My Birthday Wish

My birthday is coming up next month and even though birthdays are fun, I have never been one to go all out celebrating my birthday.  Birthdays are just another day that we should be grateful for the breath that God gives us and use it as an opportunity to glorify His name all the more.  This year, my birthday also just so happens to be on the same day as International Justice Mission's Stand for Freedom day.  April 9 is a day to raise awareness and money to support the 27 million around the world who are trapped in slavery.  So with this birthday, my only wish is that you would partner with me and IJM to end modern day slavery. My goal is $1,000 by April 10, the day after my 24th birthday!  This can be easily done with only 42 people donating $24!

I am standing for the freedom of the children I met in Cambodia who are sold on the street every day for sex.  They are controlled by fear and violence.  But the good news is that the Lord hears the cries of the afflicted and oppressed and He has sent people to help them.  He gives us the opportunity to stand up for their freedom and be a voice to the voiceless.  Will you stand?  You can help make my birthday wish come true here!

A little about IJM:

IJM IS MAKING FREEDOM POSSIBLE

100% of all donations to this campaign will support the work of International Justice Mission, a human rights agency that is bringing rescue and freedom to victims of slavery, sex trafficking and other forms of violence.

IJM investigators, lawyers and aftercare staff are on the frontlines of the fight for justice in Latin America, Africa and Asia. In 2011 alone, IJM partnered with local authorities to rescue more than 1,600 children, women and men from sex trafficking, forced labor slavery and other violent oppression, and helped put more than 100 slave-owners, traffickers and rapists behind bars.

Check out this video to find out more about the Stand For Freedom campaign.

Powerless

Numbers 22:18 (NLT)
"But Balaam responded to Balak’s messengers, “Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God."

My sister posted a blog this week about our plans versus God's plans (if you haven't read it, check it out!) and this verse spoke to me in a similar way this morning.  

I am in a season of upcoming change.  My two year commitment with Teach for America ends in May and I will be leaving Mississippi.  At this point, I am waiting to hear about a summer job with Teach for America in Atlanta and waiting to hear about my acceptance to go on the World Race next January.  And it is during this time of waiting that the Lord has given me His peace.  He has given me peace and understanding that no matter what I do, I am powerless against His will.  Who am I to try to control or change or plan against the Creator of the Universe and the One who has known every breath and step I would take before I was even born?  We can never know for sure what exactly lies ahead of us but we can be obedient to His calling and then rest in the truth that we are powerless against Him.  

It has not been easy for me to rest in this and I have been challenged with worry and anxiousness in the past.  Even through this step of applying for the World Race, I have experienced anxiousness.  I had a dream just a week or so ago that I did not get accepted to go on the World Race.  I woke up in a panic, wondering what I was supposed to do.  But then I opened the Word and was reading in the Old Testament when time and time again, the Israelites failed to trust in the Lord's promises and were punished.  

Numbers 11:23 (NIV)
"The Lord answered Moses, 'Is the Lord's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.'" 

He promises to never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6) and that His plans are good (Jeremiah 29:11).  And it is in these promises that He gives peace and rest.  And out of peace and rest comes confidence in Him to face whatever opportunities or obstacles lie ahead.  To Him be the glory!

John 16:33 (NLT)

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”