Giving Thanks for the Journey: Embracing God’s Transforming Path

As we enter this season of thanksgiving, it’s a good time to reflect on the journeys that have brought us to where we are today. Journeys—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—are rarely easy. They challenge us, stretch us, and shape us into who we are meant to be. For Christian global workers, the journey often begins with a calling, full of anticipation and purpose, but as time passes, it can lead to feelings of exhaustion, questioning, or even resistance. Yet, it is precisely in these moments of struggle and surrender that God does His most transformative work in us. 

The truth is, we often step onto our path with our own ideas of how things should unfold. We may even hold onto plans that, while well-intentioned, are not aligned with God’s will. But the journey—filled with its twists, turns, and unanticipated challenges—is how God refines us. As we daily surrender to Him, He transforms our thinking and renews our minds (Romans 12:2). 

God’s ways are higher than our ways. His plans are greater than ours. And while we may not understand His purpose in the moment, we can trust that He is weaving something beautiful out of our obedience and surrender. 

My Journey

Reflecting on my own journey, I see how easy it is to fight against the very thing God is using to shape us. There have been times when I thought I knew better, times when I resisted or wrestled with what was clearly God’s will. I’ve had moments of questioning, asking God why the path couldn’t be easier or clearer. But in hindsight, I see how every detour, every hardship, and every moment of surrender has prepared me for the season I’m in now. 

Leaving the field three years ago was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. I felt like I was stepping into the unknown, carrying not only physical exhaustion but also the weight of feeling disconnected from my calling. Yet, God used that season of rest and healing to realign my heart and vision. It was through that journey—and the daily act of surrendering my plans to Him—that Compass Asia was born. 

Coming back to the field, I see now how much of my resistance came from trying to hold onto control. But God, in His goodness, doesn’t call us to control the outcome—

He calls us to surrender to His will.

And in surrender, there is peace. 

For Those on the Journey 

If you’re on a journey today, whether as a Christian global worker or simply navigating a challenging season in life, I want to encourage you to let go of the need to figure everything out. Trust that God’s ways are higher. Trust that His plan is stronger. 

Journeys aren’t meant to be easy—they’re meant to transform us. They teach us humility as we recognize that we cannot do this on our own. They teach us dependence as we lean into God’s strength. And they teach us gratitude as we see how He carries us through every high and low. 

For Christian global workers especially, the journey can feel isolating and overwhelming at times. You may start out filled with excitement and purpose, but as challenges arise, it’s easy to question your calling or feel inadequate. But be reminded of this: as you surrender daily, God transforms your heart, your thinking, and your perspective. 

Walking Together 

At Compass Asia, our heart is to walk alongside Christian global workers in their journeys, offering spaces of rest, debriefing, and care. We know firsthand how difficult the journey can be, and we also know the beauty of surrendering it all to God. 

So this November, let us give thanks for the journey—not because it’s perfect or easy, but because it’s where God meets us, shapes us, and prepares us for His purposes. Let us walk in humility, laying down our plans and embracing His, trusting that He will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19). 

In the end, it’s not about where the journey takes us—it’s about who we become along the way. May we stay humble, surrendered, and grateful for the One who leads us. 

His plans are always greater, and for that, we give thanks.

Until All Have Heard,

Rachel