“In their hearts humans plan their course but the Lord establishes their steps.”
—Proverbs 16:9
Anyone who has ever said yes to God and followed Him on mission knows the truth wrapped up in this familiar proverb. We serve a God who is anything but predictable. His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8,9) and our attempts to anticipate or outguess Him usually prove to be futile.
Multiply’s Grant and Rachel (aliases) are, at this very moment, living out the mysterious, often surprising, but always wise ways of God.
Newly married, they have chosen to pursue God’s mission, allowing Him to establish their steps. They are both mission-minded and have international ministry experience under their belts. Grant has a Master of Divinity, Rachel is a certified nurse. As they began to discern their mission assignment through Multiply’s FOCUS training, it initially looked like South America would be a good fit. But it soon became evident that God, as He often does, had other plans for them. One door suddenly closed. Another unexpectedly opened.
Just a matter of weeks ago, they said goodbye to their families and familiar life in Canada to board a plane bound for... Sub-Saharan Africa. It’s not where they expected to be and they are basically starting from scratch—with no previous knowledge of the language or culture. But they are confident that this calling to love and serve people in a volatile part of the world is from God and they are resting in the assurance that He is purposefully leading them into this season.
With a deep sense of humility and a reliance on the Holy Spirit, they are now asking the question: “God, what are you doing in this land? And what role do you have for us?” They hope to meet people of peace, to help equip believers for ministry, and to reach the lost with the Gospel. Above all else, they are seeking to lay everything down and live with expectancy, waiting on God for direction.
As human beings, we find comfort in structure and control. However, we serve a God who delights in taking us out of our comfort zone, removing our safeguards, who asks us to release our grip on life and surrender control to Him.
Living on mission, as Grant and Rachel are quickly learning, can be both exciting and terrifying. It requires a courageous acceptance of God’s invitation—a laying down of our own agendas, desires, and expectations—and a daily decision to follow God wherever He might lead us.
Are you ready to go on a journey with our unpredictable God? Where is He inviting you to go? What is holding you back from taking that first step of obedience?
