Wait. Didn't I just arrive in San Diego? That is the story of my life! I mean, I JUST moved to Missouri in January to attend school by faith. After my first semester back in school (after nearly a decade of not being in a classroom), summer break never looked so good! But now, after two months of social refreshment, and fundraising, I'm ready to embark on my continued journey.
Destination: Heaven's Gate.
Mission: Save the World.
Difficulty Level: Undetermined.
It's true that there are risks to living by faith. For one, it requires trusting in an unseen God. Yes, even in the face of opposition from loved ones. It requires an act of moving forward, even when you can only see the next step. It takes an element of curiosity to ask yourself why you're so nervous, fearful, and confused. Can one think that just maybe the enemy uses those emotions to distract us from drawing close to God in a new way? I think, YES!
God often uses the element of mystery when He draws one to Himself. It's that mystery that keeps me asking Him, "How do You want to reveal Yourself?" He has so much to give, and has given so much, that I can't help but follow after Him. Because of His faithfulness, my only response is to live by faith.
Let me bring you up to date. Up until two years ago, I didn't perceive that I had any passions. Don't get me wrong, I had the Sunday School answer, "Jesus." But...what about Jesus was I passionate about? I didn't have an answer. The passion was underdeveloped. Something needed to change! So, as faithful as Jesus is, He began changing me. He began transforming my heart, mind and soul. He started giving me His desires, the passion was not my own, but His. I developed His heart for me, and His love for others. He started expanding my capacity to love Him with a greater love. He gave me opportunities to lead others into His throne-room through music. I sensed that something big was about to happen.So I started taking voice lessons and guitar lessons to become a skilled musician.The motivation was there, the reasoning was unknown. Then it all became clear last fall when I was faced with making a decision regardless of my emotional response. My options at hand:
1. Move 1500 miles away, where I didn't know anyone to attend the International House of Prayer University.
-or-
2. Stay where I was, where I had a lot of friends and family, a full-time job with benefits, and not to mention the ministries I was involved in. Did I mention that I bought leather couches for my living room??
The answer was obvious to me! Hello! I bought couches! They were leather. And comfy. And perfect. But there was one problem that I was caught up on. And Lord reminded me, gently, that I had never wanted to "post my white picket-fence." There was something mysterious and exhilarating about the unknown. I just HAD to ask, "What's in Missouri that You're not telling me?" ...no answer. I mean, He DID tell me He would bless whatever decision I made. So after all that was said and done, I quit my job, hugged many supportive friends and family, and moved, by faith, 8 weeks later to the land of the unknown. And yes, I sold my couches... to my mother.
So what did I find in Missouri, you ask? I referred to it as the land of the unknown, but what I found out was that it became to me a land of refreshment for this weary soul. I took my "Christian goblet" and dipped it into the streams of living water. The Lord brought me to Missouri to equip me in more than one way. My vision is to see the Church restored back to intimacy with Christ. How can I impact the Church on a global scale if I have not engaged the Lord personally? He wanted to revive my soul and reveal His affections towards me, so that I, too, can declare the truth of who He is! I spend 24 hours a week in the prayer room, where my agenda is ministering to the Lord, declaring His word, praising Him in His glory. Let me tell you, within my 40 hour week, including 15 credits of school and my time in the prayer room, there were some discoveries I made in regards to my faith-walk and identity.
I discovered intercession is as simple as telling God what He tells me to tell Him.
I discovered satisfying love.
I discovered joy taking root in my core.
I discovered the more I pray, the more I begin to love.
I discovered there is more to life than my circle of influence.
I discovered the power of God's word against the enemy.
I discovered that God is in the business of increasing our faith.
With all the revelation that the Holy Spirit revealed to me, I want to encourage you with that last one. If you are in a place of indecision and confusion? God doesn't bring the confusion, He helps you work through it. He is stronger than the obstacles that you are facing. Entering into His peace is obtainable. Feeling loved by Him is possible. Engaging Him in the process is the key. The only way to walk by faith is in direct communication with the One leading you.
My desire is that the Lord has spoken to you, to encourage your heart. Please let me know how I can pray for you in this adventure we call "LIFE."
If you have been blessed by this post and/or want to contribute towards my "faith fund" (click here)
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