In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
We’ve all read Proverbs 3:5-6 a few times before. Myself included. “Lean not on my own understanding… acknowledge God in all I do… yes.” Flip over to other passages like Colossians 3:17 (Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father) and 1 Corinthians 10:31 (Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God) and you see it reaffirmed. Do it as if you were doing it for God so He may be glorified. Acknowledge Him in it and He will continue to direct your path. Which is something we all want, right? To have God at the helm of our lives, to ensure that we’re living out the absolute best He has planned for us, and to be living proof that God’s plans are infinitely better than our own.
It’s always been one of my favorite verses in Scripture. And a few weeks ago, the Lord gave me a renewed appreciation and understanding of all He packed into it when He inspired it – knowing I would read it and need it.
Since returning from the Race, the Lord has been giving me a lot of visions of what my life could look like – and I’ve struggled with those visions because I can’t always recognize the version of myself I see in them. For example, I’ve always described myself as very task-oriented. I may not always remember to stop and ask someone how they’re doing, but if that person needed something then I’m good at getting things done. But the me I see in these visions is someone who’s passionate about walking alongside others – challenging, encouraging and coaching them. Exposing them to their God-given potential through their identity and calling. And when I actually stop to consider that version of myself, I realize that the me I am now IS passionate about those same things. She just doesn’t have all of the experience and competencies yet. Those muscles haven’t yet been exercised. But I know they’re there.
I stop and ask myself, “How am I going to get there?” How am I going to become the me I see in those visions? How do I get beyond what I’ve always excelled at in favor of doing what I’ve never really tried before? Is it possible to be really great at getting things done AND building relationships? Can a person re-train themselves on how to utilize their gifts and skills to accomplish a much different outcome? And then the Lord reminded me of Proverbs 3:6.
Acknowledge Me in all your ways, and I will make your paths straight.
And for the first time, I read the word “ways” as in “all the ways I am” rather than “all the ways I do” – and it clicked. If I were to break down all that I am – all that I ever have been, all the I ever will be – and acknowledge God’s purpose for them in my life – my personality, my body type, my upbringing, my work experience, my instincts – He will straighten my path. All the pieces and parts of me that look on the surface to be incompatible – will fall into place. It will be my responsibility to walk down this path toward everything I am meant to be – but my feet can be sure that they are walking on steady and solid ground each and every step. All I can say is thank You, Lord.
Along with sharing what God’s been teaching me, I also want to take a quick moment to update everyone on my upcoming travel plans!
On Sunday, the Fellows are heading to Greece! We will be working in Lesvos for two weeks at one of their “transition points” – after people arrive on the boats and begin making their way to their next destination. We will provide them with food, water, and clothing along with the hope and light of Jesus. We are over 60% funded! We need to raise another $6,000 to help cover our flights to/from – will you help us get there? Please visit our site (Help Fellows Serve in Greece) to make a donation and check out my previous blog (Going to Greece) for more information!
On March 11th, my time in the Fellowship program will come to an end! I’m pleased to announce that with my monthly donors and promised one-time donations, I’M FULLY FUNDED! Thank you to everyone who has donated and prayed for me over this season of my life! It’s been a very enriching experience and I see the Lord using my time here at Adventures in a big way in my future!
On March 16th-23rd, I’M GOING BACK TO HAITI! I’ll be heading back down with members from my church and working with Haiti Teen Challenge (the same organization I worked with 3 times in 2013). Haiti was my first mission trip and I consider it the place where I encountered God in a real way for the first time. In the 3 years since that first trip, HTC has continued to grow – graduating over 100 young men from their program and adding a women’s program this last November. The men I spent much of my time with in 2013 are now getting married, having children and walking out the plans God has given them. I’m excited to go back, see my friends, make new ones and walk alongside them as they go out and do ministry in Haiti! I’m looking for additional financial supporters specifically for this trip. If it’s on your heart to give to this trip, please email me ([email protected]) and I’ll send you instructions on the best way to donate.
Last, but not least, I received the news just last night that I will be SQUAD LEADING the World Race Expedition squad launching in early April! Squad Leaders are alumni Racers who go back out onto the field with a squad of new Racers and disciple, equip and love on them for the first 5 months. Squad leading is something that’s been on my heart for almost a year and I’m grateful and so excited that the Lord has said YES to this squad at this time. I will be posting more about this next season in upcoming blogs (as I train and prepare myself and get to know my squad) – but I am already beginning to build a support team around myself. I will need to raise up to $6,500 to fulfill all my possible obligations as a squad leader ($3,500 for the first 5 months and up to an additional $3,000 for any debriefs I’m sent to after those first five months). If you’re currently a monthly supporter and you’re interested in continuing that support, please let me know! If you’d like to make a one-time donation, send me an email and I’ll send you instructions on how you can donate. If you’re currently on my prayer team for the Fellowship, consider yourself a part of my Squad Leading prayer team as well!
I know it’s a lot of things going on – but I’m so excited for where the Lord has me and what He’s going to show and teach me in all of this. The path is coming together; it’s being made straight! Thank you for standing by me and supporting me in all the ways over the last three years!
For His glory,
Nat
