I am wide awake at 11:54 p.m. on a Monday after doing ministry. Where is my mind right now? Home. Three weeks until I land in the U.S., 3 weeks until I get to hug my mom, see the Colorado mountains, drink overpriced lattes, and wear more than the four T-shirts I have left in my pack.
But as I anticipate all these normal American things, fear takes hold of my mind. The “real world” is scary. It means no more non-stop community, no more designated time to read my Bible, no more deep theological conversations over breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
How is my faith going to function on U.S. soil? An honest fear and an honest question.
I don’t think I have ever lived out my faith to its full potential within the Colorado borders. And to be honest I am terrified. I know it’s not going to be easy chasing after Jesus and being in tune with God’s voice. The discipline to spend enough time in the Word to remain filled up is intimidating.
The Lord is calling me to a college campus in this next season, a scary place to live out faith for someone who has spent 6 months with 30 people who believe in the same thing as me. Right now, the people the Lord asked me to share the gospel with understand about 50% of my words while a language barrier gets in the way of the rest. I am comfortable with that.
However, God is calling me back to the States because, if I am unable to follow out the Lord’s commands in my own country, how can I do it in others?
Life is comfortable out of the country; brokenness is visible not hidden away. God is extremely close and my idols and usual distractions are different and not as present.
Yet we are not called to our comfort zone because comfort does not encourage growth. So here it goes. It’s time to live in the world not of the world and I am ready for the challenge and will take it on because I have my Creator, Redeemer, Lord and Savior on my side.
Amen!!! Love this, and you have everything you need to live a surrendered Kingdom life when you go home. People need to hear the words that are going to come out of your mouth and people need to learn from the way you pursue the Lord, receive from the prayers you’re going to pray
Yet we are not called to our comfort zone because comfort does not encourage growth. So here it goes. It’s time to live in the world not of the world and I am ready for the challenge and will take it on because I have my Creator, Redeemer, Lord and Savior on my side.
So well said – we will be praying for you as you come back home and yes it will be different but a great different
Much love
Stephen and Teri Jernigan