Okay, despite the title of this article, I really do love getting closer to God.

The more I hear his voice, learn about his character…the more I realize how much he loves me, and how much I’ll never be able to understand that love fully. He’s funny, he’s kind, and he’s a really good father.

However, there’s a side effect of getting closer to God…want to know what that is?

He starts asking you to do things. Like, important things.

Back in March

If you knew me at all in my Nevada days, you’d know that I was dead set on never, and I mean never, going on a mission trip. Not because I think they’re bad, mind you. I just didn’t feel particularly called to it. Besides, I hated travel, had a ton of food allergies, and constant chronic pain. Even if I had gone on a mission trip, I would have done more harm than good; I was sure of it.

But then God healed a lot of those food allergies…I got used to flying across the country every few months (moving to Ohio for a writing school will have that effect on you). My chronic pain went from a constant 8 to some days, I’m not even in pain! (Isn’t God cool like that?)

I also started pursuing God like I never have before. When you’re around like-minded Jesus believers who chase after him with everything they have, you can’t help but follow along. The people in my church are just like that. Super dedicated to Jesus. Their passion gave me more passion—and with that, I started learning so much about God. Things I’d never even considered before. Things like, “Have I ever actually seen someone go from an unbeliever to a believer?” and “Have I ever told someone about the Gospel in a meaningful way?“

I was challenged to change the way I think about the world.

(If you’ve got some stinking thinking, check out this free 21-day series on biblical affirmations!)

I started asking God to grow me in evangelism, to help me spread the truth of Jesus. I wanted (and still want) to do as much as I can with God while I’m here. It’s been a great season of growing and learning.

Until about Nine Months ago, when my pastor announced he was taking a Mission Trip to our sister church in the Philippines. He talked about how our sister church specifically requested young adults to help pour into the youth. I sunk down in my chair, and whispered to God, “You know, when I asked you to help me spread the truth, I meant like…talking to the person behind me in the grocery aisle.”

I wasn’t going to go. I’d sort of made up my mind. But that nagging feeling kept coming. As the time started ticking down toward the trip, toward the day when I had to confirm, one way or the other, if I was going…that feeling stayed present. I thought about the beauty of Obedience…so I did what any logical person would do.

I went to my Mentor for him to talk some sense into me. Because, ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m a writer—not a missionary. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t being distracted from what God “really” wanted me to do (wink wink I was talking myself out of it wink wink). Regardless of whether you’re trying to talk yourself out of (or into) something, seeking guidance from a mentor is a great way to cut straight to the truth. We talked about it a lot, and the more we did, the more I warmed up to the idea, until finally, one night, I lay in bed.

“Hey God,” I whispered. I folded my hands over my stomach and stared up at my ceiling, the light from the streetlamps pouring through the cracks in my blinds. I blinked slowly, stifled a yawn. “I’ll go, if that’s really what you want me to do…Could you help assure me? I’ll need help financially with this, too…but if you want me to go, we’ll figure it out. I’ll go.”

The next day, I woke up to a message for a new part-time job opportunity that, literally, would pay for the entire trip.

I don’t think it gets any clearer than that.

(I also had some wonderful family and friends who donated to help me go!)

So, I’m Going…

I’ll be gone for two full weeks, and it’s a busy trip. Street ministry, helping run a giant conference, and who knows what else the Holy Spirit has in store! I’ll take lots of pictures, and I’ll definitely send out a Newsletter once I’m back in the States (so sign up to get the inside scoop people: https://alliprince.com/subscribe/)

Getting closer to God, learning more about his character—it’s great…and you know what? Being asked to do scary things, things I never wanted to do, and getting to see how 1. God is still in control and 2. Loves to grow me and 3. Show me how he provides…that’s pretty cool to. 🙂

What does pursuing God look like to you right now? Tell me about it below!