Why Southeast Asia?

When I was first asked to go to Southeast Asia, my first thought was “WHAT?” About 30 seconds later my thoughts immediately switched to “Why God, why?” I genuinely was hoping to go back to Orlando for the Summer Orlando Project, and be in the comfort of last year. So after letting go my thoughts of Project, I decided to try to take in and understand why God might be calling me to go to Southeast Asia and spread the Gospel there.  So, I asked the question: Why does God call me (and us) to mission?

Here’s what the Bible says:

·         Mark 6:7-13 – Jesus sends the disciples out to preach the word as short term missionaries

·         Acts 1:8 – Jesus commands the apostles to do work in Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth.

o   What is Jerusalem? – Campbell?

o   Ends of the earth = the globe

·         2 Peter 3:9 – God wants all to hear the message of the Gospel, including unreached people groups

·         Ephesians 2:10 – God calls us each to a specific purpose, and wants us to glorify us through that purpose.

o   My skills: communication, photography, boldness

o   Those skill are very applicable to cross-cultural mission 

·         Matthew 5:14-15 – Light of the world. Glorify God through His work in the kingdom

·         Matthew 22:36-40 – Greatest commandments are call to love

o   How do we live out that love?

·         Matthew 28:18-20 – Great Commission is living out the love of the Savior. 

So, in conclusion:

Why do I want to go? Why should I go?

·        -   because I share God's heart for the lost

·        -  because I want to reach the lost for Jesus

 -     - because God wants me to follow his will

·         - because God wants me to trust Him

Having come to this conclusion, Spotify magically stepped in and began to play the song, “Somewhere in the Middle” by Casting Crowns. Here’s the chorus: 

“Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle”

I think God is calling me to trade my dreams of financial security, of studying abroad, of having it easy in Orlando this summer, of keeping Him at an arm’s distance for His love, His will, and His peace in my life. I think God wants me to grow in my faith, and gain deep, robust, rebounding faith. I’m scared, so scared to try to do this. But I really think I need to try.  Please friends, pray for me in this journey!!

Why “Seek First the Kingdom"?

 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33

If you are unfamiliar with the passage attached to the above verse, let me give some context.Matthew 6 immediately follows Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as well as the Lord’s Prayer. In verses 25-34, Christ discusses worry, and tells us not to worry about the things of this life.

I am a natural born worrier. I come from a LONG line of worriers, parents, grandparents, even great-grandparents! I just seem to naturally be concerned about people, their whereabouts, and what is going on the world. Sometimes, this manifests well: I care deeply about relationships, politics, and the like. But often, that worry becomes sin; I focus too much how things are not working out the way I’d planned, or how I’m late to an event. I get lost in the details of life and can no longer see clearly the big picture.

I’ve heard this passage many times I’m sure, but like many other passages, I’d never really HEARD this passage until January of this year. I’d never let it permeate my heart and my head, or let the weight of it soak into me like a sponge. However, after being asked to go to Asia this summer, I was searching for an answer to whether I should go. I found my answer is the form of Matthew 6.

As the Westminster Catechism states, the chief end of man is to, “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” To me, the question is: “How do we glorify God?” I’ve been working this past semester to try to answer that question for myself, and see what God is asking of me. So many passages stick out to me, but Matthew 6:33 seems to ring louder than the others. For me, however, this passage only makes sense in the context of Matthew 28, or the Great Commission. I, as a believer, have inherited a call to go to the nations, to bring the Gospel to the farthest reaches of the planet and right at home.

So, for this summer, I am going. I am going to a part of the world that desperately needs the Gospel. I am trying to heed the words of Matthew 6 and 28, and do the will of God. I am striving to enjoy God in this journey, and I am trying to learn and grow from all the curveballs thrown at me. This year is a Matthew 6:33 kind of year. 

Welcome to Seek First The Kingdom!

Welcome to Seek First The Kingdom!

     Welcome to my new blog, Seek First The Kingdom! The main goal of this blog will be to share my journey this summer to Southeast Asia and my walk with God with you! Firstly, let me show you around!

    If you look across the top of the page, you'll see a few tabs that will take you to a few different pages. These share different details of my trip. The first "How I Got Here" is my story. It is the tale of who I am, and what God has done in my life. Some of you have heard and seen this story first-hand, but many of you I do not get to see often, and I wanted to be able to show you who I am and what our God has done and is doing in me! Second, you will see "Giving Six." This page contains the information you will need to support me financially. It contains the why and how of the money aspect of my trip. Even if you are unable to support me financially, it's still a pretty fun page! Finally you will notice "Prayers." This page will be updated frequently with  prayer requests for my journey, and I plead with you to pray hard for them! Prayer is the easiest way for you to support me!

     I am so excited that I have the means to share my trip and my life with you. Please check back often, or sign up for e-mail alerts!  I hope this blog becomes a place where God can work in you and me, and bring us closer to Himself. I know this is only the beginning of a  lifetime of service; I just ask that I am a open vessel for Him! 

Blessings,

Maggie