“Are you ready to go?”
This was the question that my parents asked me all the time, which led to my first word as a baby being “Go”.
Throughout my life, “Go” has been a continuous theme. From traveling to several states and countries, to road trips with friends and quick dashes to the store, it seems that I am constantly on the go. And now, I am going once more as I pursue the calling of being a missionary in Northern Ireland.
I have always been ready to go. But as I reflected on this willingness, I realized that my “go” always came with a caveat. If I had everything planned out and had all the answers to when, how, and where, then I was ready to go. It always boiled down to if I was the one in control. My desire for control was rooted in fear of the unknown and a lack of trusting my good Father.
This desire was deeply challenged when God called me to move to Northern Ireland. In 2023, I had the privilege of spending 11 days in Northern Ireland on a study trip. During my time there, I heard God tell me that I would be back. That was it. No further information or explanation. He didn’t share the “why”, “how” or “when”. He just told me that I would go. In that moment, I had to make a choice to trust God or to lean on my own understanding.
As I reflect on the story of my calling, I am reminded of Abraham and his call to faith in Genesis 12. The Lord called Abraham to leave his home and family and go to a land that the Lord would show him. God promised Abraham that He would make him into a great nation, bless him, and be with Him. But God did not give Abraham any further instructions. He just asked him to trust. God invited Abraham to walk in faith and believe that He would provide.
What’s remarkable about Abraham is that he obeyed God’s call. Genesis 12:4 shares that after God called, Abraham went as the Lord had told him. Abraham trusted God and believed that He would fulfill His promises.
Just like with Abraham, God did not ask me to have it all planned out, to know every detail months in advance. He was simply asking me to trust His goodness and faithfulness. I decided to trust God, believing that if He called me, then He would guide me and provide a way for it to happen. And He did! Two years after the call, I am now preparing to move full-time to Northern Ireland.
I’ve learned from putting my trust in God that His character is true. The promise of His presence is true. He has promised that He will never leave me or forsake me. He is kind and can be trusted. And the same is true for all of us who put our faith in Him. The Father is good. He has a plan for my life and yours, one that is better than we could ever imagine. One that is filled with joy in Him. So the next time God asks, “Are you ready to go?” I pray that we all lean into His love, trusting that He is faithful to provide.
Olivia Turner
Olivia is part of our Christ’s Church family and serves as a host in Early Childhood. She graduated from Ozark Christian College in December and is preparing to move to Belfast, Northern Ireland, to begin full-time mission work. She’ll be working with a church called The Gathering, focusing on community outreach and pastoral care for women and children. Olivia enjoys making coffee, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
