At this point, I’m getting used to God switching plans up on me.
I thought I was moving to Georgia; I was led to the World Race.
I thought I was going to China this summer; the route to China was closed last minute.
I thought I was going to church; I was sent to jail.
(If you don’t understand the last reference, read my blog “He Sets The Prisoner Free”)
The Lord has a funny way of doing things.
Two days after we arrived in Lezhë, Albania, I listened to a podcast about meekness. He has been teaching me about growing in meekness since training camp, so I assumed that this podcast would just be more about that subject. Little did I know that He wanted to teach me something else entirely.
In the podcast, the pastor shared a conversation he had with the Lord. The church was small, and he was pastoring a small youth group.
He said to the Lord, “Lord, nothing’s happening. Why aren’t You moving in the youth group?”
The Lord responded strongly, “I will not allow you to step on the heads of teenagers into your next ministry position. As long as you see this as a stepping stone, I will not move.“
When I heard that, my heart froze.
“…Treat it as if it’s the last thing you’ll ever do for Me.”
The fear of God hit me like a ton of bricks.
Working on a farm and scooping sheep poop may not be my “ministry of choice,” but it’s the ministry God has entrusted me with today. What if this REALLY was the last thing I could ever do for Him on this earth? What would He say about my heart and my attitude? Was I wholeheartedly investing in the ministry opportunity presented to me, or simply using it as a stepping stone for my own advancement?
I felt so humbled in that moment. I’m so thankful God revealed this to me early on in my Race.
Whether it’s scooping poop at a pig farm in Albania, playing cards with a teenage Serbian, or praying for a Turkish Muslim woman on a bus to Montenegro… I want to be fully present and serve the Lord with excellence, no matter what He calls me to do.
“…and step by step, You’ll lead me, and I will follow You all of my days.”
