Are you living as a stranger in a strange land?

When you think about the big dream God has given you, does it ever feel like that vision for the future is at odds with the life you are living today? When your hopes and dreams seem far off in the future, considering a visit that would bring you closer to their realization feels more than a little uncomfortable. It’s a place you’ve never been with unfamiliar roles and responsibilities and often more risk than you’d choose on the average day.

IF YOU’VE EVER FELT LIKE YOU DON’T BELONG, THIS IS THE EPISODE FOR YOU

My guest this week was struggling with loneliness and homesickness living away from her native India when her husband’s work required them to move to the States. It was in that experience that Mabel Ninan began to cry out to God, asking for His help to face these struggles and in the process realized the deeper issues of identity and belonging that came from her circumstances.

As a result of what God has been teaching her, Mabel’s first book is coming out July 12, 2022. It’s called Far from Home: Discovering Your Identity as Foreigners on Earth and is currently available for pre-order. She’s also a Bible teacher, speaker, and host of the YouTube podcast Immigrant Faith Stories.

In this episode, Mabel shares about realizing her identity as a spiritual immigrant and her dream to inspire believers to embrace their pilgrim journey and boldly pursue their heavenly calling. We also talk about:

Finding stability, permanence, and security when you’re feeling adrift in the world,
Knowing what you were made to do but having no idea where to begin, and
How God meets you when you walk right out of your comfort zone.

17 Quick-Win Actions to Get Your Dream Moving Forward

You’ve likely heard me extoll the value of taking baby steps toward your dream. I believe this is one of the most useful tools we have at our disposal at the beginning of such a journey.

If you’re not sure where to start or what those steps might be, check out 17 Quick-Win Actions to Get Your Dream Moving Forward. It’s just a list—you could use it as a checklist if you like—and you don’t even have to do them all. You can just choose one, and that’s your baby step, momentum-builder to get you out of procrastination and get you moving today. Then, you can choose another one tomorrow.

Get the list at: http://www.merrittonsa.com/quickwin

CONNECT WITH ME:

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CONNECT WITH MABEL:

Website || Facebook || Instagram || YouTube

MORE ABOUT MABEL:

Mabel’s articles and devotions have been published in The Upper Room, CBN.com, Leading Hearts Magazine, and (in)courage.me. She is also a contributor to Guideposts’ All God’s Creatures: Daily Devotions for Animal Lovers 2022.

She is currently pursuing a M.A. in Theological Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She enjoys reading and traveling but finds her greatest satisfaction and joy in studying the Bible and having conversations about her faith. Mabel lives in Northern California with her husband, son, and Maltese pup.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Far From Home by Mabel Ninan (pre-order before July 11th for the bonuses mentioned in this episode)

Immigrant Faith Stories, Mabel’s YouTube podcast

Scripture:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

~ Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all
without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

~ James 1:5 (NIV)

as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

~ 2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV)

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The Devoted Dreamers Podcast is produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.