I was walking towards the entrance of the GLA campus, thinking about the list of projects we had to get started on and finish for the day. Looking ahead, in a mindless wonder, “I’m sending you out again” came into my thoughts, surpassing everything I was thinking about. Instantly I knew this was God speaking to me about my future. I did not doubt this as I then asked “when?” He goes on to tell me “after the summer, it will be a last-second decision”. Woah. Hold on Zach. You’re telling me God spoke to you? I’m going to tell you yes, yes He did, and He does. All the time. And every time He does speak, It comes to pass. It manifests itself as truth. - John 10:27

The whole time throughout the race, I was consumed with anxiety and worry about the future after. My whole life the enemy has tried to attack me with worries about the future. Let me tell you, the Lord kept reminding me to not worry at all. It’s a command not to, I ask that you go read Matthew 6:25-34. This worry and anxiousness took away time from my presentness that I needed to walk out on the mission. But the Lord is full of grace and loves to give good gifts to His children. God saw the pressing I was going through as well as all the asking and decided to give me a taste of hope, a tiny insight to His big plan. And I held on. Held on tight. He spoke these words to me, and other things that gave me just enough peace to make it through. Time went on through the rest of Africa and into Ecuador. The worry stuck to my spine and crawled up to touch my thoughts once again. The time in Ecuador seemed to come to a grueling halt and now I couldn’t help but think about what the words “last-second decision” meant? But I pressed on. 

The United States culture will tell you to have a 10-year plan laid out of your life, your dreams, your desires, and your own big plan. I ask you, where does God say that? Life is a gift. You’re a miracle and God needs you for His bigger plan. Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” - James 4:13-15. I think it’s important to have dreams and desires. As does your maker. But wouldn’t you want to partner with Him for what your future looks like? Delight yourself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. - Psalm 37:4. 

Time went by towards the end of our great mission. Ecuador to debrief in Georgia to home. I was offered the amazing opportunity to help lead a squad on another gap year route going into August of this year. And let me tell you, it was a very last-second decision. So I write these things to give you hope. It’s not myself I boast about, but I will boast of Him and His goodness and grace. He wants to help you through your struggles, your tiniest to your biggest stresses. He wants you in every facet of your life. It's hard to believe but it’s who he is. If only we’d give Him all of this life, place it in his hands, and watch it play out. What a life that is.