Don't Say "I Told Her So"

With me traveling internationally to third world countries by myself naturally I get a lot of conversations on the topic of my safety. Some of those people have said quite frankly they don't think I should go. Others have said something to the effect of "God will protect you." Thing is... what if I die over there? Or become seriously ill? Will those who told me not to go say "I told her so." or the ones who said God would protect me question Him?

So here is what I want to say, if I die or become seriously ill, don't say "I told her so" because it doesn't matter. If I knew at this moment that my earthly body would perish it wouldn't change me going. Jesus knew what was going to happen, He knew that he would be whipped, beaten, mocked, and crucified. Did that change Him following the Father's will? Did He look at the cross and say "Oh, this will hurt, I'm gonna die. I'm not going."? No He didn't. He knew what was going to happen and He did that for me. How can I do any less for my Jesus? How could I tell Him, "No, I won't go because I might die."? So you know if something happens, I followed my Jesus, I done His will for my life and when I leave this earthly world I will sit before the throne. I have no reservations, I have no conditions. I am going because God told me to go, I won't regret it, I won't back down.

And for the ones who say God will protect me... what if He chooses for me to die? What will happen then? Don't turn away from your faith. God never promised that if I followed Him that I would be "safe" He never promised that I would not become ill or face death. ("In fact, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2 Timothy 3:12)  What He did promise is that He would never leave nor forsake me. ("Be strong and courageous; don't be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6) that is the promise I carry with me when I step onto unknown soil. The Lord my God goes with and before me, I shall not fear.

In life or in death may every part of my life bring, glory and honor to my Father in Heaven. I pray that He eradicates every single thing in my life that does not belong to Him and takes me on a journey to fulfill His calling for my life no matter the cost while giving me the faith the follow Him with complete devotion.

I challenge you, don't stay where you are. Get up. Move. Go. Wherever God has called you. Whether it's across your kitchen table, across the street or across the world go spread the love and truth of Jesus. There are people out there dying and bound straight for hell, it's our job to spread the hope of eternal life to them. To show them the hope we have inside of us. We often ask God why He doesn't do something, He did, He created us.

Farewell my friends, as I journey onward to where God is leading me. Please keep me in your prayers that I will not waver in my faith, that I will remain firm and confident even when the journey gets rocky. Lord willing I will blog when I return. :)

~Until The Whole World Hears, Kriss Elise Beckman