Winds of Change

"You cannot control the wind, but you can adjust your sails to get to where God has called you." Pastor Woody

God rocked my face off on the way to work this morning!!! It is so amazing what He has been speaking to me. Not only that but how evident He is making it. I had struggled for so long wondering what it was like to hear from God. Well I am experiencing it and whoa, I love it.

In the summer of 2008, while I was in Montana, I felt God call me to missions. I wasn't sure what that was supposed to look like, but I had a feeling it would be tied to Four Winds in some way. The quote above was actually written in a Bible in their chapel. When I spoke with Pastor Woody about it he told me he had written it years ago but he knew it was for me. I was going to widen my tent stakes and do great things. Then I went off the handle and tried to take over (like I always do) and God put on the skids. Not now, not yet, just wait, be patient. Patience, no thank you, I don't enjoy that just let me take this and run with it. No, God said, you must learn this lesson.

So many things have happened as of late that I can no longer wait. I feel that it is time to make a change. I was starting to feel like I was just making much of nothing. Maybe God was just telling me that the mission work I was doing with the church was all I needed to do. Then God started putting things together for me. Whether it be through scripture reading, sermons, fellow followers, other reading, etc. He is telling me it is time!!!

This morning I was listening to the radio and there was a lady on there talking about how God had laid something on her heart. She was saying that she just couldn't get away from the idea. Even though it was not anything she was familiar with or knew anything about. Then she was moving a dresser and found a book she had purchased 4 years earlier. She mentioned how odd that was because she would read her books as soon as she got them. She just flipped to a page and it was on the exact thing God was telling her to do. No other area of the book had any reference to this topic. What was the book you ask? Don't Waste Your Life by Piper. My breathe caught in my throat, chills all over my body, and tears streaming down my face. How many times has that book come up in conversation with me and my friends? How about that was and is the next book in my reading!!!

Last summer when God told me to go and buy painting and jewelry making supplies I thought, "Well I can't draw a stick man and the only jewelry I have ever made was crafts at camp, but if You say so." I didn't really know what would happen. Well nothing has happened really. I mean I have sold a few pieces here and there. I have made the money back that I spent on the materials, but nothing earth shattering. The closer I get to my mission trips for the summer the stronger my pull to make a change has become. And God is opening doors. I have 2 festivals that I will take my art to sell. We shall see what God has in store for those days. I am trusting in Him 100%. I will go where He sends me!!! I will do what is required.

Also, I think it was no accident that I got to become great friends with Patrick and his family. I feel that God is calling me to be a part of his ministry in Africa. I don't know what that will look like just yet, but I am trusting the Lord. I feel that God is leading me to complete my degree in counseling in a shorter time frame so that those talents can be used in different areas of missions.

We shall see. Please pray that I will remain obedient (even though most are doubtful I will succeed). I want nothing more than to live each day to the fullest extent of God's glory in whatever way He sees fit.

Praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the DEAD!!!!