Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. James 1.17
Change is inevitable. Without change there would be no new life in nature, for it is because of winter that the trees and ground are renewed with an over abundance of life (Something I have to tell myself every year because I greatly dislike the winter/cold). Our lives are much the same; we go through changes, we go through hardships, we go through times where we are at perfect peace; we even call these times "seasons of life." God gave me a season of anticipation and excitement to lead me into a season of peace.
I had a benefit sale, which started on a Thursday. The Tuesday prior we (my squad) received an email about switching squads/routes; I skimmed it and went back to unloading boxes, giving it no thought. On Thursday, the first day of my sale, we received another email stating they needed to know by midnight that night. Again, I skimmed it, thought about it periodically through the day, but never fully processed it. Until, that is, I received a text from another squad-mate (Bethany, who lives 10 min. from me) stating she was seriously thinking about switching. I was in shock! I sent a text to the other girl who lives close (Tiffany), she said she was certain she was on the right squad/route. I questioned Bethany as to why, and knowing about my sale and busyness, she told me to read the emails and I would understand.
As I read them I thought, well I should definitely pray about it and be open to God's moving. I read the two routes we had to choose from; route 1 had a country I greatly feel a pull in my spirit for (Nepal), route 4 did not. I read the emails and routes to mom and dad, mom immediately said not route 4. I told her I was open to either, but route 4 didn't have Nepal on it. I sent Bethany another text "If you switch, which one are you switching to?" She replied with route 4. We both needed to pray about everything and we said we would call around 8:30pm.
I wrote, on separate papers, each route and went to pray. At once God told me route 4 was not it and to discard it, so I did. I then asked Him if I was to stay on my current route or switch to route 1. After more conversation God told me that I was to switch to route 1 (Q-squad). I told Him I would switch. I told Him that I would tell Bethany and Tiffany that we, all three, were on separate squads; and that even though it would suck to tell them, I knew that our impact from little Miami County Ohio would be so much greater.
7:22pm-One minute after I told God I would do it, Bethany called. I hesitated to pick up…Already!?!?
B: I'm switching.
Me: I am too.
B: I'm switching to route 1, I prayed about it and I read blogs and I feel that God wants me on route 1 because……….
I instantly broke into tears. My God is faithful. Sometimes He wants us to be obedient and willing before showing us that it was His plan all along, but we just need to confirm to Him that we, humans, are willing to change into the uncomfortable. I have had nothing but peace about the switch. God has me right where I need to be and I cannot wait to GO!!!
My new route is: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Nepal, India, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania.
Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40.31
