Two of the verses I read this morning seem so perfectly suited to my current situation. Here’s the first:
[God] set me apart from my mother’s womb … called me by his grace [and] was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the [women]. (Galatians 1: 15- 16a NIV)
Of course, this is Paul speaking of his call to the Gentiles. But I feel just as strongly that from before I was born, God set me apart to my new position – to lead an organization that evangelizes women.
I am sometimes STUNNED, I tell you, STUNNED, to see how God has prepared me even from my earliest years for this calling.
I get chills on occasion. I get tears on occasion. I am in shock most of the time.
And the best part is that I am so sure of God’s calling that I have very little fear moving forward. I know He has a plan for this ministry and I simply have to listen and walk. He provides the wisdom, strength, and direction. He provides the way.
It’s almost like I get to sit back and watch the plan unfold. Yay God!!
And then there were those dark years – that some of you, dear readers, have walked with me through by reading my posts, praying, and leaving encouragement comments. Thank you!
In the middle of the “dusky hour” of my soul, I remember resigning myself to my life and deciding to just “do it,” just keep investing in my relationship with God no matter how I felt (even when it felt unreal) and just keep walking the only way I knew how – in obedience to principles I’d inculcated for most of my life (even when it felt like just a good way to live, not necessarily a God way to live).
In the second passage that struck me, Hezekiah’s words (as he begged for God to extend his life), well summarize what that dark period did for me – what God did for me!
I will walk humbly all my years
because of [the] anguish of my soul.
Surely it was for my benefit
that I suffered such anguish.
In your love you kept me
from the pit of destruction;
you have put all my sins
behind your back. (Isaiah 38:15b, 17 NIV)
In His love, God used the dark period to humble me, to refine me – to prepare me for this calling. He showed me my sins (and there were a few biggies – like thinking I could control God…), then He put them behind His back.
To quote Paul once more:
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11: 22-26 NIV
Today’s Readings: Isaiah 37:1-38:22, Psalm 109:16-20, Proverbs 26:1, Galatians 1:1-24. See About for what I’m up to with these daily posts. Your daily blogger, Holiday Longing (Reproduce with permission only)
