Commanded, Not Called.

Today I woke up with this thought:

Why do people say they are or aren't "called" to do the work of God?

Is anybody "called?" No, actually we're COMMANDED. I feel as if we have unknowingly erected lines of defense against the global purpose God has COMMANDED for our lives. "Well, I'm just not called to foreign missions." They way we talk about "foreign missions" makes it seem like it's an optional program at the church for only "those who are called" to take part in. But where in the Bible is missions ever identified as an optional program at church? What select few have this crazy task to complete alone?

The point is this: Jesus himself didn't merely CALL us to go to all nations; he has CREATED us and COMMANDED us to go. We have taken this command and reduced it to a "calling," a "conviction." The Great Comission that SO many of us could cite off in our sleep doesn't say "Therefore (some of you) GO..."

We like to rationalize God's word in other ways too to make it fit better with our lives, instead of the other way around. We read the command in Matthew to make disciples of all nations, and we think "that means other people." Then we skip back a few chapters and read ANOTHER command that says, "Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." And we think, "that means me." We take Jesus' promise in Acts that His Spirit will lead us to the ends of the earth and think, "I just can't." Then again in John, Jesus promises to give life abundantly, and we think "That I can handle."

We're assigning the obligations of Christianity to a few, while keeping the priveleges of Christianity for all.

Some would say things like this: "What about the needs here? My mission field is the United States." Here's my stance:

Out of the 7 billion people living on the Earth right now, (and counting) 1/3 of the people consider themselves a Christian. The other 4.5 BILLION(ish) who don't claim to know Christ, will spend an eternity seperated from everything that is good. By the way, most of that number live outside the United States. But let me be clear in saying that I'm not bashing hometown churches or anything of the sort. My mom always says, "You grow where you are planted." And I'm a firm believer in that. Now, I'm growing farther out than she was expecting. :)

For those who think they'd never have time for, the resources for, the health for going overseas, or even the mere desire, please know that we have been commanded. And why can't we do both? If your mission field is here, then MAKE IT your mission field. BEAR FRUIT. And if you refuse to go, please help to send. Let's work together and stop compartmentalizing "missions" and see the need. And meet it! If God is for us, what can ever stop us?

God has blessed us with living in a country where we don't wake up scouring for food, running for our lives, or living on the streets. MAN, I love the United States!!! But, He blesses us not for our sakes, not because He loves us, (which He truly does), but it's to help spread HIS name, HIS glory.


I'm blessed to be apart of the diverse, worldwide body of believers. I'm thankful for my church, the fellowship I grow with each week, the pastors who challenge me daily, and the ability to worship freely. I'm overflowing with blessings, that I just have to share.

REDEEMED, JAS. :)

Peace over worry

"True peace isn't found in the lack of conflict or in the feelings of contentment. True peace is knowing that the God of the universe is in total control of your life."

AAAAAMEN. I feel as if people from all around the world wake each day in a pre-determined state of stress/worry. One of the first things we think each morning is, "What time is it?" Are we wondering the time because we're grateful for another day? Hardly. We usually wonder what time it is to see if we're running late, if we slept too long, or if we can hit the snooze another 5x. It's almost like our days are instantly going to be driven by what worries us most. Did I finish that assignment for class? I hope we don't have a test in there today. Is there gas in my car? Did I call so and so back? Do I have time for a Starbucks which I so desperately (think I) need?? All of these things seem harmless and just thoughts, not worries. But are they?

I've always considered myself to be a citizen of the utopia world that The Beatles would've lived in. Where people simply "Let it Be." But the more I've examined my life, I see that I am controlled by my anxieties, by my schedules. And for lack of a better word, it's pathetic. 

Let me share a way that God has taken control over my anxieties and is letting me know that He knows what He's doing.

