I am a child of God, a dirty dank sheep that has been cleaned anew by his blood, love, and grace.
He has burdened and widened my heart for his people around the world.
He has taught and shown me I am a missionary wherever He has placed me.
He has called me to ministry to other through my nursing care and relationships.
I am continuing to learn who He is...I AM, the Protector, Jealous God, Savior, Slow to Anger, Lord, Son of God, Father, Husband, Place of Refuge, Sacrificial Lamb...the list will forever go on for eternity as he continues to reveal himself to us.
God calling me to move to Swaziland Africa feel as doable as if He would ask me to walk on water, something that is entirely impossible for me to do...I can't even fake it.
Isn't that the point?I am learning to trust in the I AM. God has not called us to this life to do it alone, in fact He know we (the Body of Christ) can't really LIVE without Him. Oh for a short time I can sometimes fake it in life but am I really fooling anyone? For that matter do I think that I'm fooling the One who knows all?
God calls us to depend on Him is all things...small and big.When looking at how to trust in the I AM,
Matthew 14:22-33 (Amplified Bible) comes to mind when Jesus and Peter have a little water walking lesson. First things first, if you want to walk on the water you have to get out of the boat...someone should write a book on that! Oh wait...they did ;)
Matthew 14:26-29 says:
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright. 27 But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid! 28 And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. 29 He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus.
Right now Africa looms half a continent away, oceans away...and He is asking me to walk on the water. My initial response to His call has been, "Yes! Send me! I trust in the I AM! Send me to Africa!" Just as Peter did when they were out on the sea. But just as Peter who was walking toward Jesus got overwhelmed by the waves so have I...
30 But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]!
As the towering waves of fund raising threaten to crash on me...
the whipping, whirling winds of anxiety and preparedness tonsil my hair and pull at my clothes...
and as the deep, dark water of medical knowledge and readiness lap at my ankles wetting my legs and face as I walk...
I become frightened and begin to sink no longer walking in the Truth of the I AM.
31 Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
LORD SAVE ME FROM DEATH! SAVE ME FROM MY ANXIETY AND FROM THOSE WHO WOULD WANT TO HARM ME! TEACH ME TO BATTLE MY FLESH! SHOW ME HOW TO FIGHT AGAINST SPIRITUAL DARKNESS!
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob reaches down and brings me to the surface as He holds me in His rock solid embrace. The threatening waves still loom, the wind whips back and forth, and the water dept frightens me still but I am now resting in God's eternal truth and enfolded in the presence of my loving Father.
Lord may we continue to surrender our lives to You more and more. May we learn to fully trust and depend on You in all things.
