Living with Open Hands
“Amber, why don’t you just go to Thailand with us?”
“Well, I know I’m supposed to focus on church planting, and you guys already have someone doing that.”
“Actually, that was me, and yesterday, God told me not to do it. I don’t even know what I’ll be doing now, but I know I’m not supposed to do that. So, we need someone.”
I laughed nervously as my future crumbled into uncertainty. Jokes had been made throughout our training about me going to Thailand, but I hadn’t actually considered it to be an option.
After having my eyes set on India for seven years, I was hesitant to consider that God might have other plans. Not wanting to let go of this dream or be loose in my commitment, it was difficult for me to actually admit that God might be redirecting me. Yet as I prayed through every question and concern, all of the doors were opened and barriers knocked down to clear the path for me to go.
One year ago, I would have laughed at you if you told me that I would be moving to Thailand, especially if you suggested that I would go with Adventures (that’s another story).
Training with the Thailand team was how I became open to the possibility of moving there, but what’s crazy is that I never would have ended up at that training if I hadn’t planned to move to India.
“The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
I’ve been learning that when I can’t see the whole path ahead of me, I have to just keep taking one step at a time. With each step I take on my journey, the next one usually becomes more clear.
I had been afraid that where the trail divided, I would pick the wrong path, and I was terribly afraid that I might choose a path that’s too difficult and not make it through the journey. But in all of my journeys, I’ve found that as I seek God in each step, He gives me the strength to press onward and maintains my sense of direction so I don’t lose the trail. Occasionally I can barely see where I’m placing my feet, but other times, I get to a high point on the trail and can see much farther ahead.
Going to Thailand, I don’t know what will happen. I’ve been warned that the path ahead of me will be unimaginably difficult. But I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and eventually realized that between two great options, there was no wrong choice, but one of them would get me a lot closer to my dreams.
I’m saying yes and stepping into the unknown because I am confident that God will be with me. It’s time for bold moves and trusting that God will show up.
