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“There once was a girl named Lia…”
This was the little tune that my grandpa would sing whenever he saw me. It was the one and only line to the jingle, usually finishing with a gentle laugh. Yet, these simple words made me feel so special and so loved. I soon grew expectant to hear the song when I entered the room, feeling jipped when he occasionally forgot to say it.
There once was a girl named Lia. That girl always searched for what was…different. She always wanted to be different from everyone else and she usually succeeded.
When everyone else followed the instructions on the box, she found a way to skip a step or add a step. When everyone else raised their hands to stay inside for recess, she held hers by her side. When everyone walked in line, she found a way to remain out of step from everyone else. When her mom brushed her hair nice and even on each side, she moved a chunk of hair to the other side.
But it wasn’t too long before she discovered that her dogged uniqueness could actually be used for good. When others ignored the new kid, she became their friend. When the other students skipped homework, she did the extra credit as well. When many looked for romance, she looked for righteousness. This is not to say that she was always the kindest friend, top student or perfect saint. She certainly was not. But she was propelled into a newer version of herself due to that simple discovery that one could be different in all the good ways. She began to learn the importance of embodying the words from Romans 12, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Italics added).” Her purpose was to be different for Jesus, not for her own desires.
Where has Jesus led Lia to be different?
Eswatini, Malaysia, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Well…Almost.
As you know, I’m Lia and I’m going on the World Race. I want to go, to be different and to make a difference. Yet, I have learned acutely over the last two months that I cannot make a difference by myself. I need my support team. I need you walking alongside me. And we need the Lord to sustain our relationship.
I have been reading a book titled, “The God Ask” which describes the relationship between the ministry worker (me), the potential partner (you) and God. A potential partner may be asking God where to invest their resources while I am asking God for a partner to journey with me. When both sides ask God their questions, the Lord will pair up the two willing parties (you and I) to accomplish His Kingdom work. In this way, we need each other. I often pray that my support team will be the group of willing people who invest prayers, finances and/or time in me and this ministry, stemming from God’s leading in their hearts to join this mission. When led by God, my partners will be blessed by God astronomically. As 2 Corinthians 9:6 says, “…whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
As each day is marked off the calendar, I anticipate the joys and sorrows of serving individuals living in seemingly different worlds than my own. I recognize that these same individuals will also serve and grow me more than I could possibly serve or grow them. Knowing these things, I often feel my heart burn, longing to GO. Great heavenly treasures are awaiting the children of God who decide to sow generously. For me, I am sowing time, energy and even tears. For others, that is prayer, money and even their tears. It is appropriate then to ask: Is the Lord assuring you that this is the journey you could be a huge part of?
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