Yesterday, as I was driving to a friend’s for dinner, I was having a moment and praying to God about certain struggles in my life. I was having trouble believing what God says about me and trusting that He will do what He says He will do for me. Then, suddenly traffic came to a complete stop. There was an accident and immediately, I began to pray without having seen what had happened up ahead, but an ambulance was rushing in, and I could see police lights flashing in the distance. Then I remembered that I had a little pocket bible in my console and I decided I would pull it out. As I sat there in traffic, I silently asked God to reveal something to me “if he was listening…”
I grabbed my mini bible and opened it straight to 2 Peter 1 and began to read:
1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Confirming One’s Calling and Election
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“Whoa! Thank you Jesus.”
Then, traffic began moving again. As I sat there, driving toward my destination, I meditated on this word. I thought about what it meant for my life and where I am headed in just 52 days. A plan and purpose He gave me. A door He opened for me to walk through to embark on a journey with Him. One that would allow for me to draw closer to Him and allow me to be His hands and His feet as I go out into the nations to love and serve others well like He did.
“WHAT THE WHAT?” – like how is this even possible?
Finally, I made it to my destination and without having said anything at all about what I had read on the way over there, as my friend and I are walking to dinner, we were talking about how close the trip is getting and all the rush of emotions I am feeling as the date approaches and she says to me “Ana, you are going to do such a wonderful job out there.” I honestly just wanted to cry because some days I don’t feel worthy. Some days I fail miserably at being still and allowing God to direct my path. I still sometimes make poor choices. I still struggle in my day to day. The fact that I am going to travel across the world with a handful of strangers, two backpacks and a bible is just completely insane to me, BUT I am willing.
I am giving up this life and exchanging it for something greater than myself. I am leaving the family and friends I have always loved and cherished. I am giving up a nice, comfortable salary. I am just pressing forward – TRUSTING that God is control and He will see me through whatever this next chapter of my life holds for me.
& right when I am feeling inadequate, He is so gentle to remind me that this is the plan He has for me…
How fortunate am I to be living this life? Thank You Jesus. Thank You!
