Tuesday, July 24, 2012

In His will...

I was talking with a friend the other day who was helping us raise awareness for Village of Hope. She shared with me her frustration over the lack of support she had experienced and explained that she just couldn't understand why people don't seem to care. 

This exact questions has left me sleepless many a night and I have spent many hours in prayer pouring out my heart to God asking Him the same thing.

What I have come to the conclusion is there are several different answers to this question.

Number 1.  I think part of the process of 'living for Him' is being willing to step out of the boat while the rest of the world stays in. It's about YOUR faith, YOUR heart and YOUR relationship with God. It has nothing to do with anyone or anything else. It has nothing to do with what others think of you, say about you or if they even agree with you- and everything to do with the question of YOU being willing to stand up alone for what God has called YOU to do. This is difficult for most of us because we humans want to be accepted, approved of and liked. The coolest part about this though is that YOU are not responsible for how others act, how others respond or what others think about who God called YOU to do. That is between them and Him. The bible tells us that when we live for Him we shouldn't expect things to be easy and we should expect to be different. Jesus lived a life that others questioned and he was anything but popular.You are not alone, He understands what it feels like to be different, to be questioned and to be down right rejected.

Number 2. Not everyone can do or give to everything- and that is totally okay. We have had people say to us 'hey we love what you are doing and we are praying for your ministry but we are already giving to ________ (fill in the blank). And let me tell you I am the first one to give them a high five and thank them- because people in China, Russia, Uganda and the United states matter the same to God as the people in Guatemala. It's not about us and our mission- it's about GOD and His. We would never want to get in the way of what God has called someone to do with their lives and nothing excites me more than seeing people follow His will for their lives. That said, we must be careful to examine that we really are doing something or else we might accidentally fall into category number 3.

Number 3The excuse. We humans have a long list of them too. We think someone else will give, we think someone else will go, we wait for the perfect timing, the perfect situation, the safest bet. We fill our heads with so many excuses- so many reasons why we can't, we shouldn't, we couldn't- that we begin to believe them ourselves. And, we are left sitting on the bench believing that surely God would never ask us to do something that radical, something that scary, something that BIG. And it is then that we miss out on the greatest blessings in life- getting ourselves out of the way and truly living for Him.

I don't know what your situation is, I don't know what it is God has called you to do- but what I do know is that you are called. You are called to live a life outside of what YOU could do on your own without Him. You are called to give, to send, to go, to reach, to love, to share, to forgive, to LIVE- for Him.

I don't know who you were called to send, to what you were called to give, where you are called to go, who you were called to forgive, who you are called to reach out to-but He does- and I challenge you to just ask Him. Ask Him to lead you, guide you and show you who He is. Ask him to show you the world through His eyes. Ask him to show you what it is He has for your life. Ask Him to give you the courage to step out of that boat and begin the journey of a lifetime through the power of His blood. It won't be easy, it won't be comfortable and I can guarantee you people will mostly likely think you are nuts. But it is then my friend, you will know down deep in your heart that you right where you are supposed to be- in His will.

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7 comments:

The Sequin Singer said...

You are so right! So many people think that they aren't needed, because they are afraid to ask God what He wants them to do. They think that asking will mean He will make them change. And they are right. Change isn't what is scary, standing still in a moving world is what is scary. The devil working non stop to hinder our faith and God moving mountains to bring others to Christ. Standing still means you will get run over. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

Rebecca said...

Great post Amy. It's quite timely too. Our 10 year old daughter has just hit that transition period in her life from little girl to "tween". All of her friends (or so she says) listen to this new group, "One Direction". Let me add here that ALL of her friends are from Christian families. She has a little friend over today who is head over heels for this band. She's been to the concert, seen the movie, and sent in her video to the Disney Channel of her dancing to one of their songs in hopes to win some concert. Before Ansley went over to her house for the first time last week, she never mentioned this group to me before. Now today, right before this little girl was scheduled to come for a play date, Ansley asked to download the CD so they can dance and sing along to their music while she's here. So I said, well lets go look up the lyrics first. They are just like all the other teen groups out there. It all seems really innocent, but there's that gray line that our kids just don't see. I had to sit and explain to her while she cried that it's ok to the "the only one". I gave her the same little speech you so eloquently shared above. I am going to share this with them at dinner tonight. We are called to be set apart. You are so right. And even those of us who haven't committed to full-time missions (yet:) are still facing the situation you find yourselves in. It's so hard to be in the world and not of the world. Sometimes I find myself daydreaming about leaving it all behind and joining you all in Guatemala... Then I realize that running away from the world isn't the answer. It's everywhere you go. The battle is hard, but God is good and He is victorious. Keep your eyes on the prize that awaits you. Thinking of you and praying for you all today.
Blessings,
Rebecca

Laurel said...

Well said.

Keep preaching' Sister. :)

Hugs & Prayers,

Laurel

Intentional Living Homestead said...

Great post...and so very true. I struggle with this question. But I know for myself and between our family and God...that wherever we are called to give we do.

However, saying that....I know that I could do better. I know that I could sacrifice more and give more. And I guess getting caught up in every day life...we tend to be self-absorbed.

No excuses here...just the truth. For example. We are renovating our kitchen. Yet, while trying to keep everything as frugal as possible...money is being spent. Could it go some place else? For sure....having no kitchen for a length of time as afforded us more eating out...and therefore more spent on food.

So as life goes on for everyone and me included, we just really need to be in tune with where God is calling us/you/me to give. And every month our family does just that.

But great words to ponder Amy.

Thank you for sharing.

Blessed said...

Amy, I am so sorry that you struggle with feeling like people care. I want you to know your whole family is so beautiful--physically, yes, but your hearts. I blogged about you (and Lorraine) myself here.

I am praying that God raises you and your family up in strength and conviction of His good purpose for you, no matter what the rest of the world does in response to your obedience. I pray that He will be faithful to provide, and that He will show Himself present and at work in your ministry, and that He will be glorified in all that you do.

May I share a song with you this morning? This song has been in my heart for days, and since many of you blogger moms have been in my heart for days also, I am sharing it around today in case it is an encouragement: Desert Song, by Hillsong United

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship


with much love,

"blessed"

Designed with Purpose said...

I am new to your blog and already it has been a blessing to me. It is so hard sometimes to know what God's will is for your life. It is encouraging to see a family so blatantly living out theirs!

Michelle said...

I know this is an old post but still so powerful! My family and I have recently felt called to serve in Ghana and the process God took us through in mind and heart has changed so mich of our perception of things. It is incredibly frustrating to see the complacency of Christians in America. Today my 16 and 17 yr old daughters actually made me proud by sharing how frustrated and even angry they were that their Christian school is looking to put together donations for the kids that graduated last Spring, I suppose as encouragement for those who are in college. Its not wrong in and of itself, even loving but their point (and I agree) is that children are starving and dying and what are we as Christians doing with our wealth here in America?! Its nice to find other families on fire for Christ wanting to serve with their whole lives...it sometimes feels really lonely even among Believers