Steps of Obedience

Last week, Sandra was kindly helping to get the word out about a human trafficking series I have been running on my blog.  She wrote, "One of my on-line friends, Kristi Stephens, has a mission. Her mission is to help rescue women and children from human trafficking."

In a weird sort of way it was uncomfortable to see in writing - someone else's writing - that freeing victims of human trafficking is my mission.  I never felt "called" to fight human trafficking.  There was no clear sign from God.  I didn't wake up one day and decide to be an abolitionist.

But I know this: I was redeemed from my own slavery to sin by a God who loves justice and mercy, who gave me grace when I deserved hell, who offered me true freedom in His Son.  So when I heard that 1.2 million children are trafficked internationally each year, or that as many as 4 million women and girls are bought and sold worldwide every year, or that 3,000 children are forced into commercial sexual exploitation at any given time just in San Francisco... my heart was stirred.

Then I became more closely acquainted with Women at Risk, International (WAR) - It started as a jewelry party I helped to put together for our church - the easiest, most "fun" way I think there is to make a real difference in the lives of trafficking victims!  As I sat in my seat and listened to stories of individual women, as I heard that half of the women who come to the safehouses that WAR partners with eventually accept Christ as their Savior, as I discovered what a rampant problem trafficking is within our own borders, I knew I wanted to do everything within my power to help them!  

I contacted WAR and told them that I loved their mission of helping wrap circles of love and protection around the most vulnerable women and children in the world.  I told them that my largest sphere of influence, with the potential of reaching hundreds (and by extension, thousands) of women around the world, was online through my blog and twitter- and began to discuss with them how we could use it as a vehicle to inform others.  The Redeemed series was born.

It seems to me that often our "missions" that God gives us are quiet, small opportunities He places into our lives to share the love and Truth of Jesus Christ.  When we obey and take the first step, there is often a second step to take.  If we continue to follow His call, He often will grow and expand what we are able to do in His name - for His vision is bigger than ours.

Wondering what your "mission" is?  Look around you. What breaks your heart?  What gifts, talents, wealth, influence has God entrusted to you?  How can you use it to touch others in His name?

You never know where He might take you.  You just might turn into something you never set out to be!

To learn more about human trafficking and what you can do, check out the posts in the Redeemed series.  As you consider what your mission in this world might be, I highly recommend the book Zealous Love.

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