In nine days, I’m leaving for Chile; a place I know hardly anything about, with a language that I am not fluent in, and without knowing which city I’ll live in or anyone that lives there. I’m going to teach English for nine months, and I’m super stoked about it, but I have to be honest. I’m a little bit nervous. I’m leaving behind everything I know: my country, my language, my culture, my hometown, my house, my friends, and my family. And I’m going to miss all of them. The only reason I’m not totally freaking out is this: God is always with me.
For weeks now, people have been asking me all sorts of questions about my trip, some of which I don’t know the answers to. They wonder how it’s possible that I don’t even know what city I’m going to. And while I would very much like to know, I know God is there, and that’s the most important thing.
I’m stepping out in faith, confident that God has gone before me, paving the way for whatever lies ahead. Regardless of any trials, and I know there will be many, God will be there with me. This I know, for certain.
Joshua 1:9 assures me: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” When I hear this verse, peace overwhelms me. I’m reminded how much greater God is than me. I think of his vast wisdom, his infinite power, and his gracious love. Who am I to worry about such small things? The Lord knows exactly where I’ll be and whom I’ll be with. And in that, I find much peace.
I also find much encouragement from the faith of those who have gone before me. There’s Noah, whom God chose to build the ark and repopulate the earth. There’s Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his only son, because God had made him a promise. There’s Moses, who faced Pharaoh, and delivered his people from slavery. There’s Rahab, Daniel, Samuel, David, Mary, and so many others, all of whom clung to their faith above all else. They were confident in their hope; assured of things they did not see.
That’s how I hope to go: in faith, confident in the unswerving hope that is my God.
Been there, done that, got the tshirt and I must say, that t-shirt is the most beautiful thing I own. For you see, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. Faith is not about what you accomplish but what HE accomplishes THROUGH you and IN you. I can look in my wardrobe of tshirts and know that I know that I know, that HE is with me every step I take and ahead of me He goes. HE surrounds me with HIS might and HE feeds me from HIS banqueting table. Go, go in peace, go in joy, go confidently. For the journey is a romance, it is a story of HIM and you.
alexandersoul 
Been there, done that, got the tshirt and I must say, that t-shirt is the most beautiful thing I own. For you see, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. Faith is not about what you accomplish but what HE accomplishes THROUGH you and IN you. I can look in my wardrobe of tshirts and know that I know that I know, that HE is with me every step I take and ahead of me He goes. HE surrounds me with HIS might and HE feeds me from HIS banqueting table. Go, go in peace, go in joy, go confidently. For the journey is a romance, it is a story of HIM and you.
Thank you, Debbie, for the words of encouragement. I can’t wait to see what God does through and in me while I’m there.