{"id":218,"date":"2012-07-17T11:58:00","date_gmt":"2012-07-17T11:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/?p=218"},"modified":"2012-07-17T11:58:00","modified_gmt":"2012-07-17T11:58:00","slug":"here-am-i-send-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/?p=218","title":{"rendered":"Here am I. Send Me."},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

During our worship service this past weekend, an upcoming service trip was presented to the congregation. Some details were given. Things like the date, the location, and the importance of service trips to name a few. <\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The couple leading the group are veteran missionaries. They have a deep desire to share the Gospel with anyone willing to listen, especially in foreign countries.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
At some point during the presentation, tears began to form. My heart began to race. My heart was opened. <\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

I have heard missionary presentations on many occasions. More than I could possibly say. But this time, something inside me insisted to be loosed.<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

I approached the couple after church and told them I thought I was being led to go on this trip. Through tears I expressed this desire. I hadn\u2019t talked to my husband or my family, but I thought it was the thing to do. I was given information about the trip and walked away with a sense of peace. <\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
At home, I approached the topic with my husband\u2026again through tears I tried to express my feelings about this journey. He had a few questions, and was supportive in how I was feeling. <\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
But in the end it really was about money. I\u2019ve been out of work for two years. We are just meeting our monthly bills with his income. There is nothing to spare. Not even for a service trip.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
I knew that going into it. I also knew that if this was where God was leading me, I\u2019d have to raise the money to go and He would provide all my needs. My faith and trust in Him would have to take me to this place.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
But it seemed like there was something more. The words to one of my favorite worship songs kept running through my head. Hosanna[i]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>by Hillsong. The bridge seems to say exactly what I\u2019m feeling at this point. <\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Heal my heart and make it clean;<\/span><\/div>\n
Open up my eyes to the things unseen.<\/span><\/div>\n
Show me how to love like you have loved me.<\/span><\/div>\n
Break my heart for what breaks yours;<\/span><\/div>\n
Everything I am for your kingdom\u2019s cause.<\/span><\/div>\n
As I walk from earth into eternity.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
What has touched me through these couple of days is the fact that my heart is breaking for what breaks God\u2019s heart. The lost.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Through my entire life, the lost have been in my thoughts and prayers. I was raised in a minister\u2019s home. I went to Bible College. I was in local ministry for 16 years. I was on a large church staff for six years. I have lead women\u2019s Bible studies for nearly 30 years. I know what God\u2019s purpose and plans are for the lost.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
But this service trip touched me. I was being changed. My heart was breaking.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
So why should I go on this service trip?<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Because Jesus\u2019 mission should be my mission.<\/span><\/b> Jesus came to seek and save the lost. (Luke 19:10) Whether it is across the world, my next door neighbor or someone living within my household, my mission should be to share the Gospel with others, in word or deed. My life should be a reflection of Jesus\u2019 ministry and mission. <\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Because the world is ready.<\/span><\/b> Jesus told the disciples in Luke 10:2 (NIV), \u201cThe harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workings into his harvest field.\u201d <\/i>There are people who are seeking God. They know something is missing in their life, they just aren\u2019t sure what it is. I know the missing piece. I know Him personally. So get ready world, the message of Jesus is coming!<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Because I can<\/span><\/b>. I\u2019m reminded of Isaiah\u2019s words in chapter 6 verse 8. \u201cThen I heard the voice of the Lord saying, \u2018Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?\u2019 And I said, \u2018Here am I. Send me!\u2019\u201d<\/i> (NIV) Someone must go, and I can, so I will speak Isaiah\u2019s words. \u201cHere am I. Send me.\u201d<\/i> My voice will be God\u2019s voice. My words will be God\u2019s words. My message will be God\u2019s message.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Because God has been preparing me for this moment.<\/span><\/b> Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) reminds us, \u201cWe are God\u2019s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.\u201d<\/i> All those years in ministry, teaching and learning has led me to this moment. To believe that there is more to life beyond my tiny world of existence. God has prepared me for this opportunity. It is up to me to accept it and allow Him to work through me for His kingdom\u2019s sake.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
I have a meeting this evening with the leading couple. My questions will be answered. The mission will be presented. But in the end, I know I will be signing a contract to go on this service trip.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There are some hurdles to jump. A passport. Immunization shots. Money. But God will join me on this journey and because He is with me, I can hold tightly to His power, His strength, and His wisdom. My faith can rest assured that He will come through. <\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
You\u2019ll hear more of my journey over the next few weeks. I can\u2019t wait to be able to share more details. But until then, I pray that God will break your heart for what breaks His.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Donna<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
[i]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> words and music by Brooke Fraser \u00a9 Brooke Fraser\/Hillsong Publishing (adm in the U.S. and Canada by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

During our worship service this past weekend, an upcoming service trip was presented to the congregation. Some details were given. Things like the date, the location, and the importance of service trips to name a few. The couple leading the group are veteran missionaries. They have a deep desire to share the Gospel with anyone […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_s2mail":"","_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,26,9,21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-following-god","category-serving-god","category-sharing-god","category-trusting-god"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=218"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}