There is so much grace.

As Esten and I sat on our boarded plane out of Indy on August 28th, I looked over at him and whispered, “This is so hard.”

In the days leading up to our trip, there were many difficult good-byes. Some of the best meals, conversations, and moments with loved ones came in the time before our departure. Now we sat here with full hearts with the recent memories of embracing cherished loved ones for the last time in a long time.

People shuffled on board. Many were heading on typical work trips, used to the calming bustle of air travel. Instead, Esten and I sat there thinking of what lay behind and the weight of the unknown that lay ahead.

Just then, a loud thud cut through the sap. The boarding door was now closed.

I thought of Matthew 14 as I sat on this tortuous flight and through the days that followed. Rather than staying present, all it seemed like I could focus on was how far away I was from home and the size of the waves that crashed around me.

In Matthew 14, the disciples too find themselves far from land, stranded at sea, and in the midst of a heavy storm. Large waves crashed around them. Strong winds blew. And they were afraid.

Just then they saw a ghostly figure walking on the surface of the water. Their fear deepened and their heart-rate quickened. Surely this was the end.

“Do not be afraid,” a voice calls out. “Take courage. I am here!”

In the chaotic days that followed our flight to Budapest, Hungary, there was nothing much to do but cling to these words. In what felt like a flash of lightning, we had been implanted into the heart of Europe. We were far from the land we knew while the waves of cultural change, grief, failure, and fear began to crash along the boat of our own security and comfort.

Yet, a faithful and gentle voice continually called out, “Do not be afraid. Take courage. I am here.”

I have been constantly reminded over the past couple of weeks that there is so much grace. When clinging to the truth that there is a God walking alongside of me, I am encouraged to release the control of my destiny, find freedom in my mistakes, and be grateful for the challenging moments along the way.

Once in Antwerp, we visited Antwerp Christian Fellowship (ACF) who started a sermon series on the Book of James the same weekend. In the opening of the book, James encourages his people who had spread across the whole earth, forsaking all that was familiar for the sake of participating the joyful commission of making disciples of all nations.

These are words that I cling to now:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing,” (James 1:1-4).

I am certain that we are going to experience beauty and life-change like never seen before this year. God is after something in our hearts. I recognize that there are many ways that I will be challenged to grow in trust, patience, and endurance in the many months ahead.

What a joy to be walking alongside the God, who stills the wind and waves, has the world as his footstool, and invites us to participate in such a wonderful mission!

Would you pray for me as I embark on this journey of a life time, on the precipice of a great movement in Europe and in my heart, and call out like ballsy Peter in Matthew 14 saying, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water” (v. 28).

Pray for the faith to walk with trusting eyes on my Savior. And, pray that I may experience the depths of his grace in the midst of my failures here.

There was a moment in the Boston airport where I was clinging to this truth. I felt like a failure only a couple hours into our journey. To remind my heart of what is true, I kept muttering the words, “I am loved, and there is so much grace.” Just then, Esten came from around the corner with two Chick-fil-A milkshakes in his hand. “They made an extra on accident. Would you like one?” This moment struck me to the core. A blessing, yes, but more than that I had just told Esten that I would love to try a cookies and cream shake from Chick-fil-A. Sure enough, God dropped one in my hand, reminding me of the abundance of grace that there is when walking with him. I didn’t need to pay a dime. I just needed to keep walking with my eyes on him.

Even if the pain of the present becomes too unbearable on this journey throughout Europe—and like Peter I begin to sink—I can be confident that also like with Peter, Jesus' hand will be there to grab me and pull me back up into the boat with one arm and a cookies and cream milkshake in the other.

I am confident, that regardless of what comes as this plane barrels toward the future, there is so much grace and I am safe in His arms.

My hope is that you may experience this truth deeply today as well.

With a full heart,

Grant