I have always loved serving the Lord. In fact, if you know me you may think I am too much of a “Yes Girl” when it comes to serving Christ. Honestly, it is such a joy to partner with God that it doesn’t even feel like work to me. I find it exciting and inspiring to have a front row seat watching all of the amazing things He does in the lives of His people. I am “ALL IN” with Him, no sitting on the sidelines for me. I want to be in the game! I love the every day miracles that I get to witness, as Jesus shows His love so perfectly and unconditionally. I have found an unexplained fulfillment in my life by doing Kingdom work for His plans and purposes.
If I am honest though, most of the areas where I have served Him have been safe for me. Nothing that has ever taken me too far out of my comfort zone, I have stretched and grown over the years, but never have I been to another country on a mission trip and never have I stepped out of my easy, comfortable lifestyle to step down into places of poverty, hunger, or abandonment. I identify with what Jen says about her life, “my life resembled the basic pursuit of the American dream; it just occurred in a church setting. I subscribed to the commonly agreed–upon life route: Go to college, get married, have kids, make good money, progress up the neighborhood ladder, amass beautiful things, keep our life safe and protected, raise smart children who will be wildly successful and never move back home, serve at church more than makes sense, and eventually retire in comfort.” Ouch, that statement is pretty much what I’ve done with my life since I became a Christian back in 1988. Now don’t get me wrong, I haven’t just sat around purposely trying not to make a positive difference for Christ. In fact, God has given me the opportunity to serve Mommies in MOPS, women in Women’s Ministry, children and youth, disciple new believers, and connect people into the life of our church. All of these experiences have been gifts from God to me personally and I pray that in some small way that I have made a difference for Him.
I think God wanted me to read this book to prepare my heart to take the next steps in my walk with Him. On the flip side of that, I’m pretty convinced that Satan didn’t want me to ever finish the book because He knew it would wreck me, twist me up, and challenge me to make a difference for Christ in places that I have left untouched with my life. I was interrupted from reading this book, “Interrupted” at least 4 times that I can remember. Lately the crazy things that have happened have made me think our life story could turn into a country western song. The puppy we love got run over, the rental home deal that we almost had put together fell apart when the buyer had a heart attack, my son retired from football at the young age of 15, due to his injury last fall, I got busy working full time, and the story goes on and on. Not too far into all the drama, I started figuring out what was happening. I was about halfway through the book and I knew that this book would forever change the course of the rest of my life. I believe that God will have me taking some wildly incredible steps that will lead me to some GRAND ADVENTURES with HIM! I’ve started dreaming and praying with God about what that will look like for me. I haven’t fully caught His vision for me, but I am pretty sure it will have something to do with caring for orphans. I do know that this journey will lead me to some places in town that I often avoid and some countries that I’ve never been to, definitely outside the little box I’ve kept myself contained in for quite a few years. I am scared and excited all at the same time, but I have walked long enough with God to know that I want to go with Him wherever He leads me! I know that obediently following Him is always the Best course of action to take for Me!
How about you? Are you ready to step outside of your comfort zone to care for widows and orphans, to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. I am praying that all of us will follow our Savior wherever He personally leads! This is your one life; go make a difference for Him!
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