A Finite Follower of an Infinitely Wise God

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

-Proverbs 19:21

I had so many plans. Plans to be a nurse; plans to be a wife and a mom, which is an awesome gift and responsibility, but I also planned to find my happiness and completion there; plans to live a comfortable American life--but the purpose of the Lord stands firm in my heart and life and I couldn't be more humbled and thankful.

I NEVER imagined that I would be a missionary. Honestly, when missionaries would come to visit our church I thought to myself, "These people have to be insane to leave their families and their own culture and language and go to a place that is completely different. Why would they want to do something like that?" And then I began to truly learn what it meant to follow Christ and I realized that these people weren't crazy, but obedient worshipers of their Savior. And HE began to do a work in my heart to show me that His purpose was quite different than the plans I had in my mind.

I went to the Czech Republic for the first time the summer of 2006. I don't know how else to describe what happened when I stepped off of that plane other than, "Okay God, this is what you have been preparing me for." I walked into a country where I had never been before, with people that spoke a language I couldn't understand beyond 'fakt' and whose culture was completely outside of everything I was used to--and yet I felt like I was at home. I didn't know exactly what was going on in my heart, but I knew that whatever it was, God was doing something significant in my life.

For those of you reading this who have never been to the Czech Republic, I wish I could take you there with me. I wish you could see the hopelessness in the eyes of so many and yet the great hope that comes when you hear the testimony of just one life that has been completely transformed and brought from darkness into marvelous light. I wish you could feel what it's like to know that you are part of something SO much bigger than yourself, something that has eternal significance. I know that God is at work in amazing ways all over the world and I praise Him for that. But, I am so thankful that He has allowed me to see some small part of His plan for all the earth as it unfolds in the Czech Republic and that He has laid upon my heart a love and a burden for the people of this country.

I know that I am SO inadequate to be part of what God is doing in the Czech Republic. In fact, when I begin to think in terms of what I can do in my own strength and power, I am completely overwhelmed and feel like quitting. But, then I remember that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in me (Ephesians 1:19-20) and that I am simply a jar of clay meant to display HIS beauty and power (2 Corinthians 4:7).

So, here I sit today, simply trying to follow my Savior. There are plenty of reasons why it would be easier or more comfortable to stay in America. But, there's one reason to go to Czech: my life is no longer my own and my Savior has changed me to be His obedient worshiper. Jesus Christ died not just to save me from hell, but to change my heart so that I might display His beauty and sufficiency to a dark and desperate world. As of right now in my life, fulfilling that means beginning the process of being a full-time missionary in the Czech Republic. I have made plans in this direction knowing that I don't know the mind of the Lord or the plans He has. I know that regardless of what plans I may make, HIS purpose prevails and in that I rejoice.

Because He is faithful to fulfill His purpose,

Emily