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Depiction of a determined individual embarking on a challenging mission, reflecting the spirit of the Mission Impossible theme.
♫ Dun dun dada Dun dun dada Dun dun ♫
That iconic rhythm, the Mission Impossible Theme Song, immediately conjures images of daring espionage, impossible odds, and unwavering determination. For me, back in 2013, it became the soundtrack to a mission of my own – a mission not of international intrigue, but of faith and service.
My mission, should I choose to accept it, was to serve with NET Ministries of Ireland for the 2013-2014 year. The objective: to share my experiences of faith and encourage young people to embrace God’s love and live their faith fully. This wasn’t a command with dire consequences for refusal; God’s love is unconditional. However, accepting this mission meant embracing challenges, potential hardship, and stepping completely outside my comfort zone. It was a call to sacrifice, with the belief that through that sacrifice, I could help bring others closer to God.
The briefing was simple, yet daunting: one suitcase, life in a van, leaving behind everything familiar – the comforts of home, friends, family, and even my beloved Canadian bacon, maple syrup, and the diverse culinary scene of Vancouver. The question hung in the air: Would I accept this mission? Could I move to a different continent, among strangers with unfamiliar accents, embarking on a journey of faith with Christ? Did I truly trust Him?
March 27, 2013: 10:36 AM…
Yes, Lord.
With less than 40 days until departure for Ireland, honesty compels me to admit it hadn’t been an easy journey, especially in the preceding weeks.
The Mounting Pressure: Work, Fundraising, and Doubt
July marked the start of a new full-time job alongside my weekend part-time work. This was a summer of firsts – a new job where I knew no one, and where English was not the primary language. Working at an international summer camp presented its own unique challenges. Adding to the pressure was the urgent need for fundraising. With only $1880 raised out of the $6000 goal for August, the financial strain was palpable.
I found myself disliking my job, constantly exhausted, and with dwindling time for family and friends as the departure date loomed. Adding to the external pressures, I was experiencing a spiritual desert. Many around me struggled to understand my decision to leave everything behind for something that seemed so unconventional. The question echoing in my mind, and perhaps yours, was: Why was I putting myself through this?
Answering the Call: Because God Asked Me To
The answer, in its simplest form, is because God asked me to. Perhaps that answer feels insufficient, so let me elaborate. There was a time when my life was not centered around faith. However, encountering God changed everything. I experienced His love, and in turn, fell in love with Him. From that moment, my deepest desire became to dedicate my life to sharing His love and making Him known to others.
The question then becomes: Why Ireland? Again, the answer echoes: because God asked me to. The hardships, the exhaustion, the sacrifices – they were all undertaken in preparation for serving with NET Ministries. This path, this mission, was chosen because of a profound sense of God’s calling. He instilled within me an overwhelming desire to share the Gospel, a sense of freedom to leave behind my familiar life and serve Him wholeheartedly. This, in essence, is what He asks of all of us – to empty our hearts and make space for Him, to “prepare the way and make straight the path for Him! So that He, the King of Glory, may enter in!”
Battling Doubt and Embracing Faith
However, living a life fully for Christ is not always straightforward. If it were, perhaps this reflection wouldn’t be necessary, and maybe this mission wouldn’t have been required. The reality is, not everyone lives with God at the center. There is an adversary, Satan, who actively seeks to distract, discourage, and break us down. He throws obstacles in our path, making it harder to fulfill God’s will.
Despite deep discernment and conviction about God’s call to NET, doubts still crept in, planted by the enemy. “You’re not worthy,” the whispers suggested. “Why are you torturing yourself? Why bother? You are weak.” I confronted these doubts head-on, wrestling with the questions they posed. But in prayer, the resounding answer was not about my inadequacy, but about my desire: “HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT IT?”
This mission, like something straight out of a Mission Impossible movie, wasn’t about ease; it was about commitment. How much was I willing to endure so that others might encounter Christ through my actions? How much did I desire to defy Satan by living solely for God? The potential joy of witnessing young people experiencing Christ, perhaps for the first time, became a powerful motivator.
God offers grace and stands beside us every step of the way. Even when the path isn’t clear, trust in His plan is essential. Entertaining doubts brought anxiety and restlessness, but embracing the challenges as a cross to carry with Christ brought a profound sense of freedom. There was no turning back. God never promised an easy path, but a worthwhile one.
So, perhaps my decision seemed “crazy” to some. And maybe it was a radical step of faith. But aren’t we all called to live radically for God in our own ways?
What is God calling you to? And how badly do you want it? How deeply do you desire to fulfill God’s will for your life?
Discern, discern, discern! And remember, you are not alone. Seek spiritual guidance and support.
“May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the centre of your lives.”
– Pope Benedict
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