Wow. God has been showing up and showing off lately and I am simply in awe!
I am so very thankful He chooses to use me in spite of myself. I am stubborn, I am overly cautious, I prefer safety over risk. I prefer calm and peace as opposed to turmoil and trouble. As believers, we are to imitate Christ, and He was a peacemaker, right? Besides, blessed are the peacemakers, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, right?!
After a day with a new-found friend, where our divine appointment became so evident, I was just allowing the spirit flow and work in and through me. My friend pointed out someone who was apparently in need in the parking lot (yet I was not feeling the push to help--which is strange for me.) However, I honestly believe it was for my friend. She mentioned it and I was like, "Sure! Let's go!" Of course, it happened to be someone in need of a quick jump for the car to get started again (This is where I'm thankful for the hard roads that I've been down in life which may or may not have been required by my parents; experience really is a great teacher).
We asked about helping and the person was hesitant, stating that they had someone on the way to help them out. I inquired, asking if they were sure, because I had what was needed and knew how to assist. After just a few moments and educating those around, her car was up and running. She asked if we would take some money for our assistance, and I strongly declined, but this is when something was nudging me to ask if I could pray for her. She said, "Absolutely." I asked her if there was anything specific I could pray for and she began to cry so hard and couldn't speak.
My friend and I prayed right then and there for the situation of this woman's home to be sold so she can be where she felt the Lord was leading her. I left her with a contact of a realtor, should she need another for any reason. While my friend and I may never know the outcome of this woman's house being sold or relocation of her family, I know we were obedient to the spirit's prompting and made a difference in the world for one person. This is what life is about.
It was time for my friend and I to go our separate ways. I went to the place I felt God is leading me to return to again and again. We met for prayer, and he gave me a few pieces of scripture. I was asking for answers as to how I will be able to be all that He needs me to be where He needs me to be. I already feel the opposition of getting involved due to people misunderstanding me, but I know my motives are of the Lord. I silently cried out from my heart to God and He, as always, provided.
He led me to Psalm 18: 31-36
The verses that really spoke to my spirit were vs. 35 and 36. "You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip."
This has been so true and I'm so thankful. I sensed the Lord saying to me, "your gentleness is what will get you to be where you feel me leading you. Remain gentle."
I heard His voice loud and clear, but I didn't know exactly why He provided that specific scripture. I just thanked Him for direction yet again, even while I do not fully know specific actions I am to take.
On my way home from the meeting, I sense the prompting to offer my place as a home for my new friend, not knowing why or any specifics, it was clear what I was to offer. The Lord impressed on my heart, "Don't ask for an amount, just tell her whatever she is able to do, is what you will accept." I trust the Lord and extended the offer and details to my friend before I ever made it all the way home.
Her response made me smile, and it was so clear how God was working and moving. She called me to let me know how God revealed himself to her. It was a great conversation, and we both clearly knew it was of God. We are both praying about it, to seek God's direction although we are pretty certain already, what God has provided for us both. I have just been so very thankful.
At night, to get to sleep, I like to listen to various sermons through apps on my phone. It has become quite the routine and I truly feel it has helped me grow so much in the Lord. While I don't recall any specific message, God provided through that message other scripture that He's brought to my heart and mind recently, just confirming that He is undoubtedly working and making His presence known in my life.
This morning, I turn to my devotion and read about the character of God. While it is a scripture I am very familiar with, I didn't always see it.
Here I am looking in the face the same words of being gentle. This excerpt was written by a pastor who has studied scripture for many years. He began with saying he has never seen Jesus describe himself in any other place, or way except for here. He says, "for I am gentle and humble in heart..." He goes on to mention that he finds it "extremely significant that when Jesus lifts the veil of silence and once for all gives us a glimpse of Himself, the real stuff of His inner person, He uses gentle and humble. When we read that God the Father is committed to forming us to the image of His Son, qualities such as these are what He wants to see emerge." (Insight for Today from Chuck Swindoll)
I was having my own individual church service on my way to my appointment this morning, driving in thankful praise that God wants to refine even the smallest bits of my character to make me more like Him. I am thankful God uses me and that He's given me a purpose to help widows in my life. It's a bit of a ministry of which I know God has given me this purpose to fulfill in my singleness stage of life. The availability God allows me to have in this time, He always provides a widow to whom I can minister.
This, however, is actually what He calls all of us to do from James 1: 27:
"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."
In the past two days and actually, over the course of the past couple of months, God has really shown Himself to me in my walk and through His Word. I have such a hunger for Him unlike before and I hope it never goes away. My strength is renewed and my fervor is too. It's as if I can't thank God enough for how He changed and is changing my life; to which I am thankful I have all eternity to give Him the praise He deserves--yet it still will not ever be enough!
