The Imperfect Missionary

As I look back over my life (particularly that two year period I served as a missionary) I am blessed to be able to have experienced some of God’s miraculous interventions, the pinnacle being the Lord’s visitation to me on that mountaintop in late August of 1992. At the time of the visitation I was not sure if it was an angel or the Lord himself that came down to me that morning, but after meditating about how the Lord appeared in a cloud to Moses and the children of Israel I am now certain it was the Lord himself, no question about it. I am amazed at how God chose to reveal himself by leading me across country to a place where I knew no one. I marvel at how he guided me to the ranch. I am in awe at how he took me all the way to the other side of the world to southern India. While staying at the ranch I learned that Bearl and Virginia had been praying for God to send them someone to train and mentor. Their prayers were going up during the exact same time period I was struggling with the urging's of the Spirit on the move to San Diego. I did not know it at the time but I was being directed on a path that would eventually lead me to the ranch. Bearl and Virginia considered me to be an answer to their prayer.

Son, you must always be kind toward people. For the most part everyone does the best they can with the tools and knowledge they possess, so do not judge people. Consider where they might be on their journey. That does not mean you must like everyone or put up with their foolishness, for certain that is not the case. Always see people as your Heavenly Father sees them, as imperfect creatures living on imperfect knowledge. Certainly you know that I, your dad, am in no way perfect; in fact even after experiencing all the miracles God has performed in my life I am still prone to mistakes and failures. Far too easily I get caught up in the foolishness of this flesh; being human. The one and only reason God moved in miraculous ways in my life is simply because I was obedient by stepping out in faith, boarding that Greyhound bus, and acting on what I felt He was leading me to do, that is it. He will do the same for you (and anyone else) in whatever he calls you to do. In the entire plan of your life you will face uncertainty; often not knowing what the next step will be. The plan will not always be clearly laid out before you. You may experience the bouts of fear like I did but go forth, stumbling if you must. Trust totally in Him being who he says he is and do not let fear keep you from doing or pursuing what is in your heart. Even though it was the most difficult period I have ever faced I learned a great lesson; God responds to total faith in Him, nothing else. You can pray until you’re blue in the face but to see God move in great and miraculous ways you must step out and live by faith in what He inspires you to do. Not just giving lip service to Him or a prayer every now and then, but complete faith in who He says he is as a provider, comforter, and protector. When I stepped on that bus heading across country I was prepared to die, but I was convinced that if that was to be I would die being obedient.

My life now it is completely different from my missionary days. I have the responsibility of a family, a home, and a job. In a way my trust is not totally in God like before but in reality it is. I look to my surroundings and tend to trust in those things for sustaining me; the job, the paycheck, the grocery store. It is a struggle I did not experience when I was totally dependent on Him. God still moves in my life but I do not experience the great miracles on a daily basis like I did during that two year period. I have become comfortable. Yet there is great suffering taking place at this very moment all over the world and God has an assignment for you in meeting the needs of those suffering. Whether by prayer, financial support, or in whatever occupation you enter just know that wherever He leads you, you are not alone. He will guide you, place great miracles in your path, and be with you every step of the journey. You are blessed through the seed of Abraham and the same blessing that God bestowed on Abraham is also upon you through Jesus Christ. Go forth in faith knowing that God has a great purpose designed especially for you.