Today’s Blog by Yvonne.
Late one night, I awoke to hear a voice calling to me. The voice only said a few words, “Follow Me!” That evening was not the first time I experienced a whispered call. For almost 20 years, I have tried to obey the call to follow Jesus to the far corners of the world. The journey has provided me with some incredible opportunities to meet new people and see breathtaking sights. However, following Jesus is not always smooth sailing. A calling to follow Christ will include many challenges and test the limits of your faithfulness.
Sometimes the journey with Christ will be across turbulent waters. A recent trip to Myanmar offered many ups and downs. Crossing twelve time zones made sleeping through the night a challenge. Even now, back at home, I fall asleep earlier than normal or wake long before my alarm clock. Working in temperatures above 90 degrees with very high humidity sapped every ounce of my energy. Bad roads, pit latrines, and unsafe drinking water added to the woes and discomfort on the journey.
As challenging as the journey may be during a mission, God also provides unexpected rewards for our faithfulness. I got the privilege of meeting many wonderful new friends. I spent time with the kids at our orphanage in Myanmar. God allowed me to share my faith with over 500 women at a conference in a rural village. On top of all that, I also witnessed the beauty of God’s creation in this faraway land.
Even if the service to the Lord produces some suffering, I can rejoice. Matthew 5:12 confirms this but stating “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for, in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (NIV). God calls each of us to “follow him.” Sometimes the way will be easy, but other times it will bring sorrow and suffering. You will also receive more than you ever imagined when you follow Christ. You will never know what God has planned for you until you start the journey. God’s calling is for every one of us.
Blessing,
Yvonne, author, and blogger
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”