What does discerning God’s will from your own will look like? During my time in Grad Serve, Luke 22:42 was our anchor verse, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Not until my own dilemma right before our Sri Lanka mission trip did I truly understand how difficult it is to discern and surrender to God’s will.

We had spent about four months in hours of planning, intricate administrative coordination, and programme rehearsals. I was looking forward to sharing Christ with unreached youths there. But I had to stop and evaluate when Dad suffered a heart attack – my family’s first serious, scary health scare. Dad was in intensive care and at first his condition was so volatile, doctors dared not declare him as stable despite his progress.

When he regressed just before the trip, Mom asked if I was certain about leaving for Sri Lanka. My heart was heavy. I felt burdened with the weight of leaving my family.. I was in a dilemma. How do I best obey God in such a high-risk situation? How do I choose between what I viewed as my duty to God and His people, and my family who needed me too?

All I desired was to trust and obey the Lord, and He showed me His immense faithfulness.

Mom’s direct question to me felt like God giving me permission to let go of the mission trip to reach the people right in front of me first. God was leading me into a different mission field; my unsaved family. I remained at home and saw the Lord’s work. I could stay in the hospital with my parents, pray with them and share the gospel as the Spirit led me. He comforted and pulled us through that season, and still guides us now.

Throughout this ordeal, my fellow Grad Servants and supervisors spurred me to anchor myself in Christ and never complained when their portion expanded to accommodate mine. God used Grad Serve to grow my faith and I am amazed!

_{Enya Oh participated in Polytechnic Ministry’s 2025 Grad Serve, read more about her experience there! Though what happened in her family was far from small, she felt led to share this life-changing experience and continues to be amazed by the Lord’s love. She is in university now.}