God's Flight Plan
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” He said, “Go . . . ” (Isa. 6:8–9).
Flight plans are documents filed by pilots with the FAA. They include basic information such as departure and arrival points, estimated time en route, alternate airports in case of bad weather, etc. Fifteen years ago, my wife and I sensed a call to international missions. What we didn’t have was a “flight plan.” What we did have was a desire to be faithful to God in whatever place or way He led. I must say, it was hard not to envy the other missionaries who knew: “We’re going to Japan” or “We’re called to Mexico.” All we could say was, “We’re just called.”
It turns out God’s “flight plan” for us was and is Western Australia. We have now served here for 11 years. If we had insight into His plan back in 1998, I don’t know if we would have pursued it with the same passion and zeal as we did when it was a huge unknown.
If you were to dig a hole straight down in the town where I grew up, you would end up in the ocean west of where we live now. Talk about “the end of the earth”! But also “talk about” God’s goodness, mercy and omniscience in His most excellent placement of us. He has brought us to an amazingly challenging and blessed place of ministry! I can’t imagine a better spot for my family’s unique mix of personality, ethnicity, gifting and faith. God definitely knows what He is doing!
Whatever, whenever, wherever, however . . . God knows. Isaiah 55:9 says: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” We must continually trust the One who not only knows us but loves us. He is good! And His “flight plans,” they are always perfect.
This was originally published in The Journey devotional in 2013. Chuck Linkston now serves with MTW in Tasmania.
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SEE MOREPray for missionaries on the field who are suffering hardship as they sow in tears. Pray that they would find hope and remember the promise of joyful reaping.
Pray for the lost in Sydney, Australia, a city filled with people from many nations. Pray for Koreans, Indian, Nepalese, Lebanese, Vietnamese, and others who live in Sydney and don't know Jesus.
Give thanks for Harbour City Church in Sydney, Australia, and pray that God would continue to use it to reach people who come to Sydney from all over Australasia.
Pray for the people of Sydney, Australia, a city which has been described as "post-post Christian pagan." Pray that God would open eyes to the truth of the gospel.
Pray for MTW's ministries in Sydney, including Harbour City Church, City Sanctum, and Student Outreach to the World, as well as the Pacific Islands Island to Island Partnership.
Pray for City Sanctum, a ministry to businessmen and women in Sydney, Australia that helps believers live out their faith in the workplace, and welcomes non-believers exploring their faith.
Pray for our single missionaries serving internationally in the midst of their unique struggles.
Pray for Tim Mills (Thailand), Abi Lowther & Roger Lowther (Japan), Joe Congdon (Japan), and Shannon Hinkle (Australia) as they all use their artistic gifts to support the Church in gospel outreach, mercy ministry, and community building.
Pray for team cohesion in Perth, Australia, as the team is newly brought together and doing varied and different ministries.
Give thanks for Harbor City Church in Sydney, Australia, which is thriving with four campuses after years of struggles getting established.
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