Up until a year ago, I was pretty good at ignoring the message. I would turn away whenever they’d flash a picture of a sad kid on the screen. I’d tell myself there’s no way I could afford to sponsor a child — that someone else would step up and sponsor them. It just wasn’t me. Until my friend, Robin, went to India with Compassion and changed everything.
And I thought to myself…maybe I could just sponsor one child.
Robin’s a great writer. She felt she needed to be a voice for these kids who don’t have a voice. When she returned, she wrote about how she was changed and wouldn’t look at anything the same way. Pedicures. Expensive dinners. All the luxuries of home. Her newfound perspective broke through my will, and I sponsored a girl with the same birthday as me.
And I thought to myself…I’m doing my part. I sponsored a child. Just don’t ask me to go out of the country.
Several months later, an email came into my inbox offering for members of the She Seeks team to go on a Compassion trip. I sat on my hands so I wouldn’t respond to it, and swiftly deleted the email so I wouldn’t have to look at it. I prayed that God would send others, but just not me. Two of our team went, and they were changed.
And I thought to myself…I don’t want to change. I don’t want to look at things differently. I’m comfortable here.
In the weeks that followed, a Compassion representative came to town. She spoke of Compassion kids and the work they are doing through the local churches in other countries. She shared with the She Seeks team how we can get those packets that represent real children to take with us when we travel and speak.
And I thought to myself…Whew. She’s not talking to me. I don’t speak. I hide behind my computer.
Though I tried to avoid it, suddenly, she looked me in the eyes. I didn’t want her to, afraid of what I would see. I saw the hurt she had for these kids. I felt her heart hurting for them. That’s when I knew.
And I thought to myself…I’m going on a trip. I don’t know when. I don’t know where. I’m scared. But I know I’m going.
And though I sometimes hide behind my computer, afraid of to face the change I fear, I know I can’t stay comfortable and safe forever. He’s asking me to care about the kids Compassion reaches. He’s asking me to go and see them for myself. And though I’ve said no many times before, I’m finally saying yes.
And I thought to myself…I’m ok with that.
Resources…
Maybe God’s just calling you to sponsor a child right now. Check out Compassion’s website and find the child God has for you.
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Something Else…
Take a look at the video from Switchfoot and take the quiz to see if you will dare to move.
Lisa Boyd is the Tech Dudette who’s most comfortable on her computer with an internet connection and a refrigerator full of Cokes in the next room. She blogs occasionally at http://simplyhis.org
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I am most comfortable home, in my house. I know God wants me to move but sometimes I am too afraid to. What am I afraid of? How sad that I am missing out on what God has for me because of fear. Oh God, I do not want to hide behind those fears any longer! Please forgive me for forgetting just how awesome You are, for not fearing You! I want to be courageous and stand firm…for You, with You. Move me Lord!
Hey Karen!
Thanks for sharing your fears. It’s nice to know that I am not the only one. God has been moving me at a slow pace and I’m thankful for that. If He threw something at me all at once, I might just freak out and stay in bed
Lisa B.
Lisa,
Reading your words…it’s as if I was reading the words of my own heart. I am comfortable where I am, doing what God has called me to do. Now I am willing to support others on mission trips and love to pray for them and hear their stories. But the thought of going on my own…of leaving my comfort zone…of stepping out into the unknown…no way!! Your post today makes me think that answer should be…”not yet anyway.”
Thank you for sharing from your heart today. I pray that God will take what He has planted in your heart and do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that you would ever ask or imagine. You have such a beautiful heart, Lisa, whereever He takes you, He will use you to touch lives in a mighty way.
Blessing to you,
Wendy
Although I have never been one to desire to stay at home (I love to travel!), I can so identify with becoming comfortable right where I am, and avoiding change! I also can identify totally with the way God has moved you slowly toward something BIG… we are experiencing that as well. How exciting to see what God is doing in you, through you, and for you!! Big hugs!
This was so unbelievably insightful. I so understand! I was the same way until I went to a Mercy Me concert a few years ago. That is when I realized that God loves these kids as much as he loves me and that I can sacrifice just a few of my indulgences every month to give one child almost everything they need.
Our Compassion child’s name is Veronica. I would love to go on a Compassion trip. I wish they would ask me. Go girl… don’t talk yourself out of it. Just go!
@Wendy : Thank you for your sweet words and your prayers. I’ve always struggled with what I can do for God, when I just need to be more open to God’s leading.
@Mandy : You can travel for me
I actually don’t mind traveling, but it’s the thought of traveling in another country that blows my mind. Things are just different — really different — and when you’re just a good ol’ country girl, going into a big city is as different as you want to get sometimes!
thank you for this reminder. I am praying about going on a mission trip in march 2011 to wichita kansas and st.louis with moody bible institute and i am uncertain of if i can do it.
My biggest fear is getting out of comfort zone. After reading that though it gives me confidence that if God directs me to go i willl be obedient and follow wholeheartedly.
Will keep all of you posted on what happens.
Lisa,
So good to read about another tech dudette who is nervous about leaving the comforts of home!
God recently led me into a leadership position with Compassion, after 4 years of being a sponsor. Next month, I am going to Uganda- my first trip with the organization.
I never thought I would make it to this point… my heart was focused on local missions, but I never understood the needs overseas until I started learning more about Compassion. It’s not just about money… poverty affects everything these children know. These children have so little… but they are so thankful for what they do have and so receptive to the hope Christ offers them.
Go on the trip… let the Lord change your heart and share your findings with the world. People succumb to apathy because it is comfortable, it is familiar. If we continue to ignore poverty, it’s only going to get worse.
I love this! I love outreaches and man, I wish I could go somewhere and do something. Really awesome Lisa that you decided to do this, pretty cool!
<3
Thanks Amy, Nicole, Gina and Mel!
This week has been a tough one for me already. The devil’s been after me in some big ways. I know I talk like a trip is already planned, but I have no idea where or when I may go. I just know that God finally got me to a point where I’m willing to consider it
It only took him 2 years to break through my hard head!
Praying for each of you this week that God will give you courage to get out of your comfort zone and reach out to someone else — doesn’t have to be in another country
Lisa,
Love this post, love that you are willing to share in a very honest way and I love YOU!
Thank you for shining light on Compassion’s work. You are dear to my heart!
Nicole, step on out, wichita is my home town and it is a great city and st louis is a really great place, the zoo is spectacular and free, don’t know what you would be doing in these two cities but trust the God that gives amazing opportunities to serve, go serve and be blessed!
Oh Lisa, I love your words and your heart. And so would have loved being in El Salvador with you. I pray that in the interim between now and whenever you go on a trip, that the Lord tills your heart’s soil with so much love it will overflow and will swallow any residue of fear.
Much love,
Sam
Wow! You inspire me to MOVE IT!
I tend to like safe too!
Hey…yes…it’s easy to hide. Especially if you are an introvert… God is calling me out to…I feel like Abraham…God called him out to a place he didn’t know…He just had to be willing to be lead.
We have sponsored a child through Compassion for almost 24 years now (well different ones because they grew out of the program). It has been such a blessing…and we found that even in the “lean” times…God gave us enough to share. It is an awesome privilege to be able to help a child across the world to move toward God. God does the hard part…we are just a small tool in His mighty hand.
God bless you!
Thanks so much Lisa! I know I’m next…I have always had “something going on” when the Compassion trips have come around. But this coming year is the year for me and this time I am ready. I can’t wait to have my heart changed
Lisa – this is beautiful. I love watching how you have grown and become on the outside even more of who you already are on the inside. Thank you for this challenge and for your honest words.