Why Austria?

A lot of people ask me how I decided to go to Austria, to which I reply that the Lord chose Austria for me and that I had nothing to do with it.

In February 2010, a friend suggested I try to go to Turkey with her to fulfill our internship requirements. I thought that it was a marvelous idea, and without putting too much prayer into it, I applied for the position and was shortly accepted.

Not too far along into the process, I began sensing that this wasn't what the Lord wanted for me. But how could I turn it down? It was an amazing opportunity and everything was working out ... so far. I was confused. I think I genuinely wanted to serve the Lord using my journalism skills, but I had a narrow idea of how to do it. Turkey seemed the logical answer.

But God's way is best and it is He who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). I think I was defining my own terms by which I would serve Him but He graciously took my desires to use for His will and pleasure.

Well, about the time when I was seriously seeking an alternative to Turkey the Lord introduced me to Trans World Radio (TWR). I was on Facebook and received one of their stories in my mini-feed. My aunt had invited me to become a fan of their page a few months earlier (one of many sovereign acts of God in my journey) and I loved reading the stories of how the Lord used the ministry to bring people around the world to Himself. Of course I never even thought of doing an internship with TWR. I kind of had this "they're way out of my spiritual league" opinion about them.

To make a long story short (kind of), the Lord compelled me to apply for an internship with the organization and according to His gracious will for me, I was accepted as a intern to work in Vienna, Austria for eight weeks this summer.

After this, how can I ever doubt that God's will is best for me? There is no other way outside of the Lord's. I can't be happy unless I know that I'm right in the middle of His will for me and that He is getting glory from my obedience and love for Him. All of the glory must go to God.

"You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Ps. 16:11).