Take It Easy, But Take It!
Larissa is passionate about empowering vulnerable & oppressed women around Africa. She leads a movement of women that is sharing the love of Jesus to the most vulnerable of society through physical, spiritual & economic empowerment. Larissa and her husband currently reside in North Africa, and are committed to living their lives far beyond themselves and challenging others to do the same. Today she shares with us the best piece of advice she has ever received.
TAKE IT EASY, BUT TAKE IT!
“Take it easy, but take it!” The familiar words I’ve heard my dad say since I’ve been a young girl. He didn’t just say them at any time, but whenever I was going off to do something challenging or to complete a difficult task. Sometimes it was before walking on stage to give a presentation or stepping into the gym about to start the final match in a volleyball competition.
More recently they have become some of dad’s parting words as I walk through the security gates of our local Canadian airport before boarding a plane back to Africa where I serve in helping to reach marginalized & least reached women.
I first left home about 12 years ago, and saying goodbye to my family & home country has never become easier. Each time I go back to visit I think to myself that it would be easier to just stay home in that familiar environment I grew up in. Continually adapting to new cultures, languages & ways of life can become daunting.
Yet I am always reminded that the time we have here on earth is so short. Our days are numbered, each one a gift and an opportunity to make an impact in the lives of others. God created each of us for a purpose, and I cannot deny the current season He has called me to journey through together with Him.
When I am tempted to give into the overwhelm or give up because the physical situation in front of me is genuinely hard, I am ignited by my dad’s simple advice.
Take it easy…rest in God, remember that God chose you & appointed you to bear fruit, He is your source, joyfully surrender everything back to Him…
…but take it! Be diligent, stand firm, be strong & courageous, don’t be timid, persevere in reaching the least reached & take action while it is still possible.
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Apostle Paul
