Standing by a Cause

I have heard many times that if you don't fit in then you're probably doing it right. On days like today, I question this logic....

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

 

The above is my banner verse. This verse has spoken louder to me in the past year than any other verse in the Bible. I have it underlined and starred in my Bible, typed up and displayed by my desk and yes, engraved in my heart. There are days when it can feel more branded though, painfully burned into the fabric of who I thought I once was.

 

I have question God more than once during this year. I have question Him about my calling and questioned Him about the path that life is taking.  I'm full of questions :). Just as He calls us to be cheerful givers, He expects us to follow where He leads...wherever that may be. Now some may naively think I am referring to traveling across the globe in the dead of winter or traveling to Africa in the hottest part of Summer. Oh no, those trips do not bother me at all! And this comes from a once shaky and quivering too-scared-to-fly girl. The area God has placed me that seems like the most overwhelming and daunting is missions and fund raising.

 

You see, I went into this with my faith placed in the entirely wrong figure: MAN. I thought that since I had always been quick to give, even if it wasn't a cause I believed in, that others would simply follow suit. I mean, we're called to GIVE right? How hard is this? I'm wired in a "see a need, fill a need" kind of way. I give money to church and radio stations that spread the word. I support those who are trying to raise funds for research and I always take time out of my day to click VOTE when some body's toddler is trying to win a prize. I give to first world issues and problems and I expected that what was given would quickly be returned. Boy, was I wrong. In fact, I don't think I was ever so wrong in my life...

 

If I could actually pinpoint the problem, then I could fix it right? Well, that doesn't seem to be in God's plan because I don't know the problem. Some may claim it's simply finances, but it's these same ones who have weekly pedicures and standing appointments for nail filler. That's a priority issue, not a finance issue. It could be that what I fight for, or against, is not a sexy subject to talk about. Maybe it seems too big to tackle or like one cannot make a difference. 

 

While I was pondering the "whys" to this monumental task, the Lord reminded me that if I put my faith in man I would always be disappointed. And for me, the more disappointed I get the more I want to pull away. I had expectations that have been met with all but spit in the face, meaning my cause is not widely cheered on. This morning, as I was reading my way through 2 Corinthians, God gave me another passage to ponder: 

 

Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied through our fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day.

2 Corinthians 4:16

 

I have no need to be discouraged if my hope, trust and faith are taken off man and placed in the hands of God! This is the very same God that heals the sick, raises the dead, makes the lame walk, the blind see, and defeated dearth once and for all. He can surely find the funding for missions! The Bible tells us that if we do not declare His righteousness, even the rocks and mountains will cry out. It's not about IF He can do it or not, it's about the fact that we need to be willing to have it done THROUGH us. And if we refuse, He will find a grubby old rock that can do a better job of bringing Him glory than we can. Food for thought....

 

My cause is clear and I will press on. I will write until I have calluses and I will continue to bring awareness to the atrocities that so many like to pretend aren't there. If I see an ostrich with it's head buried, I will gladly relocate his head above ground so he can see what needs must be filled. I will not shy away from conflict (in all seriousness David and Joshua are my Biblical heroes and I'm thinking of taking up sword fighting...:)...but really) and I will proceed with a bold and determined spirit allowing myself to be lead by the One who has already mastered and provided my needs.

 

The world is watching and I intend to stay standing. What does the world see when it watches you?

 

Make this the year you GET INVOLVED in something bigger.

Michelle