As I look back at the last few years of my life – I see that God has an incredible sense of humor. Or is it divine sovereignty? In trying to decide what I envisioned for the last half of my life – I made statements to Tanya like – “I think I would really love to run a retreat center in the mountains and you could be in charge of the food and building and I could be in charge of the adventures and discipleship”…Of course I was thinking more in terms of a place in Colorado or Wyoming but God had somewhere else in mind.
I have also verbalized that as a coach for the World Race – “how awesome it would be to spend 3 months on the field with our Squad to disciple them and walk with them in ministry”…Of course I wasn’t thinking of doing this “every three months for the next 3-5 years,” but God had something else in mind.
After taking mission trip after mission trip to Central America for several decades I have often said “it would be so much better if I knew Spanish so that I could really engage with the people we are ministering with”… of course I envisioned Duolingo or Rosetta Stone…but God had a something else in mind.
Psalm 37:4 – says that if you delight in the Lord he will give you the desires of your heart and WOW has God ever delivered. Not only are we running “a retreat center” we are running an Adventures in Mission Base where God is already beginning to do incredible things in both mission and ministry in the local communities, and we expect so much more. And mountains? Not just mountains but Volcanoes in every direction! It’s as if God wanted to show off.
And what about spending 3 months at a time with a race squad to do discipleship? There is nothing more inspiring to me than young adults literally begging me to do Bible Study with them and engaging deeply in the Word. These racers inspire me by their hunger for God to speak to them and by their passion in worship. Not only has God given me the passion to teach the Word but given me hungry disciples to grow.
As a learner at heart I’ve always wanted to learn Spanish but knew in my heart without being immersed I would never be able to really communicate with those I’ve been in ministry with for years in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua. But Spanish School five days a week with a tutor and being surrounded by Spanish – I fully expect to be fluent in say oh 3 to 4 weeks…Ok not quite but God has already overwhelmed me with understanding and desire, and I know before long I will be able to really engage in the way I’ve always desired.
Beware of what you wish for. Beware of those long burning passions in your heart. If you aren’t careful, God will take them and blow your mind with His greater plans and use you to build his Kingdom in ways you never expected. And watch if He doesn’t also show off as well!
