Tomorrow morning I’ll be packing up my tent in Georgia and heading to Costa Rica with my squad for our first month of ministry on the race. Wow. Writing that made me cry a little. This week at launch has consisted of a lot of teachings, trainings in my role on my team, and preparation for ministry. It’s been awesome. It’s been tiring. God has consistently been reminding me that all the things I’m being trained to step into aren’t just for the race – its for the rest of my life. Not only because I feel called to ministry, but because as the body of Christ sharing His word, loving His people well, living in community, and accessing the power of the Holy Spirit is what we’re meant to do daily.
For the past week or so I’ve been reading the great commission on repeat.
“And Jesus came and said to them, ’All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
There is so much goodness in this verse, and so much excitement in the command to go. But what’s been hitting me hard this week is “to the end of the age” and all that Jesus promises me in this short phrase. He promises to walk by my side to the end, to love me to the end, to protect and provide to the end, to continue growing and shaping me until the end.
Today it hit me that after years of waiting, I can finally say I’m a missionary and not just that I want to be. When I wake up tomorrow I’ll be starting my journey of long-term missions and stepping into the calling I received years ago. The world race may only last a year, but this trip is just the beginning and the starting place for my partnership with God in missions. I’m so excited (once again crying a little as I write this) and I’m clinging to the promise that Jesus will be with me in this until the end of the age. I hope to learn and experience so many things this year, but honestly learning to sit in that promise is the most important thing to me.
SK, looking coward to following your exciting journey!
This is Amazing Sarah-Katherine! Can’t wait to hear about your travels and those you impact ??
Our granddaughter…the missionary; we love knowing our Lord is guiding you in all that you do.
Sarah I am so very proud of you and your faith. Wow Missionary??I guess it has hit home to a lot of us. I too am crying a little. A little memory of a little 4 yr old beautiful girl dancing on my coffee table singing and telling us she was gonna be a dancer. And you were the the best. Now God has called you to serve him and i know you will be there and do your best. I love my granddaughter. Yes im now blubbering ????????????
It’s so wonderful that you love God so much and read HIS word daily! I am proud that you have this desire to be a disciple for God! I pray that many people get to know God’s love through you! You are amazing.. so happy for you.. lots of hugs and love to you!??????????Grandma Paboo
Continued prayers for you and your squad!! I have never been a missionary, but I do know how exciting it is to pack up my tent and venture off to a new place. I cannot even imagine how exciting it must be for you and your dear, new friends knowing that you will be sharing the love of Jesus on your journey. You are embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, blessings to you and looking forward to updates! God bless, Cousin Meredith from NC
Lots of prayers daily sweet girl! As I was reading this I was seeing the picture of you from years ago on one of your first mission trips…with all the beautiful children surrounding you. I love love that you are following your calling and your dreams. Adventure on Golden Girl!
love and HUGS, Aunt Michele
Yesterday you were a tiny dancer. Today you are a missionary. The Lord has set you on this path. Prayers for you and your squad.
I know you are filled with great joy and excitement. You are God’s Light, Sarah Katherine! You are fulfilling God’s plan! Love you and praying for you!
I am proud of the young woman you are becoming. You have such a pure heart, a heart full of love for your fellow man, a heart of service, a heart dedicated to the Lord, a heart for missions. Praying for you daily and know that Gods is guiding your path. Love you sweet child o God
Thanks for sharing that verse and pointing out the truth that Jesus truly will be with us until the end of the age. One thing that struck me was Jesus said ’All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’. I realized that when I see poverty and injustice and illnesses to an overwhelming degree, I must remember that Jesus has all authority. Therefore, He must be allowing it for purposes that serve His stated goal in Matthew 18:14
‘Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.’