By Jessica WildeFor if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are rational, it is for you. (2 Cor 5:13) I came to Big Woods with the big dream of being Jesus’s hands and feet in the world. But I also came bearing the scars of persecution. To walk with God often requires a counter cultural response to the world and so we have received a lot of criticism. When we got engaged at 19, we heard “Most people don’t do this.” When we decided to become a one car family, we heard “Most people don’t do this.” When we downsized to a condo, we heard “Most people don’t do this.” When we decided to adopt a handicapped child, we heard “Most people don’t do this.” When we decided to become foreign missionaries, we heard “Are you out of your mind? Families don’t do this!” In moments like these, I often recall Jesus’s words to St. Peter: “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do” (Mt 16:23). These voices were not from God! The devil was trying to discourage us and tear us from God’s path. These voices caused me to feel small in the eyes of the world. These voices left me feeling weak and worthless. It is so easy to fall into the trap of despair, loneliness and worthlessness especially when these words come from those we love. We must remember that the devil is the prince of lies and to ignore these voices which are counter to God’s will for our life and cling to the truth. So what is the truth? Or the better question is Who is the truth? The truth and the life is Jesus Christ. As St. Paul writes “We are fools on Christ’s account” (1 Cor 4:10). In order to do this, we humble ourselves, die to our worldly desires and abandon our personal pride in order to allow Jesus to enter completely into our hearts and be our guide. Jesus was counter-cultural, and as followers, we shouldn’t do what most people do! It was in the little chapel here at Big Woods that I felt Jesus pour His confidence back into my soul until it completely engulfed me. I realized that what matters is that Jesus loves me. He died for me! I am worthy of His love. Every choice I make for HIM is the right choice regardless of what the voices of the world say. Jesus is the ultimate source of my confidence. Jesus is my strength. So it is in these moments when the world is questioning us, when we feel the absolute weakest that we are actually our strongest! Because it is at this time that we can choose to cling to the One who loves us unconditionally. It is in these moments that we can choose to ignore the voices of the world and only have eyes and ears for Jesus.
I praise the Lord that I choose His path. I praise the Lord for our marriage. Jason is my best friend and my love. I praise the Lord that we downsized our car and condo. Unknowingly, this was the beginning of our path to gospel poverty. I praise the Lord that we adopted Chi Yu. He is my baby boy that was born of our hearts. He is the joy of our life. I praise the Lord that we became missionaries and are fools for Christ. He is my all. I praise the Lord that we didn’t listen to the many voices that tried to drown out our Lord’s call. All of the best things in my life would not have happened if I had listened to these voices. I praise the Lord for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my life and for the gift of parrhesia to walk confidently with Him through life. Now when I hear these voices attempting to drown out the Lord’s call, I’m quick to turn to Jesus for my strength. Each and every one of you reading this is worthy of Jesus’ love. He is waiting to fill you up with His unending love. But in order to find real joy in Him, you must ignore what the world is telling you and instead follow His will. My journey so far has been crazy beautiful--your journey will not look like mine, but it should appear just as crazy to the eyes of the world and yet beautiful to God.
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On a MissionTwo passionate parents and their four children are excited to bring His Word to everyone in need while living a life of Gospel poverty as missionaries. They invite you to join them on a journey to encounter our global neighbors that Jesus commands us to love through works of charity and service. Archives
April 2021
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