I’ve been told that it is in the seeking, not the finding, that God works.

For more than five years, I’ve sought out different opportunities to grow closer to God. So when I was approached about a mission trip to Costa Rica, I jumped at the chance.

I went with zero expectations but was willing to see what would happen if I gave God one week of unfiltered access to my heart. Turns out God used that willingness to teach me a profound lesson.

I have to admit, at first I was very uncomfortable. I struggled with the lack of connectivity to the outside world and my head was still with some of the circumstances I’d left at home.

A few days in to the trip, I decided to take a moment to myself. I went to a secluded part of the property at the Children’s Home. There was a nice breeze and I’m not sure how else to describe it, but I was overcome with a sense of humility. I felt vividly aware of how large the world is; how beautiful God’s creation is and how small I was in comparison. At the same time, I felt God’s grace in my heart and knew I was significant to him, by being of service to others and sharing with others.

I realized in that moment in Costa Rica that no matter what God was calling me to do, I was capable. I began to take stock of the fellowship around me. God has put so many people in my life to support me on my journey to grow closer to Him.

I went to Costa Rica hoping to grow closer to God and I was certainly given that grace again. I left with an understanding that the only thing that matters is that I continue to seek him, one day at a time, in as many ways as I can. It’s my desire that my life will be a demonstration of my faith in Jesus Christ and that I will continue to share my experience with others so that they might receive a similar gift of a relationship with him.