Being a missionary was far from my mind until God suddenly made it plain for us to move to Manila. Things change, but God's plan does not change. I only discovered that I was called to be a missionary when I began and continued to seek God and to be faithful in smaller assignments such as volunteering at my local church. The Called, The Chosen, the Faithful. Faithfulness is such a necessary ingredient in following God's plan for your life. Anyone that is promoted in the Kingdom always proves faithful FIRST! Be faithful in another's and He will give you your own. That's what we did. To the best of my ability I wanted to be a blessing to my Pastor. I was more than willing to help until..., then God's promotion came. I know of no greater honor from God to be called to a foreign land. It does have it's drawbacks at times, but the rewards are eternal.
If God truly called you then Praise God, you can
do it. It is foolish to consult with those who do
not know Him concerning His will for your life. If
you seek to please men then you WILL NOT please God.
I
didn't have to ask anyone's approval. My Pastor
already knew, and God had a replacement ready for
me! It was simple to say yes Lord I will go. Once
you've heard from God, Faith is there to give you
the ability to obey. God is Faithful and your
obedience will pay off well in this life and that
which is to come. Some can't understand why you
would leave all the comforts of the US to go
somewhere that's not quite as nice. But it's not
your choice, God's will has to
be first and foremost if you are ever going to do
Big things for Him. Shoulda, coulda, woulda is not the song I will sing
throughout all of eternity.
From Oswald J. Smith - The Passion for Souls p.66 "When you are sure of God's will do not let satan
turn you aside. He will if he can. Your own friends and loved ones can become
your greatest stumbling blocks. Be on your guard. Many a girl who has been
called has married a man who was not going, and vice-versa, with the result that
God's plan has been missed. Listen, young people, you have no right to even
keep company with anyone except someone who is traveling in your direction. Do
that and you
will never make a mistake. God has already chosen
your life partner and His choice is ever so much
better than yours. Don't let satan turn you aside".
Mr. Smith sent out over 350+ missionaries from his church in the 50's!