Make a sacrafice.
God will ask you to do something that makes no sense at all.
That is what sticks with me from Sunday's sermon. Oh preach it Steve, this one is for me (as Tracy D. nudges me on the shoulder confirming just that). As if the events of the last month were not confirmation enough. Let me share them with you.
I failed to mention one very strange vision I had back when Kandis and I first met. We were attending church together and I was listening intently to the pastor. In a moment I saw my very own face on the shoulders of that pastor. I blinked my eyes but my head was still there on her shoulders preaching. I turned away and told Kandis about this. Weird! But I knew it was a sign. I'd been told in the past that I had the 'heart of a pastor' but that's not really what I wanted to hear. I would have been more comfortable hearing 'counselor, missionary, teacher'. Anyhow, that point is important as we journey forth.
God will ask you to do something that makes no sense at all.
That is what sticks with me from Sunday's sermon. Oh preach it Steve, this one is for me (as Tracy D. nudges me on the shoulder confirming just that). As if the events of the last month were not confirmation enough. Let me share them with you.
I failed to mention one very strange vision I had back when Kandis and I first met. We were attending church together and I was listening intently to the pastor. In a moment I saw my very own face on the shoulders of that pastor. I blinked my eyes but my head was still there on her shoulders preaching. I turned away and told Kandis about this. Weird! But I knew it was a sign. I'd been told in the past that I had the 'heart of a pastor' but that's not really what I wanted to hear. I would have been more comfortable hearing 'counselor, missionary, teacher'. Anyhow, that point is important as we journey forth.
Our family was fortunate enough to spend the weekend with CUC at LaForet in August. I wasn't sure what to expect now with a 2 year old in tow. But I planned to have lots of Jaida time and expected a good amount of fellowship as well. As the weekend passed I wondered if God had anything for me, any sign, any message, any inspiration but nothing came.
Just before we left La Foret Jaida insisted she say goodbye to her godparents, Denny and Joyce. As we sat down with a group of Monday ITL people Andrea was discussing her topic for the following night. Her topic was faithfulness and she did not want it to be confused with faith. She wanted to discuss faith in action. One of the questions that came out of the intense discussion was “would you be willing to go if God called you?” I sat and listened. Though exhausted Monday night we attended ITL. That question lingered in my mind. Tuesday morning on the way to work I turned on Klove. I had not done this in many, many months. About half way to work I spoke aloud "God, why can't I spend my life doing your work? I want to make a difference in this world"? I instantly heard God respond with a gigle, “Oh Cheryl, I have shown you.” I thought to myself, boy did Andrea open up an old can of worms.
For 25 years I have felt God calling me into ministry. Infact, if I'm completely honest what I do know is that God has been calling me to seminary. Of course, those are not the things I want to hear. How about working for a non-profit, becoming a Christian counselor, even missionary work? Why a pastor? UG! Well, I posted something interesting on FB about Andrea and her darn discussion because it truly opened wide God's call. The same night a friend sent some strange FB application and I thought I'd try it out for the heck of it. It was common, mundane, silly - perhaps life a fortune cookie - I did it anyway and this is what it said.
8/25/09 On this day of your life, Cheryl, we believe God wants you to know that He has an important purpose for you, and made everything possible for you to succeed. That's not to say it's an easy purpose, or a convenient one. It might very well seem hard or even impossible, but it only looks that way. The truth is that one day you will look back and see how all the pieces fit together.
Ok WHATEVER! The hits just keep on comin'! A few night later I was skimming through files on my computer of notes, bible studies and messages that I had prepared in the past. One file was titled 'Words.' I forgot that I ever documented this stuff and just smiled when I read them. Mind you, two of them have absolutely no history behind them - I'd never met those people before in my life. Peggy Campolo, wife of Evangelist Tony Campolo at Open Door Community Church Annual Conference Oct 2003. “You have a voice. The spirit of God is upon you.” Marvin Matthews, Grammy award singer/songwriter at the Open Door Community Church Annual Conference Oct 2004. “I sense the presence of God in you. You are anointed. You must speak with the tongue of a writer. What you have to say is very important. You are anointed. Walk in authority.” He turned to Kandis and said “You must nurture her.” Rebecca Kemper-Poos, Associate Pastor CUC 2006 - “I have seen a centered and deep spirituality in you and agree that you are called to ministry – that’s why I asked you to lead ITL that night.”
Ok so when it rains it poors. When ye of little faith ask for more signs and confirmation ye shall receive. :) When I heard God speaking to me after La Foret I knew that this time was different. I knew that I could no longer ignore his call and that He was moving swiftly in my life.
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