Stepping into the Unknown

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance.  And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8

On May 23^rd, 2012, the Lord completed my time at Calvary Chapel Adelanto/Victor Valley and now has a new beginning for me.  I ask that you pray for me as I begin this new journey and step out in faith not knowing where I’m going.  My faith is knowing that just as God’s presence moved in the cloud by day and the fire by night with the children of Israel following, so I realize that as God goes before me I will follow, knowing that I will never arrive at a place where God has not first preceded and prepared just for me. 

As I look back over these past 7 ½ years of serving at Calvary Chapel Adelanto/Victor Valley the best way to sum it up would be seeing it as boot camp – for this is where I got intensely trained.  In the spiritual sense I had muscles stretched, exercised, and formed that I never knew existed.  There has been blood (from several paper cuts ;) ), sweat, and tears put into this training time.  When I started there on August 12, 2004 with the expectation of full time ministry, little did I understand that as a child of God and follower of Jesus Christ that full time ministry began the moment I surrendered my life to Him.  Because, when Jesus calls someone to surrender to Him by leaving their old life, He then bids them to come and follow Him and from that point our lives are to be full time ministry.  My problem was I was given the perception that full time ministry was dedicating your life working at church – this perception was so wrong.  You see, God calls you and me no matter where we’re at or what we’re doing to be busy about in “full time ministry” of living out the gospel – the Good News – of Jesus Christ.  Are you a stay at home wife and mother?  You’re in full time ministry.  Are you on duty in the military?  You’re in full time ministry.  Are you in prison?  You’re in full time ministry.  Are you a worker at Wal-mart?  You’re in full time ministry.  Are you a police officer?  You’re in full time ministry.  Are you a student in school?  You’re in full time ministry.  Are you retired? You’re in full time ministry.  Are you confined to bed with sickness?  You’re in full time ministry.  Are you elderly?  You’re in full time ministry.  Are you single?  You’re in full time ministry.  Wherever you’re at, whatever circumstances you find yourself in DO NOT dictate who you are in Christ and the life of ministry He’s called you to live for Him.  I’m going to go one step further…your identity can’t even be found in ministry – your identity has to be found in Christ alone.  So, with that said, I’m letting everyone know that I’m not walking away from ministry but I’m continuing on with my ministry.

It says in Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” I’m here to testify to all of you that God is very real.  Just in the past couple of years in the midst of my grandpa drowning in my swimming pool; to my grandma passing a year and a half later; to being robbed; to going through a loss of relationship; to now losing my job - He has proven to be there with me every step of the way and has showed me that even with these people and things taken away from me that He is still everything.  I have judged Him faithful in every circumstance I’ve had to endure and I believe that He will continue to be faithful.  Everything is ordered by Him and even though I don’t understand why He allows some things to happen, I must say it is well with my soul knowing that He is full control.  I’m not going to lie - I get terrified sometimes and overwhelmed with the unknown…yes, people I’m human!  I can easily chant “I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful!  I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful!” and then moments later feel so crazy overwhelmed in my head that I want to drive myself to the hospital and get pumped up with drugs just so I can stop thinking.  In moments like this I must “run with endurance the race that is set before (me), LOOKING UNTO JESUS, the author and finisher of (my) faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).  Just the thought alone of Jesus sitting this very moment next to God interceding for me brings so much comfort!  I also have to thank all of you who have already been flooding heaven with prayers for me – I am in awe of your love and support.

To the One who alone is wise, all-knowing, and perfect in all His ways, my life is completely surrendered to His plan and I turn my eyes forward, walking hand in hand with Jesus as I step into the unknown.