11 months as a registered nurse…Me?! How crazy to realize! I have learned so much these past 11 months, met so many wonderful people, and matured in so many ways. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to love and serve God’s people of Muncie, Indiana. In less than 6 months I will be leaving for the World Race where I will spend a new set of 11 months loving and serving God’s people overseas. It will look completely different than the past 11 months, but I look forward to discovering all the ways God is going to continue to mature me into the beautiful woman He has created.
While discerning God’s calling to the World Race, I began to realize all the areas in which God was working to mature me: Faith, Trust, Love, Patience, Strength.
Mature me in my Faith: God is definitely working in me to mature me in my faith. My relationship with God is going deeper daily. I am learning how to fully love His Word and the precious time I get with Him. “I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants–but let them not turn to folly. Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.” Psalm 85:8-9
Mature me in my Trust: My trust in God is growing. I am learning what it means to seek Christ fully and believe that He will guide me when I trust Him with all of me. God has the whole World Race planned in all aspects and I must surrender the preparation, finances, launching in July, and serving for 11 months to Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Mature me in my Love: There is always more room for being stretched when it comes to learning love. I must continue to learn how to love people no matter who they are, how they treat me or just how tired I get of being around them. I will spend 11 months living and working with the same people 24/7. Galatians 5:13-15 says, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
Mature me in my Patience: God has shown me already how I must be patient with Him for His guidance in life. Initially when I heard about the World Race this past summer, I wanted to leave in January 2014…aka NOW. However, God wanted me to wait for Him until His timing was perfect. I am so thankful I was patient. I know God is going to do amazing things with my team that launches in July. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Psalm 37:7a
Mature me in my Strength: My strength will come from the Lord. It will not come from self production or approval of others. Christ is my strength. This simple statement is in some ways the hardest for me. I love people and tend to be a people pleaser, but God does not command us to function to please others. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13.
I grow more excited each day as I see how much I have already matured and how much more I have to learn. God is going to do amazing things. Praise be to the Lord!
