My Shepherd

There’s so much to learn as an MK. Anything from a new language to new cultural habits, adapting carries a lot of change; and a lot of change demands an open mind. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve found that helped me during my time on the mission field is learning how to recognize the voice of God. Through every season of insecurity, loneliness, and exclusion I went through, the Lord was speaking life and truth over me. 

But, how was I to know what He was saying? I had to learn the voice of God. 

I had to commit myself to spend time with Jesus, praying and conversing with Him, and meditating on His Word. I found that the more I did this, the more clear the words He spoke over me became. Along with that clarity came a peace that surpasses every understanding (Philippians 4:7). My struggles as an MK didn’t go away. What changed was who I depended on. I had to shift from depending on my own understanding to depending on Scripture. As I did this, I became aware of what areas of my life I was misplacing trust in the world for things to fill me, and started turning to the good arms of my Savior. I started to see how I needed the Lord in my life like I need that cup of coffee every morning to get me going!

I could go on and on about all that the Lord has spoken to me, but to save some face, I’d like to encourage you from Psalms 23, specifically verses 1 & 2. It says, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.” The Lord has taught me through these couple of verses about all this life has to offer. Whether I’m caught up thinking about my career, where I’ll live, or simply about my near future, He graciously leads me back to the fact that I shall not want. There’s nothing in this world that I could want, depend on, or yearn for that is meant to fulfill, satisfy, or be trusted in like Jesus. As it says in Psalms 34:10 that “those who seek the Lord lack no good thing”, Jesus is enough. I am to recognize that God’s got me and that He is all I could need. Desiring other things isn’t bad, it’s how the Lord created us; but, He also created us to desire Him and all He is. He is my Shepherd, my Protector, and my Provider. He leads me to rest in green pastures where He restores me. All I need to do is to rest in His Presence.

So, as you talk to Jesus throughout your day, I encourage you to remember that He is your Shepherd. He doesn’t want harm for you or the challenges you face as an MK to discourage you. He wants to lead you to places of peace and restoration. He wants to be your Shepherd!

Katie Hadinger is a TCK from Mexico. She works as a nurse in Springfield, Missouri where she’s nearing the end of nursing school. In her spare time she loves to travel, play games, hike and be by the water. Katie’s top food groups are coffee, chocolate, and sushi.