You might be wondering why I feel compelled to travel to the other side of the world. Does my passion for traveling alone drive me to just go? Nine times out of ten, when I tell people about my upcoming trip to Australia, I hear this response:

“Oh, that’s great! Is it a mission trip?”

Now this is an innocent question and so I usually answer no to avoid any confusion. But whenever this question is posed to me, there is always a check in my heart. What is a mission trip? The average churchgoer’s definition is a trip during which a team or individual travels away from home to focus solely on spreading the Word of God and ministering to people in need. Oftentimes, we add a medical or construction aspect to the trip, and there you have it.

Missions.

Sounds about right, don’t you think? So why does it make me feel a little uncomfortable when individuals categorize this trip Down Under as a pleasure-based trip, or “just for fun”? Right before I left for a trip to Italy, I was discussing with my father how I felt about the adventure ahead of me. My heart felt burdened because I was spending thousands of dollars to travel somewhere for me, when I could have been spending the money on a mission trip. My father spoke words of wisdom into my life that I will never forget. He said, “Susannah, every trip you go on is a mission trip. Everywhere you go, every day, you have the same responsibility to spread the Word of God and share His love with the people around you.”

His words echo in my heart each time someone asks that one little question. Looking to the dictionary, we see the definition of mission is this: “the business with which an individual or group has been charged.” I have been given a charge by God to share His light with the world around me. Whether I am at work every day or spending a week in Guatemala, there is a reason He has me there. So what is my mission in Australia?

1) Jesus. My charge is to share God’s love with every individual I meet, even if I never give my testimony or have the opportunity to tell someone about Jesus. Actions speak louder than words often anyways.

2) Write. Through my blog, I hope to share my experience Down Under with friends, families, strangers…anyone! And although actions might speak louder, words are still very powerful!

3) Travel. I have been called to read more pages of the incredible book God has written. I don’t plan on stopping until I have been every place God wants me to go.

Just a thought…what is the business that God has charged you with?                               What is your mission?