A Mission of God's Own Design

I planned a vacation for myself. I would go and stay with friends in Tennessee for a few weeks before music camp. It would be awesome. I'd explore Tennessee with my friends and have an nice relaxing time. I would read books and drink tea and have fun.

However, God revealed to me that he had bigger plans for my summer. As it says in Isaiah, 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:8-12 NIV)

And so, departing for Tennessee, I came to the mindset that this was a mission trip of God's making, for God's purposes and of God's design. He would do with me what he wills.

I spent a little over a week in a lovely time of fellowship with my "big sister". Over my time with her, I learned so much about the reality of spiritual warfare (more on that at a later date) and oh so much about God's divine power. When I got on a little 9-passenger plane to Nashville, I was certain that I was about to do something completely AWESOME. I was going to make a huge difference! I was equipped to do great things for God! I didn't know what, but I knew I was 

I've been here for over a week and a half now. I'm living in a house with 11-15+ people in it at any given time. I've washed made meals and washed dishes for said large number of people. I've swept floors and done laundry. I've babysat kids and rocked screaming babies and pushed toddlers in strollers what felt like miles to sooth them. I've swept floors and washed sinks and counters. I've made coffee and tea and delivered it all throughout the house. I've chaised rabbits out of the recording studio (just roll with it ;) )

My current mission isn't glamorous. It's not fancy. It's not earth shattering, power releasing action like I expected.

And yet, how could I be more like Christ?

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. (John 13:12-16 NIV)

Indeed, though my tasks are humble in the grand picture of life, my simple tasks are grand. For I am getting to be like Christ. I am not here to be served, but to serve. 

And what joy in the simple tasks is to be found! Is not the beautiful community of the dinner table worth the hours spent to prepare it? Is not loading the dishwasher a lovely time to ponder life? Is there not love found in service? Is there not a lovelier feeling then to play with a young child, or to enjoy the company of a grandma (or two)? Is making people smile not worth the time taken to make coffee?

For how can I love if I am not loving how Christ loved, and how can I love as he did without serving?

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28 NIV)

So, I find great peace and joy in my task of washing dishes. Is this the mission that God planned for me? Is his grand orchestration of life for me to be in Nashville cooking large meals for this season?

Yes, it is. Maybe there's more coming, maybe not. And, my friends, either way would be enough. For nothing can be more important then what God has planned, not anything I could imagine. My joy is from God, who loves through me by pouring love into me. 

If there's one thing I've learned, it's this - my mission is to follow God, wherever and however that might be. 

And so, I accept my mission and gladly go start the dishwasher.

(P.S. Households of 15 go through way more food and way more dishes than I ever imagined possible. Just saying.)

(P.P.S. I love the person who invented paper plates. I really do.)