Less than 24 hours...

Less than 24 hours now. Soon I will be flying towards Entebbe, Uganda, prepared (as much as I can be) to spend the next five months in a step of faith outside of my comfort zone. My bags are packed, I have said a lot of goodbyes and now is the final time of reflection that can be so tedious and uncomfortable.
In stark contrast to what I expected I am full of such a solid peace that passes my rational understanding. I reread through Luke a couple weeks ago and was taken by the words of Jesus. His call to leave it all and follow him can seem so daunting and too demanding. But the call to discipleship can be the most incredible step we ever take. It is a place of surrender that rationally does not make sense and so the one called is forced to rely on something or someone greater than human reasoning. I have found myself so many times, as I share with people about my passion for Uganda and decision to go, saying that if God is not real my life does not make sense and is an utter waste. And so I have been challenged to realize really why I am going. For those of you who know me well, I am not naïve- I question things and challenge arguments; I used to love debating… thanks to Tim Cain I only debate now if I really want to understand something that does not make sense to me. And with that drive in me I have questioned why I am doing this.
The answer is so simple. I believe the call of Jesus Christ is the word of God. And so, I believe that this call is to be taken as the truth. We live in a culture where truth is relative and right and wrong blend into one another. But I am convinced that Christ is the truth. So in response to his call I am surrendering my will to his. I am taking this step in confidence that the call of Christ is life. All of the other passions and desires and goals that can make up a lifetime make years spent chasing after them seem like living… but what a true and fulfilling sense of life is found in responding in faith to the call of Christ. I am experiencing that life now as I prepare to leave for Uganda. I could not be doing anything else in the world that would bring me such joy and confidence. This is life. Not because it is Uganda, but because it is obedience to Christ’s call… there is nothing better than this.
I don’t know what these next five months hold. I am excited to be living in the country that has become such a focus of my studies and passion. It will be a whole different world and such a step outside of my comfort zone… and this is the place of breaking and molding and growth. Challenging, but so rewarding. I am stoked.
Thank-you so much for those of you who have continued to pray for my family and me. What an incredible gift your prayers are.
I am looking forward to sharing this experience with you as it all unfolds…
Less than 24 hours…

Psalm 18 (fragmented)
1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the strength of my salvation, my stronghold.
30 As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God besides the LORD ?
And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
49 Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD;
I will sing praises to your name.