Life can be a crazy stream of ebbs and flows. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the move of the water, and not pay attention to the details. Today, I am paying attention. The past few months have been a season of changes. God has prepared me for them in every way. It is truly amazing to see how He dictates those changes.
Two months ago I left for Peru. It was the mission trip I have gone on in five years. I honestly didn't know what to expect. God had made it clear this was something I needed to do. I didn't know why, but he ironed out the details that allowed me to go. For instance, I was downsized at the end of last year. Had I not been downsized, I wouldn't have been able to plan to take two weeks off in July to even think about going. Yet, I did. God put that in my heart. He also, then allowed me to start a new job (which also allowed me to buy my first home) in which I could tell them about pre-arranged plans. God worked it out. The question is why? Why did I need to go so badly?
Honestly - that answer is still coming. I do know this - It changed my life. I have been overseas before, and being there actually felt at home, because in many ways it was like being in Brazil again. I loved it, yet God has put a hold on me going back. That's not for me right now. He didn't send me there necessarily for the burden of the people, but more so the ability to be willing and obey. I obeyed the command to go and have been abundantly blessed. The friendships that have grown from that trip have been tremendous. The people I went with have become an extended family, when I was not expecting that. God has placed examples of Godly parents, Godly marriages, and Godly friendships in my life with each person there. He also has shown me the importance of saying Yes to what He asks.
I can't tell you how many times I have probably questioned why, or hesitated when God said do this or go there. How many times have I missed His blessings because I didn't want to do it, it would hinder me. Following God's lead is never easy, yet it is always amazing.
Within the last four weeks God has truly amazed me. I hadn't been happy with my work arrangements, but was content that I had a job. If God wanted me to continue there, I would do it. Yet, I prayed for one opportunity and only one opportunity to show up. I also had several friends praying. Well - I applied for one position. As soon as I did that, the gates opened up. 5 different opportunities opened up. 3 of them involved moving, which I didn't want to do, but at the same time it was God saying - You asked and I provided an over abundance. I love you more than you can imagine. You will only have one answer and it will come from me, but you need to know the blessings I can pour out on you. To say the least - I start a new job tomorrow. It is not the job that made the most money, or had the best benefits. It is the job God lead me to for some reason or another. I may never know why, He may show me abundantly why. I can't be concerned with the reasons of why behind it though. That is not our job. Our job is to be thankful for the opportunity, to accept the blessing and to obey his will for our lives. Where He guides, we must follow. Life when you don't, hurts.
Today, I was talking with a friend about the amazing experiences God has done in her life and that of her family, as well as in my life. She phrased it beautifully (this is probably a very poor summary of it) by saying that God's journey in our lives is better than the most amazing Roller Coaster ride you will ever ride. You go up and down, turn by turn, never really knowing what's next or what direction you are facing, but exhilarated all the same. When you are done and step off, you can't help but say - That ROCKED! God's journey rocks better than that...He maps it together, one turn might meet the next, you might go up and down, your stomach might be in your chest, you may get shaken back and forth a few times, but in the end you land next to Him and it is the most exciting adventure you will ever see. In the end, you can look back and see each turn, and know what came from that. God's design is beautiful and amazing, by far the best experience we will ever have.
