The faithfulness of the Lord is something that I will never cease to be amazed by.
It's been just over a year since I started my last school, Phase II, with YWAM Denver. I had no idea at the time what God had in mind, what He was preparing me for down the road or where He'd be leading me at the end of those 3 sweet and beautiful months. I am learning, yet again, that when you expect Jesus you don't leave disappointed. Hallelujah. During those 3 months God laid so many wonderful and challenging things on my heart to do, He reminded me of my dreams and desires and gave me new ones as well. He challenged me as an individual to step into my calling to lead and challenge others to seek His face through whatever means possible. Many of the teachers who came through that school encouraged us to dream bigger and pursue the impossible, knowing that it can be made possible with God by our side. They provoked us to consider what was important to us and why and caused us to see and understand that that was also important to God. Knowing that the little or big issues that are on my heart are also on His heart gives me such hope, peace, perseverance and encouragement, and a desire to continue to press into His presence so that I may know Him more.
One of things pressing strongly on my heart for the past 11 months has been my hometown of Starkville. There are broken people everywhere, not just here, but this is where God has called me and this is where I am investing my heart and myself in every way I know how for this season of my life. When I came back last July I was devastated and lost as to what to do or where to even begin with bringing the Kingdom and love of God to these people. Everything always looks and sounds so much more clear and doable from 1,000 miles away than it does when it's right in front of your nose. But now, 9 months later, I am discovering the beautiful faithfulness and power of God in a whole new way. Doors have been opened and are continuing to open in unexpected ways through unexpected circumstances and people, which can only mean that God is moving and proving Himself faithful to His promises. It's always so reassuring to know that God is where we are and in what we're doing when we step out and obey. Obedience has its rewards.
I don't know what the next 6-12 months are going to look like; although I have ideas, plans, visions and expectations I can only hope that God has bigger and better ones. I just know that He is making a way and pulling the puzzle pieces together bit by bit and He won't relent until we are fully His -- until Starkville is fully His. I am not sure why He has picked me to help in this task of stirring up the waters, so to speak. There is no better explanation than He is God and He does what He wants, He uses the weak to shame the strong and He deserves all the glory in that. All of it.
Pray with me as I continue to listen and follow where He leads in regard to 1)the city of Starkville 2)establishing a house of prayer 3)leading a young girls Bible study 4)preparing for and leading a mission trip to Central America.
As the Moravian brothers declared, "May the Lamb who was slain receive the reward of His suffering!"
~Josie Lewis
