A Sea Of Red

So im a government major who has never even considered missions for me, but i recently went through a major change in heart and was never one for visions but God gave me a very direct vision that would greatly change my life. It was a very long vision that if you want to know PM me and ill send it to you, i have shared it with many of my friends, RA's, SLD's and some mentors and my devotions have really just made me feel confirmation that it is of God, but it requires such a huge leap of faith i need guidance to know that this isnt one of those things where God is testing if i truly will follow him or if hes just getting me passionate about it for a later time. Basically though, i felt a very strong call to move home to chicago for a semester, do DLP, learn french, earn support and money and then sometime this summer move by myself to either grenoble or strasburg france for an undetermined amount of time, but not any sort of short term thing. Its a huge change in life as im a sophomore almost junior and Im only 20 but would be 21 by then living in a foreign country by myself. Ive talked to my parents about it and they seem like theyd be for me moving to france just not yet, as i dont think any parent wants their 20 year old son to just drop out of school and move across the world. Sorry this was so hectic, i really could just use prayer for God to show me more of his direction and will for my life in very clear signs, but is that selfish of me to pray?

I don't know you but I'll share what limited counsel I would give to you just as I'd give to several students our church has at Liberty right now.

1. I'm not certain its a selfish prayer to ask for wisdom and guidance. God wants you to rely on him for that. If you were begging God to be all about yourself, yeah. But asking God for wisdom and direction isn't selfish at all.

2. God tends to allow us to see what he wants from us long before he brings it to pass. Yes at times the need or calling is immediate but often the calling of God happens a while before we fulfill it because God wants to prepare us. Most great leaders of the bible got their training doing something that wasn't fun to them. Herding sheep or eating locusts aren't prime jobs for revolutionaries. Another thought would be Joseph and his visions compared to when they were realized. I'm certainly not advising against what God has birthed in your heart... I'm just offering some other consideration.

3. God's will for our lives isn't (from anything I can tell) down to the last "i" being dotted and "T" crossed. Typically he gives us a vision and then develops us to acheive the vision. That process from the time the vision is birthed to the time it's fulfilled is some of the most powerful and vital times in our lives. When we jump directly from seeing the vision to acting without taking some time to spend with God... many times we end up delayed b/c God has to continue to teach us some things.

4. Regarding clear signs- From what I can see in scripture as well as my life in ministry answering God's call so far... God's signs are typically all around us... we just miss them looking for an Earthquake and a loud voice. Most encounters and signs aren't of the Burning bush variety. That's why that particular case is so powerful. We are taught to seek out the counsel of others (like you're doing here and elsewhere). I want to encourage you to listen and honestly consider their repsonses. The people closest to you and those who are near you today will have some great insight.

Remember, no matter how fast or slow or how difficult or easy this may be... you are attempting to answer God's call, not mans. There will be times when everyone says it's crazy... just don't let that be on every move along the way. There is wisdom in counsel. Advisors are great. Just take the time to continue to pray and ask God for people to speak into your life. Some people will be pumped and others will challenge you... Just find Godly people who also know you and your past. Listen to them, if they are passionately following Jesus they will be careful to give you the best wisdom possible.