Praise God
Some of the most amazing and life changing experiences in someone's life involves complete strangers and being docile to the Holy Spirit. Many times, we are afraid to say yes to God and complete his mission for us. We shy away from the idea of reaching out of our comfort zones and reject his plan for our lives. If we see beyond our personal fears and struggles and reach for God's hand, he will bless us in numerous ways, changing our lives little by little.
Part of my testimony that brought me to fully encounter Jesus involves my constant "no" to God in the past. Long story short, I have been through many difficult times, especially throughout high school, that caused me to stay closed-minded to God and ignore his push for my heart. With time, wounds heal and I was able to fully encounter Christ in the Eucharist back during my senior year of high school. Since then, my heart has been overflowing with love for Jesus and my heart has become softer. I have been able to change my "no" to "yes" when it comes to God's call in my life.
God has blessed me in numerous ways since then. I have had beautiful experiences that have strengthened my personal relationship with the Lord. Saying yes to God hasn't been easy, but it's been so incredibly worth it.
Just recently, God asked me to go to Ireland with 19 complete strangers to try and plant seeds in people's lives. At first, I thought he was crazy. I was asked to raise about $3000 in just two months, pray harder than ever, but most importantly, trust him with every ounce of my soul. Upon receiving the call that I had been accepted as a missionary, I immediately said yes. Once the conversation was over with my fundraising coach, I instantly started to regret what I had just done. I worried about everything there is worry about. But through the worry and fear, somehow, part of my heart was completely in love with the idea of evangelizing in Ireland.
The trip came and went, and now I can see why Christ led me where he did. First off, the group of beautiful Catholics I went with was incredible. Every single person on the trip helped me grow in my faith and made me feel so loved, even through my past mistakes. Secondly, the people of Ireland needed to feel this same love. Ireland is predominantly Catholic, but as one student described, "being religious in Ireland is a chore". My heart is completely full, yet broken for the Irish people. I got to build relationships with citizens from all ages, and got to see their hearts open to the idea of accepting Christ in their lives.
Leaving Ireland was probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Yes, it is an incredibly beautiful country and the experiences I had were great, but these aren't the reasons why leaving was so hard. Leaving the people who I started to build relationships with was very difficult. Most of the people I encountered don't know Christ or even their potential to love him. They don't understand how much they are loved by him or by any of us. I can see the pain they all experience, day by day, and I want nothing more than to love them constantly every single day. The Irish people need hope. Hope to know that they're not alone and not there "just because". They need to know that there is a bigger and greater plan for their lives, beyond this physical world. Ireland needs to know that they are unconditionally loved.
I've only been out of Ireland for about 48 hours, but my heart is still there. Coming back to my regular life has already been difficult knowing that there is so much that needs to be done in Ireland. But that won't stop me from continuing my discipleship or evangelizing journey here in the States. God has called me to evangelize, no matter where or what country that might be in. Without this experience, I wouldn't understand the concept of evangelization or even loving others through their struggles. It's definitely not going to be easy, but I know it will be well worth it when I see all those I encounter in Heaven someday.
Say yes to God. Never think you're not enough or good enough to have a personal relationship with Christ. All of your struggles and fears are nothing compared to the everlasting love Christ gives you everyday. He wants your pain and heartaches placed at the foot of his cross. Give it all to him and begin to encounter him in all that you do. You are worthy of his mercy and love.
Praise God.
"For God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called."
Part of my testimony that brought me to fully encounter Jesus involves my constant "no" to God in the past. Long story short, I have been through many difficult times, especially throughout high school, that caused me to stay closed-minded to God and ignore his push for my heart. With time, wounds heal and I was able to fully encounter Christ in the Eucharist back during my senior year of high school. Since then, my heart has been overflowing with love for Jesus and my heart has become softer. I have been able to change my "no" to "yes" when it comes to God's call in my life.
God has blessed me in numerous ways since then. I have had beautiful experiences that have strengthened my personal relationship with the Lord. Saying yes to God hasn't been easy, but it's been so incredibly worth it.
Just recently, God asked me to go to Ireland with 19 complete strangers to try and plant seeds in people's lives. At first, I thought he was crazy. I was asked to raise about $3000 in just two months, pray harder than ever, but most importantly, trust him with every ounce of my soul. Upon receiving the call that I had been accepted as a missionary, I immediately said yes. Once the conversation was over with my fundraising coach, I instantly started to regret what I had just done. I worried about everything there is worry about. But through the worry and fear, somehow, part of my heart was completely in love with the idea of evangelizing in Ireland.
The trip came and went, and now I can see why Christ led me where he did. First off, the group of beautiful Catholics I went with was incredible. Every single person on the trip helped me grow in my faith and made me feel so loved, even through my past mistakes. Secondly, the people of Ireland needed to feel this same love. Ireland is predominantly Catholic, but as one student described, "being religious in Ireland is a chore". My heart is completely full, yet broken for the Irish people. I got to build relationships with citizens from all ages, and got to see their hearts open to the idea of accepting Christ in their lives.
Leaving Ireland was probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Yes, it is an incredibly beautiful country and the experiences I had were great, but these aren't the reasons why leaving was so hard. Leaving the people who I started to build relationships with was very difficult. Most of the people I encountered don't know Christ or even their potential to love him. They don't understand how much they are loved by him or by any of us. I can see the pain they all experience, day by day, and I want nothing more than to love them constantly every single day. The Irish people need hope. Hope to know that they're not alone and not there "just because". They need to know that there is a bigger and greater plan for their lives, beyond this physical world. Ireland needs to know that they are unconditionally loved.
I've only been out of Ireland for about 48 hours, but my heart is still there. Coming back to my regular life has already been difficult knowing that there is so much that needs to be done in Ireland. But that won't stop me from continuing my discipleship or evangelizing journey here in the States. God has called me to evangelize, no matter where or what country that might be in. Without this experience, I wouldn't understand the concept of evangelization or even loving others through their struggles. It's definitely not going to be easy, but I know it will be well worth it when I see all those I encounter in Heaven someday.
Say yes to God. Never think you're not enough or good enough to have a personal relationship with Christ. All of your struggles and fears are nothing compared to the everlasting love Christ gives you everyday. He wants your pain and heartaches placed at the foot of his cross. Give it all to him and begin to encounter him in all that you do. You are worthy of his mercy and love.
Praise God.
"For God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called."
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