One-Way Tickets

Last weekend I was on a retreat for one of my classes. We had been told to come prepared with a list of a dozen or so life-events and a short description of how they impacted us. I had listed things like my grandma's death, coming to Prairie, marrying Mogi, etc. We then divided those events into three categories: our "Gifted History" (good things we experienced basically without any effort of our own), our "Suffering History" (pain we experienced that we couldn't help) and our "Shadow History" (the brokenness of our own choices/patterns). We then spent the day praying through each of these items and asking God to highlight and speak to us about one or two specific areas. (It's a great exercise - you should try it!)

I want to share what God challenged and encouraged me with that day. But it requires some background...

A few months ago, Mogi and I spent time intentionally praying and seeking God about his will for our future. I graduate college this April, and we weren't sure what we should do after that. We have absolutely loved our time here at Prairie and would love to become more involved as staff somehow. Another option was to return to Germany - Mogi working, me learning the language and getting to know his family, etc. Or of course maybe God wanted neither of those for us and had something else in mind. So one week we were desperate for an answer, wanting to know God's will so we could be obedient and begin making plans. That weekend we headed off to a conference at church, and there...God showed up. 

We had been reading in the Bible the story of Zechariah. One day as he was just doing his priestly duty in the temple, an angel of the Lord showed up and told him that he was going to have a son, who would be John the Baptist. God just invaded his world with this huge announcement!

That's how Mogi and I felt. Just before one of the sessions, God showed up in our life and spoke very clearly, revealing his will. The speaker, who didn't know us, began praying over us and said, in essence, "God is sending you back to Germany...you will bring the glory of God back to that nation and will bring restoration to your family." WOW!

That was the answer we'd been looking for. It definitely resonated in our spirits. The reason we had been considering Germany is because we wanted to help Mogi's family, as they're experiencing some struggles health-wise and emotionally. And now out of the blue we hear from a stranger that God wants us there and promises to use us there! We were so relieved.

So this event was the last on my list of "impacting life-events." As I looked at it on my sheet of paper and started praying about it, God began speaking to me. I had placed it in the category of my "Gifted History." But God showed me that I hadn't really received it as a gift. Sure, I was excited about it at first. We had our answer from God! But then doubt started creeping in. Is this really God's will? Why can't we move in another year or two? God's doing amazing things here that we want to be part of! And then I faced fear. This will be the furthest I've ever been from my family. I don't know the language! What will a new culture be like?

Weeks and months passed. God continued to speak, confirming that this is his will. He's encouraged us through friends and family. He's spoken through dreams. He's already provided furniture for us - for free!

And yet as I sat reflecting and praying, I realized how self-centered I'd become. The goal in going to Germany is to serve others, and meanwhile I'd become concerned about my own comfort. I'd misconstrued God by forgetting that every good and perfect gift is from above - from a loving Heavenly Father who does not change (James 1:17). I had not been giving thanks.

Have you ever wondered what God's will for your life is? The Bible tells us what it is in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."


Rejoice...pray...give thanks. I believe that the whole matter of where to live and what to do after graduation is secondary to learning this principle of gratefulness. God didn't have to speak so clearly, but he did. It's a gift. He doesn't have to provide encouragement and confirmation along the way, but he does. It's a gift. He wouldn't have to daily remind us of his presence and his provision, but he will. It's a gift. And the only appropriate response to his gifts is saying thank you. 


So sometime soon, Mogi and I will be purchasing plane tickets to Germany...one-way tickets. Is it scary? Sometimes. Will it be easy? Not necessarily. But is it good? Absolutely. It is a gift. 


Here's a poem we heard recently in chapel that was a huge encouragement to us, and I pray it will be for you as well: 

The will of God will never take you,

Where the Grace of God cannot keep you,

Where the Arms of God cannot support you,

Where the Riches of God cannot supply your needs,

Where the Power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you,

Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,

Where the Wisdom of God cannot teach you,

Where the Army of God cannot protect you,

Where the Hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you,

Where the Love of God cannot enfold you,

Where the Mercies of God cannot calm you,

Where the Peace of God cannot calm your fears,

Where the Authority of God cannot overrule you.

The will of God will never take you

Where the Comfort of God cannot dry your tears,

Where the Word of God cannot feed you, 

Where the Miracles of God cannot be done for you,

Where the Omnipresence of God cannot find you.

The will of God...is good. And worth giving thanks for. 

We ask for your prayers as we begin to embark on this journey of a new season of our lives. It is exciting! We continue to wait on the Lord to reveal more details of what our ministry in Germany will be. But we rest in his goodness and his faithfulness, proven over and over in our lives. 

Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks,

The Moglers