I didn’t know it when I first signed up to be a missionary for Biking for Babies, but the pregnant women, their babies, and the centers that support them are why I am a missionary. It’s these people that pushed me and motivated me to stop standing still and to give everything.
I love seeing the physical transformation of our missionaries, but the more important goal of training and the ride is to allow Biking for Babies to be an avenue for our missionaries to be tested spiritually and to finish the ride more connected with Christ. I have watched God call young adults, from all walks of life, to let go of the comforts of this world they are clinging to so that they may cling more tightly to Him.
To truly trust, it is necessary to recognize the anxiety, frustration or whatever you’re feeling. Once you accept this feeling, you can allow yourself to process it and move on. But it takes an active realization and acceptance of your feelings, rather than ignoring them, to hand them over to God.
Confusing opportunities are in fact the perfect time to lean into the arms of Christ, to say, “Lord, I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know how this could possibly be the end. It wasn’t supposed to be this way in my mind. But I know that your plans are bigger than my own. Help me to trust in your promise. Help me to believe that you will not hand me a viper when I ask for bread. Help me to know your love for me.”
In a time where we are desperately searching for hope, are we aware of the hope that is right in front of us? The war is already won. We can proclaim hope over despair. All because of the empty tomb.
Nobel Prize winner, humanitarian, and foundress of the Missionaries of Charity in Calcultta, India, Mother Teresa has often said, “Of all the diseases I have known, loneliness is the worse.” So how do we, as people of pro-life conviction, battle this epidemic of loneliness? How do we live out our pro-life conviction in the midst of a crisis requiring us to love one another by separating ourselves physically?
You see, sometimes it’s tough to remember that God’s plan is bigger than our own. That if we just let go of our own control, He has something way better planned. And do not be surprised when He shows up and possibly “wrecks everything.” The apostles’ vision for their lives were wrecked at the crucifixion, but when Jesus returned to them and then sent His Spirit upon them, the world was never the same.
In this time, we must pray that our missionaries are “all in” for the entire season. No matter the inconvenience and no matter the cost. Not because we wish hardship on our missionaries, but because we know all too well that the Devil will try to make us bow out. He will try and make us fear for the comforts our missionaries are forfeiting.
It is time for the “maybe” generation to say “yes” and mean it. It is what Christ asked of His earliest disciples and it should not shock us that He is asking us the same thing now.
This time of year we find ourselves full of hope: we just experienced the birth of our Savior and celebrated joyfully with our families with rich food, generous gifts and special time. It’s “the most wonderful time of the year” and we try to remember that as we run around searching for the best gift or making that treat someone loves. It truly is an extraordinary season that seems to fill our spiritual cups for the ups and down of the year that will follow.
