You Have Called Me Higher

As I tell people about my upcoming travels to the Bahamas I usually get the same responses. "Wow! The Bahamas! That's going to be an incredible time!"..."What a beautiful place!"..."You're so lucky!"  

The truth is, I've been really scared to go. Don't get me wrong, I don't disagree with these statements. I know it will be an incredible time and the place is beautiful, but I am terrified of just how uncomfortable I will be spending another summer in missions.

Working in 90 degree heat and humidity 8 hours a day, then returning to site to help cook and feed the mouths of several students, lead nightly worship, have staff and leader meetings, while trying to have fun for 9 weeks straight... It's all so exhausting. It's as if I have my heels dug deep into the ground as God pulls me there. My selfish ambition wants me to be comfortable. God wants to challenge me. But my heart knows just how wrong I am when it comes to my own desires and just how much better it is when I follow God's desires. 

I sat down at the piano and began to go through old worship songs that I love. I came across "Called Me Higher" by All Sons and Daughters. That was it. The Lord spoke so loudly to my heart, it was a slap in the face. "I could be safe...I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home, never let these walls down. But You have called me higher. You have called me deeper. And I'll go where You will lead me Lord."  

I realized that I could sit in comfort, but that's not God's plan. He's trying to grow me and he's not going to do it in the comfort of A/C and sleep-filled nights. He's going to do it in sweaty days, long and sleepless nights, and insecurity. Discomfort. 

I pray that this would speak to everyone reading this. Maybe it's not a mission trip. Maybe it's something small in your everyday life that you've been avoiding because of discomfort. Listen to this song. Read the lyrics. Soak in the fact that God has called us higher. He wants to change us from the inside out. He wants to challenge us. It won't be easy, but His will is always good. I am working hard at trusting God with my life every single day, but it's not easy. Trust looks different in everyone's life. How does it look in yours today? 

Called Me Higher

By All Sons and Daughters

I could just sit
I could just sit and wait for all Your goodness
Hope to feel Your presence
And I could just stay
I could just stay right where I am and hope to feel You
Hope to feel something again

And I could hold on
I could hold on to who I am and never let You
Change me from the inside
And I could be safe
I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home
Never let these walls down

But You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I'll go where You will lead me Lord
You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I'll go where You lead me Lord
Where You lead me
Where You lead me Lord

And I could hold on
I could hold on to who I am and never let You
Change me from the inside
And I could be safe
I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home
Never let these walls down

But You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I'll go where You will lead me Lord
You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I'll go where You lead me Lord
Where You lead me

And I will be Yours, oh
I will be Yours for all my life

And I will be Yours, oh
I will be Yours for all my life

And I will be Yours, oh
I will be Yours for all my life
So let Your mercy

And I will be Yours, oh
I will be Yours for all my life
So let Your mercy light the path before me

Cause You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I'll go where You will lead me Lord
[x4]

Where You lead me
Where You lead me Lord