God's timing is always perfect! We see that time and time again in Scripture and I'm sure you've seen it in your lives as well. We saw (and are seeing) it with my husband's company. We are seeing it with the adoption process. His timing is best!
So when I read Galatians 1:15 and a commentary from Beth Moore, it made me think about my life and the lives of those I know and don't know.
Galatians 1:15, "But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace..."
To me, that is something to be noted and it was so beautiful to read. How many of us think, "What does God have for my life?" or "When will I "arrive" at where God wants me|?"
I know it may be easy to look back and tell yourself that you've missed the train that boarded for your destination - but that's not true! Or maybe you did somewhere along the way, but that doesn't mean you're washed up and can no longer board a new train to the same destination God had for you years ago or a new destination God has for you. Get on board and ask God, "Where would you have me go? What is my signature ministry? What do you want me to be doing?"
That will look different for all of us, but rest assured, God does have a plan for your life! For some, it may look like missions, for some, raising up Christ-centered, Biblically-minded, sold out believers, and for others, that may mean working in the work place to be a witness to those around you.
That's how my mother came to know God. One lone man would bring his Bible to lunch and began witnessing to my mother. After a year, he invited her to church and she gave her life to God. As a result of his ministering, I too, went to church that day and also gave my life to God, my father followed suit, and as a result, I'm raising (with my husband) Christ-centered, Biblically-minded believers! This is a part of my signature ministry!
You are never too young and you are never too old. Press into the things of God and ask Him to reveal His plan.
Acts 13:3, "Then, after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off."
If you really feel you do not know what your God-ordained blueprints are for your life, begin with some time on your knees before the Lord. Cry out to Him and ask Him to reveal His plan for your life. Then, fast. Take a day, or a specific meal, to fast. While you're fasting, use that time to be on your knees before the God of all creation and say a quick prayer asking Him to reveal His plan to you, then sit and wait. Listen! "Be still and know I am God!" (Psalm 46:10) Try to remember, God usually doesn't reveal the whole plan to us either. He may only reveal the next step to you.
Again, with my husband's job, we both had prayed for 4 months about the move to DC. We didn't feel like we heard anything, but we had peace about it. So, he accepted the job down there. Then, our house didn't sell. So the kids and I had to move back to our home we had left. That put our family in a position of being separated for two years, only seeing each other on the weekends.
Did we not hear from God? Had we missed the mark on this one? Someone had questioned us, "So, do you still feel this was God's plan for your lives or do you feel you did not really hear that from God?"
Not at all.
God had only revealed the part of the plan that Jason was to accept the job in DC. We didn't need to know the rest. We only needed to know that part. We can see many reasons why we were supposed to stay put in our home now though - reasons why our house didn't sell. Jason was able to start up his business. I was able to start up a chapter of a non-profit organization and began getting very involved in abolishing human trafficking. I was able to help start up a home school co-op and meet a lot more home schooling families. And we are seeing it evidenced through the current adoption situation.
We were meant to be exactly where we are because God had a plan. He didn't reveal ALL of that plan to us 5 years ago when we were praying if we should accept the job in DC. He just revealed the plan that he was to accept it.
I want to encourage you, Fully Surrendering and being IN the will of God will often times set you up for others to come in and judge your life. Being in the will of God makes people uncomfortable with their own lives and they will begin to question you on your life. Stand strong!
Galatians 1:10, "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ"
Prior to making any major decisions, it's always best to get Godly counsel. Jason and I rarely ever do anything major without getting the counsel of our pastor. So, with prayer, fasting, the laying on of hands, and the counsel and support of your pastor, trust what God has laid before you. Trust that God has spoken to your innermost being and walk boldly in your signature ministry.
So when I read Galatians 1:15 and a commentary from Beth Moore, it made me think about my life and the lives of those I know and don't know.
Galatians 1:15, "But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace..."
"The apostle Paul was born around AD 10. He did not receive salvation until around AD 36. He was not set apart for his signature ministry until around AD 46. Not one minute was wasted." ~ Beth Moore
To me, that is something to be noted and it was so beautiful to read. How many of us think, "What does God have for my life?" or "When will I "arrive" at where God wants me|?"
I know it may be easy to look back and tell yourself that you've missed the train that boarded for your destination - but that's not true! Or maybe you did somewhere along the way, but that doesn't mean you're washed up and can no longer board a new train to the same destination God had for you years ago or a new destination God has for you. Get on board and ask God, "Where would you have me go? What is my signature ministry? What do you want me to be doing?"
That will look different for all of us, but rest assured, God does have a plan for your life! For some, it may look like missions, for some, raising up Christ-centered, Biblically-minded, sold out believers, and for others, that may mean working in the work place to be a witness to those around you.
That's how my mother came to know God. One lone man would bring his Bible to lunch and began witnessing to my mother. After a year, he invited her to church and she gave her life to God. As a result of his ministering, I too, went to church that day and also gave my life to God, my father followed suit, and as a result, I'm raising (with my husband) Christ-centered, Biblically-minded believers! This is a part of my signature ministry!
You are never too young and you are never too old. Press into the things of God and ask Him to reveal His plan.
Acts 13:3, "Then, after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off."
If you really feel you do not know what your God-ordained blueprints are for your life, begin with some time on your knees before the Lord. Cry out to Him and ask Him to reveal His plan for your life. Then, fast. Take a day, or a specific meal, to fast. While you're fasting, use that time to be on your knees before the God of all creation and say a quick prayer asking Him to reveal His plan to you, then sit and wait. Listen! "Be still and know I am God!" (Psalm 46:10) Try to remember, God usually doesn't reveal the whole plan to us either. He may only reveal the next step to you.
Again, with my husband's job, we both had prayed for 4 months about the move to DC. We didn't feel like we heard anything, but we had peace about it. So, he accepted the job down there. Then, our house didn't sell. So the kids and I had to move back to our home we had left. That put our family in a position of being separated for two years, only seeing each other on the weekends.
Did we not hear from God? Had we missed the mark on this one? Someone had questioned us, "So, do you still feel this was God's plan for your lives or do you feel you did not really hear that from God?"
Not at all.
God had only revealed the part of the plan that Jason was to accept the job in DC. We didn't need to know the rest. We only needed to know that part. We can see many reasons why we were supposed to stay put in our home now though - reasons why our house didn't sell. Jason was able to start up his business. I was able to start up a chapter of a non-profit organization and began getting very involved in abolishing human trafficking. I was able to help start up a home school co-op and meet a lot more home schooling families. And we are seeing it evidenced through the current adoption situation.
We were meant to be exactly where we are because God had a plan. He didn't reveal ALL of that plan to us 5 years ago when we were praying if we should accept the job in DC. He just revealed the plan that he was to accept it.
I want to encourage you, Fully Surrendering and being IN the will of God will often times set you up for others to come in and judge your life. Being in the will of God makes people uncomfortable with their own lives and they will begin to question you on your life. Stand strong!
Galatians 1:10, "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ"
Prior to making any major decisions, it's always best to get Godly counsel. Jason and I rarely ever do anything major without getting the counsel of our pastor. So, with prayer, fasting, the laying on of hands, and the counsel and support of your pastor, trust what God has laid before you. Trust that God has spoken to your innermost being and walk boldly in your signature ministry.
"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." ~ E. M. Forster
