One of my favorite things about Jesus is that He is always doing something new and unexpected - whether in us or through us or around us. His perfect Love goes before all things and in Him all things hold together. (Col. 1:10) And it is is always, always, always better than we could have hoped or imagined. (Eph. 3:21) This is the promise we must stand on, take claim of, lay hold of - because if we don't, the unexpected can really knock the breath of out of us.
This was not a blog post I was expecting to write anytime soon, yet here I am. This was not a season of life I was expecting to enter anytime soon, yet here it is. I'm excited and terrified and sad and joyful all at the same time. And underlying all of these emotions, there is a steadfast and firm peace where my heart is resting.
This was not a blog post I was expecting to write anytime soon, yet here I am. This was not a season of life I was expecting to enter anytime soon, yet here it is. I'm excited and terrified and sad and joyful all at the same time. And underlying all of these emotions, there is a steadfast and firm peace where my heart is resting.
I knew about a year ago that God was doing something new in me but at the time I couldn't quite wrap my mind around it. What I kept coming back to was this: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) The one thing I knew that I could trust in was this promise, firm and true: no matter what, God would work all things out for my good and for His glory. And so He is...
After some poking and prodding and exploring, I was presented with a unique opportunity. The Young Life community in Knoxville, TN had been praying for quite some time for a staff person to step into their city and help raise up a new branch of ministry within a people group that has been overlooked for far too long - the Latino immigrant population. The more I heard about the vision of the need and the job, the more I felt a stirring in my heart. Could this be the "something new" I felt all those months ago? After a whirlwind trip to the States, an interview, a job offer and much time of prayer and processing...I knew the direction in which the Lord was leading me.
"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." -Isaiah 30:21
This summer, I will be moving to Knoxville, TN to continue investing in the lives of teenagers within the Latino community, while training and discipling university students in their walk with the Lord. Although the vision may look a little different, the calling remains the same. First and foremost, a call to be in relationship with Jesus. Secondly, a call to continue pouring out my life for the souls of teenagers in a ministry that has been and continues to be very impactful in my life.
As I was processing this big life decision, I came to realize that for many years - perhaps my entire life - I have allowed for the voice of fear to reign in my life. In every decision, relationship, friendship, job, thought - fear has always been the resounding voice that held claim over me. Without ever really knowing it, I slowly began to confuse the voice of fear and the voice of God. How quickly that line can be blurred. This past year, as I have been learning what it means to be brave, a quote from one of my favorite authors stands out: "Brave people are the ones who hear the whispers of fear and don't listen to them anymore." This decision to pick up my life (once again) and move to another city where I don't know anyone or anything is a step towards a new way of life for me. A way of life that is choosing not to listen to the whispers of fear but instead, listening to the peacefully confidant voice of God.
Choosing to be brave looks different every day - but the more I choose to be brave in the small things, the more I realize how empowering it is to be brave in the big things. Ultimately, I know it is He who makes my heart brave. So as I take this next big step of faith in life, I will continue to stand on this promise:
As I was processing this big life decision, I came to realize that for many years - perhaps my entire life - I have allowed for the voice of fear to reign in my life. In every decision, relationship, friendship, job, thought - fear has always been the resounding voice that held claim over me. Without ever really knowing it, I slowly began to confuse the voice of fear and the voice of God. How quickly that line can be blurred. This past year, as I have been learning what it means to be brave, a quote from one of my favorite authors stands out: "Brave people are the ones who hear the whispers of fear and don't listen to them anymore." This decision to pick up my life (once again) and move to another city where I don't know anyone or anything is a step towards a new way of life for me. A way of life that is choosing not to listen to the whispers of fear but instead, listening to the peacefully confidant voice of God.
Choosing to be brave looks different every day - but the more I choose to be brave in the small things, the more I realize how empowering it is to be brave in the big things. Ultimately, I know it is He who makes my heart brave. So as I take this next big step of faith in life, I will continue to stand on this promise:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9
