Have you ever noticed that when God really wants you to pay attention He continually makes you learn the same lesson repeatedly until you pick up on it? There is a part of me that is just gawking at God, utterly amazed by His consistence in reaching my heart. Then, there is this other (more human) part of me thats like, okay, okay, I hear you. I’ve got it now, loud and clear.
Just kidding. I’ve never truly got it down- that’s the joy of relationships. Relationships that are full of life are a true balance; they’re always growing and changing and that’s why I’ve never “got it down.” The sharing and listening of life is continuously taking new forms; it’s never stagnant. That’s the kind of relationship that God has not only called us into, but welcomed us into.
Recently, God has been repeating sermons in my life that all have a common thread: Decisions lead to direction which leads to destination. In the past four sermons that I’ve heard, God has been pulling on my heartstrings and tugging my attention to the present. He opened my eyes to recognize that I struggle with trusting Him because I want my plans to be “successful” and not just end in a lesson. (You know, end in the same way every Bible story that we’ve ever maintained a smidgeon of wisdom from ends; why would I want that?) This is the true joy of relationship- God, my Savior and my friend, has been talking to me these last few weeks and trying to get me to listen to what He has for me in the present, but I’ve been taking up all of our time talking about what I see instead of being quiet and trying to see things from God’s perspective.
God has called me to go on mission. He has called us to be on mission for Him now, in the present, in our every day vocations and lives. He has called us to live a life of boldness in His name.(Joshua 1:9) God is so incredibly present in the small things. This past week I have been praying about how to be Christ in my everyday life working as a waitress and a student before this next year abroad begins. During my times of introspection I’ve tried to reflect on all of the events that God has been faithful in so I can draw strength from those memories. I know that He will be just as faithful as He was in the past as He will be in my present and future. One of the events I was thinking about was my family’s move to Virginia. We moved here because God called my family to make disciples and have small groups in this community. When we got here my parents didn’t have jobs for the summer, our house hadn’t sold, and we had no community to rely on. But God was faithful. By a miracle of God both my parents got jobs and a townhouse community trusted my parents financial history enough to allow us to rent a house. The move was overwhelming, but God had a plan through all of it.
In compilation with all of this, this past week I realized that the street we live on, Intrepid Court, literally means fearless adventure. That is not a coincidence! God has truly called us to be fearless, to be bold, and to be love in His name, and that is exactly what I want to do. God has shown me that He is ceaselessly faithful and now it’s my turn to be faithful to Him in my daily devotions, my prayer life, and in my friendships with His people. I am so thankful for those of you supporting this mission and excited to see how God is moving people’s hearts to come alongside me in prayer and financial support.
I would like to ask that all of you would continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I will be keeping you in mine. My prayer is that throughout these next few months God not only gives me the opportunity to show His love to others, but emboldens me with His presence and courage so there is no doubt that anything I do or say is through His strength alone. Thanks again for your faithful prayers and support!
