Missions

I'm sure a lot of people have heard me say that I want to do missions work, but far fewer have ever heard me really dive into why, or have heard me talk about how strong that desire is. See, even as a child, I told my grandparents I wanted to travel. At that point I just wanted to see the world, I wanted to meet new people and experience new things. As the years went on, and I started following the convictions I had, I started to feel a very strong pull towards international missions. Now, as a dreamer, I wanted to pack a bag and leave as soon as I got some money. Reality brings it back into focus, and also tells me to be more cautious of where I go. I almost went to China, to do some work there, but i began to feel like I was trying to make something happen, rather than follow.

Later, in February of 2007, I was given the chance to go to Thailand, with Matt. My father approved (a miracle in itself at the time) and the money was more than taken care of. I knew I was supposed to go. Now, it was a great first trip. I was exposed to a completely different culture, and had great people to teach me. It wasn't quite what I had in mind as far as sharing the Gospel with people who haven't heard it, or who haven't heard much of it. There were decently nice hotels and food along the whole trip, though I do repent for complaining when I had to resort to rice and soy sauce..(the food at the place we were for the majority of the time was...less than desirable.)

If I find myself in a situation where there is that much comfort..that much "stuff"...how will I do when there is far less? When the hotel or room is cramped and dirty? When the only choice I have for food is something I really don't like? Will I prove true to the teachings of Paul about being a missionary and a minister of the Gospel...being content in all things? That trip brought out parts of me I loved, and parts I have been trying to kill.

I don't see a missions trip on our agenda anytime soon, but Lord willing, one will come. I'll try to post some pictures from our time in Thailand, for any who are interested. For now, check out this website that was such a great inspiration to my early dreams of missions work. www.traveltheroad.com

View some of their episodes. Pray for them and the places they go. And if you would like, pray for me. That the vision God gave me would not be lost. That my passion would continue to burn, and that I would know when the right opportunities come.

Thank You.. God be with you.

-Shannon

Scripture that speaks for itself.

Isaiah 53

1 Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
3 He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment,
And who will declare His generation?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
9 And they made His grave with the wicked—
But with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
11 He shall see the labor of His soul,and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,
And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
Because He poured out His soul unto death,
And He was numbered with the transgressors,
And He bore the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors.

I absolutely love this scripture. No matter when, or how many times I read it, it speaks to me. Its all amazing, but the last part is what speaks out to me today. "By His knowledge my Righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities." "And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors." Its really enlightening for me. Things I know and hear on a regular basis, but...made intercession for the transgressors? So while I slap His face and choose my own way over His, He intercedes on my behalf. While I run from Him and deny Him in my life, He is calling out to the Father for me. How clear a picture, that when my heart returns, He is so close. He is their waiting, interceding for me, and when He sees me turn around, He runs to welcome me.

I cant ever imagine finding a love like that on earth, I've just never seen anything like it. Humans cant do it. We are always hurt and that casts shadows in our minds that don't allow us to love unconditionally. But we should strive. I should pray for my friends, my husband, my family in this manner, and should rejoice to be there when all is made right. And more so, I should remember the sacrifice that allows me to return. I should continue to kill the pride that would have me be stubborn and quick to anger. It feels like a long hard road, but it only is if its traveled alone.

Today, I'll read some more of Ecclesiastes, take some time to evaluate what causes my heart to run to anger instead of patience, and cry out for mercy to be able to choose the right way in my heart.