College student on a flight. Me. Heading to the unknown.
Meeting up with the rest of the team in Seattle. Then we fly together across the Pacific Ocean to Taiwan. There we’re scheduled to serve for ten weeks in various cities.
Suddenly, people on the plane start exclaiming. Calling others to look out the windows.
Clear, blue summer sky.
And we’re flying over snow-topped Mt. Rainier.
Magnificent.
Been there
I watch in awe.
Then tune in to a conversation going on behind me.
A man is talking about certain points on the mountain.
Where he set up a tent. Which trail he used. The rappelling at one place. Reaching the summit.
We’re all spectators of the mountain peak.
But he’s been there.
He’s hiked the ins and outs. Weathered crises. Understands which season to attempt an expedition. Lived through various challenges faced on different sides.
He knows the way.
Life journey
Life journeys we’re on involve the unknown.
Mountains and valleys. Delights. Dangers. Pitfalls.
But we walk with the One who knows each turn in the road. Every change of season.
He sees our tent sites. Unwise steps off the path. Any dangerous storms on the horizon.
Our God is already there. He knows the way.
And we can trust Him.
Unknown
That day between my junior and senior years in college, I’m heading into the unknown.
And little do I know, it will be the summer of my calling.
One afternoon a few weeks later, I’m in Hualien. And as I help with afternoon Bible club, the message comes strong and clear in my heart.
“This is what I want you to do. Cross cultures and share the Good News.”
Isaiah 61:1
Then, a letter arrives in the mail.
My campus minister sends encouragement. Starting off with the words of Isaiah 61:1.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
Follow Him
I don’t receive a timeline that summer. But sense deep conviction.
Follow Him. No matter what. No matter how difficult the terrain. Or obscure the path.
And at a student conference later that year, on December 31, 1979, I make public my commitment to go.
Wherever He leads.
Wherever He leads, I’ll go.
What about you?
Have you ever followed Him into the unknown? How has He confirmed and affirmed that calling?
Related
Untracked land – Yes, Lord – Handful of disciples – Sent – Scattered – Promises – Chart the future – Sent ones – Everything – Tents and altars – Isaiah 61 – Matthew 28:18-20 – Luke 9:23-26 –
10 replies on “Unknown”
I enjoyed this article as I live where Mt. Rainier looms large on the horizon when the sun’s out! We live ‘by faith’ in winter when its glory is obscured by almost constant cloud cover over Western Washington. A glorious sight from planes, the foot of the mountain, or miles away. It’s always a beautiful day when, as the locals put it, “the Mountain’s out!”
I love that you can see Mt Rainier! Thanks for sharing 😊
I remember some of these days. But didn’t know the Mt. Rainier story. I will think of it on my regular trek to SeaTac!
Love you friend.
You know that view! Thankful for our long history of friendship. Love you!
Called into the unknown and still called. Lots of reminders of that call. Sometimes it changes from what I know or expect, but still there.
Yes! Thankful we follow the One who knows the way🙌🏼
Saw you in Richmond but didn’t get a chance to say Hi.
😀…next time!
I remember that Student Conference on World Missions at Opryland in 1979. It was pivotal for me as well. Our college years were so formative for our future ministries.
Yes, they were! Thankful for how He speaks and leads.