In the recent weeks, I began a daily devotional series with a friend and fellow World Racer focused on the topic of Listening Prayer. Each day brings new questions and prompts new discussions with the Lord in prayer. Listening Prayer is something new for me. So often in prayer, I talk, and talk, and talk, and literally never stop to just listen. Today’s topic in particular wrecked me in a way I’ve never been wrecked before, The Role of the Holy Spirit.
“Where have I shut out your Holy Spirit in my life?” This question stumped me, initially. But after a few minutes of quiet, uninterrupted meditation, a very vivid, visual representation filled my head. Growing up in the frigid, Wisconsin winters, I envisioned a younger me listening to my little brother trying to convince me that we should go out and play in the snow. After hearing him out and throwing on all of our winter gear I began to follow him out the front door only to quickly slam the door behind him and turn the deadbolt locking him out in the uncomfortable cold weather. Only, instead of locking out my little brother trying to play in the snow, I was locking out the Holy Spirit leading me to new ministries and experiences.
I can’t help but think of how often I’ve heard the Lord telling me what to do and showing me the guidance I’ve been praying for, only to slam the door as soon as it was time to actually go. The fears and insecurities of rejection, judgement, being different, not knowing what to say, and lack of confidence have always been things which have kept me from stepping out of my comfort zone and into God’s zone in the past. This question led me to begin jotting down the lyrics the popular Hillsong UNITED song Oceans, “You call me out upon the waters. The great unknown where my feet may fail…. Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.” I’ve heard this song what feels like a million times. I’ve sung out the words at the top of my lungs driving down I-94, unphased. But today, I turned it on at the close of my study and was brought to tears by the beauty of the words and the reality it is bringing to light in my current circumstances. I encourage you to have a listen if you haven’t before, or another listen if you have already.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP-00EwLdiU
The Beauty of the Unknown is that we’re not alone. The Beauty of the Unknown is that we have the peace and comfort of God’s promises. The promises He has ALREADY fulfilled. God’s done His part. He’s kept His side of the promise. Now it’s our job to TRUST, OBEY, and FOLLOW.
The second stop on my World Race route will be the country of Panama. It a lot of ways I’ve been avoiding writing this one. Partly due to the chaos we’ve all been experiencing above. Partly because this is the country we’ve been given the least amount of information about as it pertains to specific ministry partners. Our time in Panama may be filled with a wide variety of different missions. Alongside our ministry partners, we may meet indigenous tribes scattered throughout the rainforests or connect with the South Asian immigrant population in the emerging capital city. Our team may help out on a coffee farm in the misty volcanic valleys or share the Gospel with university students in this vibrant nation.
Our focuses in Panama will include: Community Outreach, Children’s Ministry, Evangelism, Local Church Ministry, Unreached People Groups
Facts:
- Population: 4.28 million people. Roughly 1% of the population of the United States.
- Religious breakdown: 63% Catholic, 25% Protestant, 12% other or none
- Common tongue: Spanish
Adventures in Missions has not given us any information in regards to specific ministry partners we may be working with during our time in Panama, which brings us back to our theme for today: Beauty in the Unknown. Seeing as I have no specific ministry partners to share for this month’s travels, I’d like to use this space to explain another unknown element of the World Race, the ATL month. ATL stands for Ask The Lord. Typically, on every 11 month route, World Race teams spend one full month simply Asking The Lord. There’s no plan set in place for the racers, no ministry partners already connected for us. We spend the month prayerfully asking the Lord to guide us and show us the work He wants us to do. This could lead us to any parts of the country and serving literally anyone. To be completely honest, this is something that freaked me out immensely when I first heard about it. Hearing God’s voice and following his guidance to serve in everyday life is something that I’ve always struggled with. But I know this ATL month will only further breakdown barriers I’ve built up in my mind and strengthen my faith in His plan for my life.
I pray that you’re all able to find peace and comfort in our current situation, whatever that may look like for you. Look to God and His Word for reassurance of His love and promises. Trust in Him. Obey Him. And follow wherever He may lead you. Stay safe and stay healthy.
Until next time, God Bless.
Micah
