Walking Straight Toward Jesus

I wrote this in my prayer journal on the second day of my mission trip with Family Missions Company to General Cepeda, Mexico. It was one of my answers to the question, ‘Why am I here?’ I jotted this down after waking up and remembering I was in another country whose language I didn’t speak, with a group of people I had just met the day before. I wanted to leave this trip with a deeper relationship and love for Jesus. Now, I can say without a doubt, my prayer was answered in many unexpected ways.

Jesus’ heart can always be found in the poor, and being close to them was a step closer to Jesus. The people I met had few material possessions, and yet, so much love and faith. Coming home made me realize how easily the world and all its distractions take up room in my heart, taking up the space I need Jesus to fill. Experiencing poverty, even for a short week, was a reality check to how quickly I forget that Jesus calls me to embrace less worldly possessions so I can have more of Him. Encountering the poor meant encountering hearts that are full of faith and trust in the One who provides all they (and we!) could ever need.

I rediscovered Jesus through prayer and Scripture. Seeing the way the other missionaries and locals poured their hearts out to Jesus as they prayed openly is something I will always cherish. The trust and sincerity with which they prayed made me realize how prayer is a great display of love.

Our prayers may not always be answered as we want, but the act of humbling ourselves and praying for each other, inviting the Holy Spirit into our hearts, and trusting that God will hear us, brings so much comfort and peace. Prayer draws me closer to Jesus, where I need to be.

Prayer is a great display of love.

The Lord gave me a new heart for Scripture. Every verse I’ve read before has taken on a new, richer meaning. Before this trip, reading the Bible had become a mundane task. But hearing the Word proclaimed aloud during our prayer groups and worship services gave it new life. I easily forget just how vital God’s Word is for my spiritual well-being. Jesus is there waiting for me!

My deepest experiences of Jesus’ presence on this trip came through encountering my fellow missionaries. Initially, I felt reluctant to let myself be vulnerable around people I didn’t know. Then, I started to see the hearts of those in my group. Their faith was real and inspiring. Their complete surrender to, and love for, Jesus was somewhat intimidating and yet beautiful at the same time. They live in complete and total trust in God—with nothing held back! I want to be able to do the same. I was blessed to walk alongside these missionaries who give EVERYTHING to follow Jesus: carrying crosses of their own, bearing each other’s burdens, and living every day in complete dependence of God.

We meet Jesus in the hearts of others who walk with us straight toward Him.

I broke down by the end of the week because I realized just how close I felt to Jesus by being in community with the missionaries. The Lord used their hearts for Him to change my own. It made me realize we aren’t meant to walk this journey alone. We meet Jesus in the hearts of others who walk with us straight toward Him.

Going to Mexico with FMC changed my life. My frequent prayer since coming home has been for the Lord not to let me forget all I experienced and not to let me go back to being the same person I was before.