Have you ever watched Scooby Doo, and sat back astonished. You see the same thing every episode.
The meddling kids and their dog would show up at whatever location, then a monster would appear! The rest of the show is them running from the terrifying monster while at the same time trying to solve the mystery of why the monster was there. The show always ends with them figuring out the mystery, and pulling a monster mask not off an actual monster, but a rather upset human being.
The show always follows the same plot line. It doesn't matter how many monsters they uncover to be humans, no matter how many masks they pull off, the mystery gang always freak out Every single time a monster appears. Scooby and shaggy always go 'momomoMONSTER!' And go running in the opposite direction. They never say 'ya know, I bet that is just a crazed person wearing a mask" they forget every single monster they have ever unmasked, they forget that they have never really been in any real danger, and instead assume the worst and go running in the opposite direction yelling monster.
You think they would learn!
Let me tell you something, we are more like shaggy and Scooby then I care to admit.
I spent the last year of my life seeing The Lord completely blow my mind.
I have seen healings,
provision,
community,
Peace,
revival,
intimacy
growth.
i have seen The Lord work and move in amazing, indescribable, unbelievable, continual ways.
And yet every single time a struggle comes my way, an obstacle, a challenge, I start screaming monster and run the opposite direction.
I have seen The Lord unmask monster after monster, showing me In Every situation that he is good, that he is sovereign, and that he provides. I however forget so easily. I see the monsters in my life not as they are; fools in disguise, trying to go up against MY GOD, but as they first appear; unbelievably terrifying obstacles that I can never overcome.
Right now The Lord is calling me to Georgia, to go to bible school for a year.
I am exhausted, burnt out, and just plain tired.
I am ready to take a year, and just go back to my normal life. Get a job, spend time with family, go to church. But The Lord told me No. He told me that now is not a time for rest, but for action.
That terrifies me. I am so exhausted I can not imagine giving any more. Going another year without my family and friends hurts my heart every time I think about it.
But He is calling me, so I will go. I will go, believing that he will be my strength, I will go believing that he will be my joy, and I will go believing that somehow he will provide the support that I need to be able to pay for school.
Instead of looking at support raising, leaving, and preparation for another year away from home and yelling monster, I choose to remember the amazing ways that he provided for me while I was on my race. I choose to remember that he provides when he calls, and that everything is in the hands of my Father. I choose not to see a monster, but see an opportunity to show the world that my God provides!
He will provide me with peace, he will provide me with strength, and he will provide me with financial support. Because because compared to my God, leaving home again is no monster! I choose not to forget how amazing my god is this time! I choose to remember!
If any of you feel called to continue supporting me, I would be so completely blessed. I am going to a school in Georgia called Center for Global Action (or CGA for short) and will spend the year learning what it means to use my gifts and abilities in a ministry setting. I pray that you will continue to support me, knowing that you are investing in me, helping me learn the best possible ways to love God, and share that love not only all over the world, but in America as well. I have to raise $3500 to cover this entire year of school, and that includes school, housing, and food. Thank you all so much for the support you have already shown me, and the support you will continue to shower upon me.
And remember, next time you encounter a monster of your own, choose to remember that it is just a fool in disguise compared to the power of your God.
