When it’s Not About How We Feel

I have no desire to go to Dominican Republic tomorrow. Though my carry-on is filled with clothes, will they warm my spirits as we rise over the continent?

And I know…for a short-term missionary; not feeling “spiritual” about a mission’s trip is probably “unrighteous” to announce to anyone…especially a bunch of other mission-minded women. 

I also know…I probably should be boasting about how God-full I am, and how holy and righteous this God-call is.  But I can’t.

For I am finding, some God-journeys come with tingles and feel good emotions, others require obedience, the kind found absent of “Sound of Music” lyrics playing in the background as we pursue them.

I mean…it’s not fear. I have laid hands on babies in China hours before they died, seen the lice literally crawling on the orphans alongside the railroad track children of Guatemala. I am not new to suffering.

But sometimes God calls us to rise, motivated by nothing more than the choice of obedience alone.  And regardless of what Hollywood and modern day media might want us to know; obedience doesn’t always “feel” good. 

Sometimes obedience just requires taking one blind-step after another, before we ever even “get” or understand where God is leading us.

Still friends, please know, it doesn’t matter who you are, we all practice some level of obedience. 

· Every time we pick up toys, wipe the counter, make our bed, or do what He asks of us, rather than watch t.v. or scan through Facebook…that is obedience.

· Every time we change diapers, tend to waking children (yet again), or lavish love on our husbands even though we were the ones who have had a long day…we are practicing obedience. 

· Every time we rise and go to church when we don’t necessarily “feel” like it, or pick up our Bibles and read because we trust disciplines like this feeds us…we are choosing obedience.

· Every time we reject what’s “easy” and work to simply love those who don’t deserve it….we are walking in obedience, instead of letting “feelings” dictate us.

And if we really want to be Missional Women, eyes fixed on the God-task before us, armed and equipped with the full arterial of Spiritual blessings, we need to take on the world and let our feelings be our tails, rather than the head that leads us.

And what about Jesus? Didn’t He go to Calvary out of love and obedience? Ether pleading for her people, Daniel facing the lion’s den, all because they were willing to be obedience. 

So, what if we got small?  What if we chose His will, His desires, His call above our own?  What if we stopped leading, and followed instead wherever He might take us? How might our lives look different?

I wrap my toiletries, grab my passport, and in a few hours follow my husband to the country God clearly called him to.  I don’t “feel” inclined to go.  I can’t even say I “want” to go. But I will choose to lay down my will, doing and going because I have learned to trust a God who knows what can’t see.  And God’s dreams are always so much bigger than our own. 

Where has God been leading you lately?  Is it in big leaps, or the slow, faithful journey as a wife, mom, or an employee? 

As I board my plane, going to a land of so many uncertainties, will you join me in praying, “I choose to trust you in this journey…not what I feel. Out of love and obedience Lord, not my will…yours alone, I choose to pursue.”

About Jen

Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on facebook.  

---

Want to read more from this contributor? Put her name in the search box at the top.  
Sharing this article over at these awesome blogs