Chosen, Called & Covered Part 3: The Return

As we sat around the campfire on the final night of our missions trip, we took time to reflect on the Lord's provision, struggles, and testimonies of our time together.

One of our high school girls began to share how, going into the trip, she faced challenges that led her to have a less-than-positive attitude about the experience. But upon entering into the work, God transformed her heart and allowed it to soften.

Her sharing this made me reflect on my own heart posture going into the trip. As you may already know from reading my previous blogs, I was scared. I was unsure of how everything was going to go down, uncertain of my leadership abilities, and just overall fearful of the unknown. This is where God encouraged me to have faith in Him.

I remember journaling during Day 1 of our devotions. The theme was "Called to Serve," referencing Mark 10:43-45, and it left us with this reflection:

"Remember this week that you're not here to be comfortable or to be the hero – you're here to reflect Jesus. True service isn't glamorous. It's often sweaty, tiring, and unnoticed. But in God's Kingdom, humble acts are honored. Start this week by asking anything you sense the Lord speaking to your heart."

I asked God, "How can I be a servant today?"

The response:

Be present. Don't be so busy that you don't notice the Lord's prompting or the subtle needs of others. Focus on being, not doing. Step into leadership or act as the Lord calls.

And most of all, listen. Be a supporting character, an understudy, prepped and ready to go "on" when needed. Support the main characters/team to complete the "play" to the best of their ability.

For so many years, even in service ministry, I had a tendency to make everything about me. How I was going to be the hero. How I was going to be the one to "save" others.

And here the Lord was calling me to take a back seat, let others lead, and ultimately let the Lord and His will be established. Even if that meant I went unnoticed or was behind the scenes.

I began to share this reflection with my group as we sat around the fire—that I too, like our high schooler, had to examine my heart and my motives going into this trip. I had to lay down my personal fears as well as expectations for myself and allow my will to be submitted to the Lord.

I began to recall to the group how, prior to the trip, God had been bringing to my memory the story of Rahab and how she acted in faith. In Hebrews 11, she is placed right up there with the likes of Abraham, one of the key patriarchs of our faith.

I explained that as Christians, especially in our Western culture, we like to identify with Abraham. We like to be the main character—the "hero" who listened to God and did bold, daring acts of faith that led to the salvation of many or to epic legacies (in this case, the most epic one of all, the return of Christ).

But here was Rahab. Not a central character in the Bible, a woman, and a prostitute with a shady past and an unknown relationship with God. In contrast to Abraham, who walked faithfully with God and became the Father of our faith, Rahab is only mentioned in the Bible four times, compared to Abraham's approximately 287 mentions.

And yet, Rahab is still listed side by side with Abraham in the Hall of Faith.

Is it possible that God loves the heart of our "understudy" Rahab as much as our lead character, Abraham?

I would say so.

I believe God was calling me to see that all hearts of obedience, despite our past, despite our knowledge of God, or the mistakes we have made, are precious and important to Him.

I began to explain that during our missions trip week, I prayed to have a heart and service like Rahab's. A willingness to be behind the scenes, but with boldness to step in and act when needed.

In saying "yes" to this role, I was taken by surprise at how deeply blessed I was to see our youth serving in incredible ways. I was able to step back and notice their actions, their kind words to one another, or when someone needed assistance.

I think if I had been too busy serving my own agenda, I would have missed these opportunities to catch our youth being extraordinary and praise them for it.

I could not have imagined a better view—watching our teens serve the Lord from the "wings" of the stage. Knowing I had put in the time and effort to prepare the set for them, I was there if they needed anything, but they were the ones who got to carry out the performance. And it was a beautiful sight to see.