Longing

Some friends and I were talking the other night about our longings and our desires. We are each in a different place in life and yet we all ultimately long for the same thing, to serve the Lord in long-term missions for the rest of our lives. However, the Lord has not opened the door for any of us to go overseas long-term. There are days when we are content and waiting patiently on the Lord and then there are days when we are restless and asking why we are still here. I believe that my time in the US is just as important as my time overseas will ever be, my ministry doesn't start when I enter a new country, it began the day I gave my life to Christ. Anyway, the reason I'm posting is because as I was reading Streams in the Desert I came across this poem that pretty much sums up where my friends and I are. If you're in the same place, albeit it may be the same place with a different context, this may be of some comfort (or not).

I longed to walk along an easy road,
And leave behind the dull routine of home,
Thinking in other fields to serve my God;
But Jesus said, "My time has not yet come."

I longed to sow the seed in other soil,
To be unshackled in the work, and free,
To join with other laborers in their toil;
But Jesus said, "It's not My choice for thee."

I longed to leave the desert, and be led
To work where souls were sunk in sin and shame,
That I might win them; but the Master said,
"I have not called you, publish here My name."

I longed to fight the battles of my King,
Lift high His standards in the thickest strife;
But my great Captain had me wait and sing
Songs of His conquests in my quiet life.

I longed to leave the hard and difficult sphere,
Where all alone I seemed to stand and wait,
To feel I had some human helper near,
But Jesus had me guard one lonely gate.

I longed to leave the common daily toil,
Where no one seemed to understand or care;
But Jesus said, "I choose for you this soil,
That you might raise for Me some blossoms rare."

And now I have no longing but to do
At home, or far away, His blessed will,
To work amid the many or the few;
Thus, "choosing not to choose," my heart is still.