Tuesday, June 12

Leap of Faith



"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."

~ Oswald Chambers ~

Talk about culture shock! When my family and I arrived in Garrett County Maryland I felt God certainly made a huge mistake. How could a family from Northern Virginia, accustomed to millions of people, cars and houses, possibly minister to this laid back community 3,000 feet above sea level? As we traveled to candidate for the church I was praying and trying to convince God that He wasn't really calling us to this ministry! I was sure He was confused and thought we were someone else! However I knew the moment we pulled onto the church parking lot that this was going to be our new home. The next 5 1/2 years are history but the ministry proved to be many things for our family. For me it was a time of incredible spiritual growth and a great lesson that God can use anyone to do anything if we are obedient to His call, willing to step out of our comfort zone and exercise faith in Him.

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.
God has an awesome plan for each of our lives but many times we restrict His work when we demonstrate a lack of faith. We tend to place ourselves in a neat little box, become very comfortable and cozy with life and evaluate things using our own strengths and abilities as a gauge. This often brings discouragement because we are only capable of seeing the possible. Things that appear impossible create fear in us which causes us to reject the challenge God strategically places before us. When there is a lack of faith risk can be a very intimidating factor when making decisions.

When God placed a burden for youth ministry on my heart I was totally puzzled and scared to death! How could a former banking officer pastor a group of screaming teens whose character often resembled roller coaster emotions and raging hormones? I knew absolutely NOTHING about pastoring young people and brought zero experience in ministry to the table. My focus for the past 18 years had been my career. Yes, I was afraid to accept the challenge God was presenting me. I was anxious to remain in my little comfortable box while I attempted to figure out what it was that a full-time pastor's wife was supposed to do. But as I began to seek God's face for guidance and direction my heart became very heavy. God penetrated my heart with excitement, anticipation, enthusiasm, new ministry ideas and peace!

God definitely equips the called. When He begins to nudge our heart and whispers that it is time for us to step out of our comfort zone and do something for the Kingdom, He gives us everything we need to accomplish the task. I had no idea where God was going to lead me in this venture. This was a huge leap of faith for me. Looking back I can honestly say those were some of the most precious and rewarding years of my ministry. Several of the young men (including our son Brandon) are ministers. To think that maybe I played a small part in encouraging them to take a risk for Christ excites me. What if I would have ignored God's calling? What if I had refused to take that risk and remained in my small box? What if my faith would have wavered and I would have refused to accept God's challenge?
I love Him so much and am excited about what He continues to do in my life. I anxiously wait with anticipation as He continues to open new doors for me. God orchestrated the impossible early in my ministry. He desires to do that in each of our lives. Faith is a major component in our walk with Christ. Lack of faith will hinder the work God has called us to accomplish. I encourage you - be willing to take a risk, demonstrate faith in Him and watch God do the rest.

14 comments:

  1. [God definitely equips the called] When I look back on my life, I see so many of my life experiences that were molding me for what God was making me into. God didn't wait to equip me when I was called. My whole entire life was on-the-job training ~ I just didn't know it. And frankly, had I known what He was up to, I might have said no... :o(

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  2. I agree with you. Many of us most likely would have said no if we were fully aware of what God was planning to do!

    Blessings to you!

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  3. I liked your post. Isn't it wonderful when we trust and have faith in the Lord. I wrote about trusting the Lord through moves also.
    I like the title of your blog :)
    I will be back to visit and hope we can get to know each other better.

    May the Lord bless you this week and always.

    In his endless love,

    Angel ():)

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  4. What a great testimony to stepping out of our comfort zone. Bless you for sharing.

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  5. You sure have some great stories of stepping out in faith! Be blessed today.

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  6. Bless your faithful heart, great post.

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  7. What a great testimony of faith. I know I get settled in my comfort box too often. Thanks for the encouragement.

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  8. This was a great post....I know often that God calls and I don't believe that He is calling me in that direction...how could he possibly? He uses us in spite of us not because of us is what I am learning!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Blessings

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  9. I taught Sunday School for nine years and have dealt with many a teenager so I know just how you must have felt when God called you to youth ministry. Isn't is awesome that you answered the call and are now seeing the fruit of your labour?
    Thanks for sharing

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  10. Wow! I am so glad that I have just a few minutes to rummage through the "Tuesday Word writers" and found your blog! We share common ground! I was born and raised AG. Love God w/all my being. If it is ok, I will be adding your blog site to mine.
    God bless you big time!!

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  11. Boy, after reading a few of these posts, I feel like I may have missed the point entirely. :) Oh well...

    What a great testimony.

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  12. Not only does he equip the called, he doesn't take "no" for an answer, as I found out on numerous occasions. Great illustrations of the quote for this week.

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  13. Hi deborah~ I recently moved to NC to be closer to my family~ especially my mom. She moved here about 9 years ago...I decided to stay behind and begin my own life. i do not regret this at all but I am defintely glad to be here. In the past few years I feel like I have lost my closeness to God~ everyday I am trying to have that time with Him...I keep telling myself it may not be the same as it once was but it will be better. I found great encouragement visiting your space...thank you~

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  14. What a powerful post on this past week's IOW quote challenge.
    You are right - I have remained in my own little comfort zone far too long. It is scary first, but if you just trust Him, He will take of all the little details.
    I think it is awesome that your stepped out in faith and planted all these little seeds God as used for His glory :)

    Thank you again for sharing your thoughts this week with us.

    Blessings to you and yours.

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