Time is flying by...!
We are looking at our last two weeks
before we leave and there is a lot going on. We’re throwing an early birthday
party for my youngest daughter so she can celebrate with her friends. We’re
planning a couple of family get togethers and wrapping up our speaking
engagements. We’re packing up things that we’ll need to ship separately before or soon after we leave. We’re thinking about long term living arrangements, furniture and appliances, transportation
while we’re there, and a lot of other things that seem to steal from the joy of
God’s call. It’s been a whirlwind!
In the midst of all that’s going on we have been tried and
tested repeatedly. It’s a constant battle to surrender this life and all it’s
cares to Christ. I knew this would be our biggest challenge and it has already
proven to be tough and we haven’t even left the country yet. We have always
been pretty self-sufficient; with a J-O-B we have always had some idea of how to make ends
meet and how things would eventually line up. Now, EVERYTHING is in God’s
hands.
We have some great friends and family that have stepped up
to help support us financially, and even strangers that I’ve never met have
contributed. It has been a huge encouragement to see the hand of God move in
people’s lives and compel them to give.
The problem comes when this becomes our
source of comfort. We begin to look around us and pick out those that we feel
“could” or even “should” contribute to our journey, and it sets us up for disappointment. We begin to put our faith in man rather than
God. I discovered that the frustrations and times of distress always come when
we rely on some ONE to help rather that our Father in heaven. God has been so
faithful, yet we so easily jump ship.
From the very beginning, God has said how He wants the
glory. He told me that our provision would come from un-expected places and we
have experienced this. I pray that I will remember this as we move forward. We
have our plane tickets and there is no turning back, but I don’t want to be the
one driving this bus. It’s almost natural for me to take control and turn this
thing into a business. I have more than 10 years in business marketing and have
always been entrepreneurial in my thinking. But I don’t want it to be like
that. I can’t afford to shift the focus of LSM towards financial success rather
than supernatural movement and spiritual growth within ourselves and those we
will have the chance to meet.
I truly hate the fundraising part of being a full time
missionary. I appreciate those who give and realize the importance. I even see
joy in the eyes of those who give as they realize their contribution is making
a difference. Some don’t have the option to go but are ecstatic to help send
us. I am very thankful for those people in our lives. I know that my God holds
the wealth of the world in His hands and He has a purpose. There is no amount
of facebook postings, or videos, or speaking engagements, or fundraising that
can out give Him. We are set apart and called to serve Him and He will provide
financially, spiritually, physically, and mentally.
I pray for strength to see through His eyes. I pray for
vision to look out across the battlefield and see that there are more for us
than against us. I pray for courage to stand when the cares of this world try
to choke out the seed God has planted in our hearts. I pray for wisdom to do
His will and only His will. I pray for His love to shine brighter in our lives
than ever before. I pray for faith to
surrender it all to the everlasting God.
-Kasey
