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Can I let go of my list?

by Jenny Smith  
3/23/2007 / Missions

Can I share a secret with you? I am scared to death about our upcoming trip to Mexico. Now before you send me emails with Bible verses with fear not in them, believe me, I have already read them but the fear has stayed with me. This morning I was wrestling with these feelings Ie been having and what to do with them when I had a brilliant ideal!

I would do a little research on the internet and put my fears to rest! I read several articles when I came across an article titled Why most mission trips are a WASTE OF TIME.

I was intrigued, and as I read the article it became very clear to me why I had all this fear.

Loss of control, here in the USA I like many of you, have a list that keeps me on task most days. I like the feeling of writing it down, finishing it and then marking it off.

I recently took the girls shopping for some things I think we need for Mexico and you guessed it: I had a list! Which we bought, checked off and enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment.

When I read this article by Noel Becchetti she tells of a couple differences between here in the US and Mexico, and the one that stopped me dead in my tracks, was when she points out that our culture is linear, task-oriented and theirs which is nonlinear, people-oriented.

Huge difference, she gave several examples but the one that grabbed my heart, was Let Go and Let God. She talked about how sometimes there isnt a detailed schedule because it is about the people there and how their culture operates.

All my fears were coming from this big unknown, our detailed schedule I felt like I needed all this information so I could check my list! Poor Trish. I know she is thinking I wish she had read the article a week ago! Before I asked question after question.

After thinking through the article, I started thinking about Jesus did He have a detailed task list? I was drawn to John 4:1-42 where He leaves Judea and heads to Galilee. According to verse 4, it says He HAD to go through Samaria. Actually He could have gone another way. In fact normally they would have gone any way but through Samaria. Could the had to be the same pull I think we all are feeling about going to Mexico?

Yes, He was drawn to Samaria to develop a relationship with a woman who then turned around and changed her village by sharing Jesus with them and bringing them to meet Him. Isnt that our goal also?

Once I realized that I am afraid to be out of control of the situation. I could see that this is a great chance to increase my faith, which is walking not by sight (my list) but walking in the knowledge that Jesus has the plan I just need to show up and be ready! Thus my fear has vanished!

Jenny Smith
www.gowatersedge.com
[email protected]

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