This morning I woke up with my typical worries. Am I running late? Yes, I was. Instead of worrying, I decided to drive safely rather than frantically, and let it go. Did I end up being late? No, I didn't. Did ticketmaster overbook my Valentine's Day present for this Saturday and therefore ruin my weekend plans? Yes, they did. After a 30 second rant, I let it go instead of letting it ruin my day. Did my amazing boyfriend come up with something even better for us to occupy our time with for Saturday? Yes, he did. And most importantly for today. I've been waiting on an important email back from the organization that I'm hoping to travel with this summer. It's been over a few weeks, and all day I'd been worrying about whether the spots on the trip would be filled or not. Did she email me back tonight JUST as I was letting go of the situation? Yes, yes she did. :) The point? God will bless your obedient decision to LET GOD and stop worrying!

In Philippians 4, Paul wrote: "The peace of God, that surpasses ALL understanding will guard your heart and your mind."

And DANG is that true!

The peace that comes from God is something unexplainable, or as it says, completely unfathomable. The feeling of having God be in control of a situation in your life, rather than you taking control, is TRUE peace. And if you're a true follower of Christ, you're striving to have God control EVERY area of your life to gain that true peace that surprasses all understanding.

Tonight, I've decided to do just that. It's something I have to remind myself of daily, but I'm letting go, and letting God give me peace of mind that only He can give.

I'm applying for my trip to Africa in the morning, so continue to pray for all involved as well as the area we'll be travelling to. More to come! :)

Redeemed, JAS.

Dive in and don't look back

"Christians are a lot like tea bags. They're  no good til they've been put through a little hot water."

That's a quote from my pastor that's the inspiration behind today's blog. :)

What does it mean exactly to be put through "a little hot water?" One thing I've noticed, in my own life specifically, is that I'm flat out TOO comfortable. I may not know my weekly schedule to a T, but I know a few concrete details. I know I'm going to school, work and church, several times that week. I know I'm going to laugh and talk, a lot. I know I'll check my devotionals on YouVersion, read my Bible, even just a little. I know I'm going to get on the Internet, I know I'm going to play Words with Friends, I know I'm going to sing, complain, speed, and gossip. Not saying all of these are wrong, but some of them are downright a complete WASTE of my time. I've gotten too comfortable. I need to be shaken, I need to be RADICAL. I need to be CHANGED, like I say I have been. 


Some of my favorite passages of scripture come from times when the men divinely inspired by God were writing from prisons, or caves, or seeking desperately for God's hand. Men who were facing extreme challenges, like Noah with the ark! Or Joshua after Moses died, leading people! Moses himself! David as a king, or as he fled for his life! Paul in prison, you catch my drift.


So, to make a long journey short, I've decided to dive in to a little hot water of my own. :) I've struggled with trust, obedience, and just the general feeling of "letting go, and letting God" for so long. And that's SO unfortunate! The disciples when they were called couldn't hesitate! They'd leave their families, their professions, their COMFORTABLE lifestyles, because that's what the change of coming to Christ REALLY looks like. A complete 180.


I met a guy named Tristan last summer, and something about his passion for serving Christ was so contagious. I soon realized it wasn't Tristan who was so inspiring, it was the God he was in love with. The same God I'd told myself for many years that I was in love with. He shook my core that summer, and continues to convict me daily. Anyway, Tristan had a certain tattoo on his forearm that I had to go immediately look up later one night. It's a verse somewhere in Luke, and it says something like this:

 "No one who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the service of the kingdom of God."

Man, was I humbled. How often I had looked back, and now, even still. I am unfit to serve God, and I always will be. But by His grace and unfailing Love for me, He uses me to serve. It's incredible to try to wrap my mind around it! I simply can't. The God of the universe wants to use ME? I'm in!


So, this summer presents a challenge of intense magnitude, and the reward? A life forever altered to look more like Christ's. I'm currently in the process of applying for passports as well as a trip to Africa with an organization called Visiting Orphans. That's all the details I have for it right now, but for those who read this, please pray for me, VO, and Africa whenever we come to mind. 


 My hand is to the plow, and I'm never looking back. Hot water, here I come. :)

Redeemed, JAS.