It is simply amazing how God will tell us what we need to hear at just the moment we need to hear it. It isn't a surprise, but it constantly blows me away when He does it!
God made my calling to ministry clear over the summer, and He used many people to confirm that. And since then, I've said "God, if any door opens, I'm walking through it." So, I got more involved and it's been incredible. Then another opportunity seemed to open up, and I jumped at it. I really wanted it to work out, but so far, it hasn't. And I got down about it. Last Wednesday, I was really struggling with that. As if that was the only opportunity I would ever have!
I think I just wanted that to work out so I wouldn't have to tell people, "God called me to ministry," and when they ask me what field, I say "Not sure yet, wherever God opens the door." That gets a little tiring. So anyway, I'm sitting there feeling sorry for myself. I finish doing my ministry stuff and I start talking to some one who I don't spend much time around or know that closely, and God just uses him to confirm my calling, to show me I'm on the right path, and I just have to be patient.
Then, Sunday, I had an interview at the Apple store. What a cool job that would be. But it isn't ministry, and I'm just wondering why God would seemingly open that door. But it would pay the bills. So, I start waiting to hear back about that. Then, God paves the way for me to go to the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta! Then, I hear today that the Apple store thing isn't going to happen. Now, I actually felt okay about that. I know God wants me to do ministry, so I'm cool with not working another retail job. But part of me was upset because I've never interviewed for a job that I haven't gotten. That sounded really cocky, but it's all because of God's provision that I got those jobs. So anyway, I'm thinking, "why wasn't I good enough?"
(Almost done) So then, I'm reading my Bible today, and I'm in Philippians 3. And from verse 1 to verse 11, Paul talks about our confidence in the flesh and how he has so many reasons to put confidence in his accomplishments and abilities, and how he counted all of them as rubbish compared to Christ. Not a coincidence. What a freeing moment this morning where I could truly let go of those thoughts and just know that God has something huge planned for me!
Sorry this was so long, but it's been a while since I've updated. I'm off to Catalyst this evening and I just know based on the events of the last couple of days that God has something to say to me there. I covet your prayers and I can't wait to write about what God speaks to me in Atlanta!
Until then, many blessings,
Champy ><>
