….God’s been teaching me a LOT about STORY this month in the Philippines….
Today I got to share my story in church for a Tagalog service at JVVC. It began with an opportunity we received to lead worship, so there we were three awesome Filipino guys that played drums, electric guitar, and bass, my teammate Alecia playing acoustic guitar and Bonnie and I singing. It was so cool to see how joyful and free the Filipino people were in worship, they love Jesus A LOT! Along with leading worship, we were asked to give our testimony. For the first church service Alecia stepped up and gave her personal testimony which was fantastic! Well, as Nick got up to give the sermon I felt God nudging me saying, “I want you to give your testimony in the second service”. Nick, the pastor’s son, gave the sermon and it was about living by faith even when you face hard times that God is with you and it is by being in communion with Him that you can actually THANK HIM amongst your pain. Whew, okay so by the time he was done preaching I was pretty sure God wanted me to share in the next service and there was no way I was getting out of it (me and public speaking are not good friends just fyi). So after the service I was talking with Alecia and she said I do not want to give my testimony in the second service can you find someone else….haha I just stared at her and said yep okay I’ll do it no problem…..confirmation?!? ugh…
I got up without any preparation since we had really no time in between the two services. Worship was incredible, the second service was filled with kids from the childrens’ home and school that I’ve been teaching at. As we sang, “Every Move I Make” and the kids shouted it out I was filled with JOY, I loved every minute of it! After singing, I stayed in front and gave my testimony. God once again showed up, as He always does, He gave me the words to say to that group of people and I could see the response was moving. I say that not to pat myself on the back and say good job Carly…I say it to give God the glory, He came through and He used me- just an average girl from Ohio -to touch lives in the Philippines TODAY…
When I was done speaking, I sat down and felt different. Honestly I’m finding it hard to explain exactly in words, but I’ll try. I felt as though God was confirming within me something I’ve been praying through and trying to believe over the last two years. After Glen died, I felt angry and unaccepting of my story, it took a long time until I could finally say okay God I accept my story, please use it for your greater good, I trust YOU. It took me a LONG time to get to that point, and I reached it a few months ago before leaving for the Race. Today though, I felt as though God actually did USE my story to speak to people. Maybe this doesnt make sense to anyone but me, but it was a turning point in my healing. I’ve shared my story in public before, at 5Stones Church even, but today was different. God actually showed me THIS MORNING how He is using my story to touch THE NATIONS and I’m overwhelmed. I’m overwhelmed because He is so good, and He has such great plans for this year and the future and today was just a taste of all He is doing…
God gave EVERYONE a unique story, whether you accept it or not, your story is YOUR STORY, and it’s POWERFUL when you give it over completely to the Lord to use for HIS purpose. No matter what your story is I pray that you allow God to have control, that you give Him the glory no matter how painful or challenging it may be, let Him use it for His good!
For so long I didnt want to accept my story. I literally told God, “no I dont accept this story, take it back it’s not mine”. He never gave up on me though, and now I’m so glad that I finally accepted it as His story to use or I wouldn’t be on this journey now, seeing and experiencing His work.
Today for the FIRST time I was able to say “Thank you Lord for my story” and I really meant it….
This is my Filipino sister Joy- she attends JCCV and is currently a seminary student. She is a wonderful sister to me and we have enjoyed many good conversations and times together- God has given her a special place in my heart and I will never forget her! Please pray that her family come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior!
