support so far

By: Jessie Coleman | |

As many of you know, right now I’m raising support to serve in Chile for 11 months with Mission to the World (MTW), the worldwide missions agency of the Presbyterian Church of America. I’m about 2 months into the process, 25% of the way to my support goal, and excited to see how God provides the rest.

One thing’s for sure—I’m not the same person I was when I started support raising in August. For me raising support has been a bit like climbing a mountain. This image comes to mind for obvious reasons: little five-foot-four me, gigantic seemingly insurmountable goal of raising support.

Also, I feel a little bit like Jonathon when he and his armor-bearer took on twenty Philistine men waiting for them at the top of a cliff (1 Samuel 14:6-14). Jonathan knew that God had given them into his hands, all he had to do was get there...by scaling that cliff.

So here I climb. Sure of God’s leading in my life, and even more sure that I can’t get there without Him. Some days the hand holds are easy, and I move steadily closer to my goal- to bring Him glory. I’m energized by the sheer beauty of my view—of Christ risen, of saving grace, of disciples in all nations, of a love that drives out fear. Then, other days, I realize how high up I am, how much control God really asks us to give, and I get scared. Stuck. My arms shake. Trembling, I fall.

Lucky for me (and to stretch this metaphor somewhat absurdly) Jesus is my belayer. Falling only brings me closer to him. Closer to Truth. Closer to living the kind of life that points toward God instead of myself.

Don’t get me wrong, I still kick and scream on the way down. Hence, this group. I need prayer. In my daily life, I’m all-too-aware of the absolute necessity of spending time in prayer and reflection of God’s word. Having others praying for me as well is like a much-needed power bar. It gives me strength. And God listens. He answers. Mountains move (Matthew 17:20).

Join my Facebook group to partner with me in prayer, not only for these next few months of support raising, but also for Chileans in Viña del Mar. That God would be drawing them near, that doors would be opened for the gospel, and that by His grace I could be an instrument to share His love with Chileans.

I am so grateful for your prayers and would love to return the favor. This may be my mountain, but I’m sure you have your own. Won’t there always be a mountain? Isn’t that growth? Are you climbing, or clinging on for dear life? Scared to start? I’ve been all of these. Let me know how I can pray for you.

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, or love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 1:7)