My friend and I are headed to El Salvador in January. And I think I speak for both of us when I say we’re nervous-in-a-good-way and excited.

The only other international mission trip I have been on was to Brazil when I was 15. There my heart caught the spark of sharing the love of God and message of Jesus with all I come in contact with, overseas or in my neighborhood.

Since then I’ve been living life, cultivating relationships, sharing Jesus’ love for strangers who were hurting, financially supporting missionary friends and organizations I love, and working like every other human being.

A friend mentioned she was thinking of going on this particular trip, and later that night I told God, I think I want to go with her. What do You think?

After speaking with J and not receiving any rebuttal from God, but feeling recharged by the opportunity, I signed up this week.

These things I find stirring in me…

A desire for others, everyone I can meet, to know and experience His life and love like I experience it.

The affectionate feeling that God desires all the praise, worship, love, thanksgiving, and service. If I can be a small gear in that movement, I desperately want too.

He deserves it all, and the more we can share the message of Jesus with others, the more family members that will gather around God’s throne in Heaven.

Stepping out of your comfort zone is usually not that comfortable, but I am excited to step out and remain at peace because He is with me wherever I go.

There is a wonder in the reality that I am home no matter where I am, because of Holy Spirit.

Everything I need to love and serve as we travel, in El Salvador, and strangers I meet well, because His Spirit is inside guiding and providing for me in all ways. Isn’t that amazing? It is certainly a fear-squasher and confidence-builder.

His grace is what opens blind eyes and captures hearts. I am simply a mouthpiece, a hand to help, arms to embrace, a mind and mouth to express and tell. His grace does what I could never do.

His grace, His gospel message, inspires me to go — passionately, compassionately, and wholeheartedly trusting Him.

I think about Jesus’ prayer in John 14…

As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Missions should not be defined by the length of the trip or the distance of the flight, but should be a daily lifestyle we lean into because of Christ’s call on our lives to declare Him as King. The gospel compels us to go. We are not called to save people because only Jesus saves sinners. But if we truly believe in the gospel and abide in His Word, then it should be impossible not to share the good news of Christ with others. Missions exist for the same reason that you and I exist: for the glory of God, to make His name known and to declare His excellencies to others. Morgan Marshall

Praying for more and more grace.