Answering the Call: Surrender to God’s Will

The Lord calls missionaries from various walks of life. If he asks us to leave behind worldly success, He doesn’t do it without filling our hearts with a greater, deeper joy than what the world can offer. Jason Becker, a missionary in Costa Rica, shared this reflection about his calling as his family was preparing for missionary training in 2018.

With many mixed thoughts and emotions, I ended my job as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In all honesty, leaving my counseling career behind has been one of the hardest aspects for me personally as we prepare to head back into foreign missions. It reminds me how strong the temptation is to find my identity and worth through my career. In the world’s eyes I was finally becoming somebody. I had finally made it. I was now a professional with letters behind my name. 

I have to admit that being able to tell people I’m a licensed therapist felt good. I finally felt like I was someone people would respect and admire. People were now coming to me for advice. I was gaining a solid reputation as a well-known Catholic therapist, and business was picking up.  Financial security was within reach.  

Then, I heard the Lord’s gentle, persistent voice asking me to just let it go and give it back to Him. His ways are not our ways! I am so thankful that the Lord loves me enough to challenge me to remember where my worth and identity are really to be found—in His will!  

I am reminded of the rich young man who came and asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. When Jesus told him to sell what he had, give it to the poor, and come follow Him, he went away sad, for he had many things that he was too attached to and couldn’t let go of. 

Instead of sadness, I feel a sense of growing peace and excitement that my family made the decision to let go of what we have to come and follow Him!

Jason and his wife Inge currently serve with their family in Costa Rica. They are serving the poor and helping to build up the domestic church, teaching families the importance of prayer in the home.