As a Christian, what I do does not determine my worth.  My actions do not validate me, Shannon Byous writes.  My "ministry" does not determine God's pleasure in me. Why?  Because my worth is in the fact that I am, not in the fact that I do.  That I have been created in God's image, and His desire is that I know Him and love Him with all of my heart, mind, soul and strength.

Old stuff to our ears, but nonetheless, God still means it literally.

 

When Jesus spoke to me about coming to England, one of the things He specifically spoke about was Hebrews 11:8-9.  So I picked up the Bible, read it, and walked forward into England with it in my mind:  "It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him.  He left his own country without knowing where he was going.	...I came because Jesus said "Go to England now" and then I would say that I was praying for some specific direction now that I was here....

By faith he lived as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him."  It has been 44 days since I said goodbye to my life in the USA and in those 44 days I have been asked many times, "What are you doing now that you're here, Shannon?" and "What ministry are you involved in?"  During the first couple of weeks my reaction was that I came because Jesus said "Go to England now" and then I would say that I was praying for some specific direction now that I was here. 

I thought Jesus would answer me with specifics a lot more quickly than He has.  But when I have been praying alone or having others pray for me, He has been saying, "Trust me...for your money, for a bed to sleep in and for a roof over your head, for your visa, for vision and for direction.  I told you I would take care of you.  So, enjoy the time you're in now and trust me."	Jesus has begun to melt my heart with the fact that He is my justification, He is my reason for being here.  Not a ministry, not a project, just Jesus.

Here is what Jesus is showing me:  When I am asked what I am doing or what type of ministry I am in, I have no answer.

 

I have no justification for being here, for asking for financial support, for being called a missionary, no proof to lay before anyone that I am not crazy or that I was right in coming except that God said to come and I came. 

 

He has begun to melt my heart with the fact that He is my justification, He is my reason for being here.  Not a ministry, not a project, just Jesus. 

I've never been here before...where my identity isn't in my job or loving the lost or building community with other Christians or my works or involvement in "good" things.

 

And so I don't really no what else to tell anyone about being here except that He spoke and He gave me the faith to follow His sweet voice.  I am sure that I will see specifics unfold, but until I do, I'm in this place where I have to receive from Jesus and through people who love me and are sharing their lives and their homes and their money with me.

It is a very humbling place, but I have a feeling I will be filled and healed in this place in ways that I couldn't in my own country and life.

You aren't all going to be called to come to England, but God is asking you to hear what He's saying and let go of it all...every security...and in that place you will be made more alive in Jesus and you will not live in such fear of losing everything that you have.	...I'm finding my worth in Jesus, not in what I do, or in the ministries I am involved in....

Just seek Him and listen to how He's asking you to follow Him into it.  I've never needed Him like this before.  I can't see it yet, but it is going to be worth what it's costing...not just worth it for me, but for the whole big picture of Jesus being seen by people who need His love, for the Church, for cities and even for every nation.

I'm finding my worth in Jesus, not in what I do, or in the ministries I am involved in.  It's a challenge to us all, to begin seeing with different eyes.  Dont' fear or worry about how to see in this way because God is the one who is giving us the eyes to see beyond what we're used to seeing. 

 

This article was written by Shannon Byous, originally from California, USA. As of this year, Shannon is once again a missionary in the UK. Right now, she's just astounded by God because His plans for her life are unfolding right in front of her eyes. She writes, is a photographer, and loves her friends and family very much. Her website is www.10lampsoffire.net   Read some of Shannon's past articles: God's breathing into us Hope Activate! God (and Bruce) Almighty Signs and Wonders   Find out more about incredible mission opportunities in Europe this year on the 24-7 Mission Teams website and check out our festival4mission Transmission