Eternal Perspective

It's amazing to think that it's been 13 years since I took my first short term mission trip to the Dominican Republic with UGA.  (Pictured above is me at 20 years old with a group from UGAs Baptist Student Union  at a missionary couple's house in the north east part of DR.) It's also crazy to think that on that very day, God knew that He would call me to serve long term in the Dominican Republic. He knows everything.  All I have to do is have hope in His plans. 

Years later, I sit unsure of tomorrow, but in peace -- because I know that God's plan is perfect.  I struggle with worry and fear and the details.  I struggle with understanding how to have an eternal perspective when the world with which I live is questioning and finds what I am doing to be so foreign.  I struggle with spending my money, my time and my efforts on things that are not eternal but that will somehow pass away. 

And yet, God sees something in me to call me abroad for His purpose. Oh, how I wish for God's kingdom!  But, I am hopeful for what He has prepared for me to do not just in the next years of my life and oversees, but right here, today... in the midst of here and now. 

Lord, may I cling to the hope to which you have called me.  May I live with eternal perspective, forgetting the things of this world, still relating to its people, but desiring for others to see you through me. 

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

the people he chose for his inheritance.

From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind;

from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth --

he who forms the hearts of all,

who considers everything they do.

No king is saved by the size of his army;

no warrior escapes by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;

despite all its great strength it cannot save.

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,

on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

to deliver them from death

and keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the Lord;

he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,

even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:12-22