And the challenge remains...

Engage the world. That’s what God has told me (and you, actually).

I’ve always been interested in helping people come to know Jesus MORE. I like to help them go deep. I bought onto the vision of presenting the gospel to every man, woman, and child a long time ago- but I thought it was someone else’s job. And God’s been working in my heart to change that. In the Emergency Room the other night I was alone with one of my doctors. He asked me what I did… trying to make me feel less uncomfortable, I’m sure. It was fun to be able to have a conversation with someone that didn’t already know I worked at a church and didn’t try to say the ‘right thing’.

I left that night after a 20 minute conversation realizing how much I missed that. In college I was surrounded by people that needed Jesus. Now I work with strong Christians. I live with them. I hang out with them. And it’s great…. I wouldn’t trade an ounce of that for anything!! But how can I call the people I lead to reach every man, woman, and child- when I’m not even trying?

I’m reading through the book of Hosea and as he describes wayward Israel and God’s judgment on them, I can’t help but think about every man, woman, and child in Southwest Florida that need to hear about Jesus. So I’ve asked God what I’m to do in order to have opportunities to engage people…

Should I get a part time job?
Should I find a new hobby?
Should I volunteer somewhere?
Should I look for a (non-ministry) career?

It scared me to even ask the last question. Even though I believe God has called me into full time ministry and I would never want to leave Summit- I don’t want to look back 5 or 10 years from now and realize that God didn’t want me in a ministry position yet but I was too afraid to step out of my comfort zone and look to the right and left to see what God had for me, so I stayed. And so I have to ask, God what do you want?

…Because I’m committed to that. So I’m looking right and I’m looking left.

So far God has told me… look into things. Write them all down and know I’m in control.

So over the next month I’ll be listening to God. I’m going to take an intentional “sabbatical weekend” (at my parent’s beach house, yay!) at the beginning of April where I can spend a ton of time alone with God. I’m excited. I know God is doing something big in my heart and in my life. So, pray for me to listen to the only ONE that can truly direct my steps.

God, I pray that you would delight in my ways and make my steps firm. Psalm 37:23

(also, don't edit these.... sorry!)

God speaks...

I’ve been waiting on God for my next step for months. I’ve been anxious for guidance from God for a while. And as I’ve sought, experienced and gotten to know God more- all I’ve heard is “Wait. Be patient. And trust me.”

And so I decided to.

The past two weeks I’ve felt like God has told me to listen up. My initial thought was that God was going to help me figure out my role in our college ministry. I’ve felt ineffective lately and have wrestled with God to try to figure out my role there. I disciple six girls…. but out of 10,000 students at FGCU- it’s nothing. It’s been a weird transition from a college student to an adult that helps lead the ministry. When did I become the grown up that shows up on a Tuesday night? YUCK.

This weekend I got to hang out with a bunch of college students and I didn’t feel terribly old. They were great to serve and hang out with. We spent the weekend at Give Kids the World. It’s a place for children with life threatening diseases to come with their family and enjoy a week at some of the most magical places on earth! This place is phenomenal. They serve these families like you can’t even imagine. Everything is free from transportation, to Disney, to snacks. It’s all free and at their fingertips.

We did everything from putting on princess make-up and running a carousel to serving lunch to 150landscapers. It was fun to get to interact with the families though. Before I got there I thought it would be an emotional experience and that I would be consumed with tears at most points of the day. But instead of feeling sad I felt charged. Instead of crying I would bend down and look those little kids in the eyes and engage them in conversation. I’d spend my time just talking to them about silly things like Disney.

I asked one little girl if she had been to Disney yet. She quickly informed me she was going the next day. So of course I asked her what she was most excited to see. Her response was, “Well I don’t know. I’ve never been there so I don’t know what they have.” I told her she would probably see all the princesses. She instantly smiled and told me that Cinderella was her favorite. When I told her that Cinderella’s castle was at Disney her mouth dropped open. It was as if I had just given her the best news she had ever heard. I had so many things I could talk to her about because I had been to Disney and experienced it for myself. We talked for a long time while I made her hot chocolate.

I left Give Kids the World realizing something. I went out of my comfort zone to engage those kids because they were sick. Because I knew they needed to feel loved and special. And the honest truth is- because I knew most of them were dying. It caused me to respond differently. God reminded me that every day I’m surrounded by ‘sick’ people. They might not have a physical disease but spiritually they are dying. And I’m called to walk out of my comfort zone and engage them the same way I engaged those little kids. I’ve experienced Jesus Christ. I’ve got stories to tell that would make people stand in awe just like that little girl did when I talked about Cinderella’s castle. So what am I doing? How am I engaging the world?

And that’s when God began to speak a little vision into my next few steps. But that’s for tomorrow’s blog.

Dare I blog two days in a row?!