and she has expressed an interest in discussing future goals and dreams. There is even a medical aspect to this ministry opportunity. As I learn more, I will keep this blog updated, but I am ECSTATIC about the possibilities and cannot help but marvel at the awesome precision of my God.
And that, my friends, is what I am anticipating. I would appreciate prayers for continued diligence as I have a long road ahead of me, and wisdom for the many decisions I will be facing in the coming months and years. Thank you for your support and love...I am truly blessed!
~Liz
Uganda. If you would have mentioned this country or asked me about it two years ago, I probably would have given you a blank stare. But God has placed this beautiful region in my heart and the desire to go there and serve Him by investing in lives continues to grow on a daily basis. He has used books, people, circumstances, dreams and His word to show me this is where I should go...eventually. Right now it seems so far away (I have a five-year plan) but I am trusting God to fulfill His promises and work in ways I cannot imagine.
I mentioned books in the last paragraph. The two titles (links below) that have impacted me greatly deal with living and serving with wild abandon. And that has been my theme this year, the words that God imprinted on my heart. Both speak to the fact that we do not serve a safe God and what He requires of us will not always be comfortable or easy...but it will be worthwhile every time.
http://www.amazon.com/Kisses-Katie-Story-Relentless-Redemption/dp/1451612095/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405318323&sr=8-1&keywords=kisses+from+katie#reader_1451612095
http://www.amazon.com/Your-God-Too-Safe-Rediscovering/dp/1576737748/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405318412&sr=8-1&keywords=your+god+is+too+safe#reader_1576737748
These books challenged me in ways I never expected and changed the shape of my dreams. What is my dream, you ask? It hasn't always looked like this, and it could change again if God sees fit to push me in a different direction. However, at the moment I have incredible clarity about what I'm supposed to do and I'm working towards the goal one day at a time. My dream is simply this: I want to work with orphans in war-torn countries. I desire to pour my life into others, meeting them where they are, sharing the love of Jesus and giving hope for the future. I want to be there longer than a little while, I wish to immerse myself in the culture and language, and be used however I can.
To some (and even myself at times) this dream may seem silly or impossible, or both. But I have plans to meet with one of my professors who is the co-founder of a non-profit organization in rural Uganda that serves widows and orphans with AIDS by seeking to educate and empower these individuals so they can have a better future. We have been keeping an open dialogue and she has expressed an interest in discussing future goals and dreams. There is even a medical aspect to this ministry opportunity. As I learn more, I will keep this blog updated, but I am ECSTATIC about the possibilities and cannot help but marvel at the awesome precision of my God.
And that, my friends, is what I am anticipating. I would appreciate prayers for continued diligence as I have a long road ahead of me, and wisdom for the many decisions I will be facing in the coming months and years. Thank you for your support and love...I am truly blessed!
~Liz
posted by Liz at
01:26
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