unqualified but NOT uncalled

Hi friends - lets start today with scripture

I am sending you to the Gentiles (unbelievers) to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among Gods people, who are set apart by faith in me. Acts 26 :17b-18

For as long as I can remember I have been a scared person on some level or another. Being scared also leads to other things such as insecurities, delays and lack of obedience. I refuse to live like that anymore. I have always felt I struggle with speaking, with knowing what to say, when to say it and how its going to sound coming out of my mouth. I was afraid what people would think if I said something wrong or if I would sound stupid, so I have kept to myself. BUT GOD did not call us to be silent, or to hide in the dark. He calls us to be salt and light.

I went on my first mission trip in 2011 to Angola Africa as a nurse (the beginning - pictured below) I didn't know what to expect but through that step of obedience to go, God has built a fire in me that can now not be diminished. Since that time I have prayed and prayed for God to help me become more involved in missions though I had no idea what that would look like... and even as I sit here today I know God is still working and its sooooo exciting to even think of the joys that are to come and exceedingly more! I had an aha moment the other morning when I realized I had just sat down to message the 6 missionary wives I am currently building relationships with all across the world, what a blessing! This started with a thought a few months ago and has grown into something so special to me, and to them too I believe.

It also started with obedience. There have been moments when I knew God was telling me to do something and out of fear, or lack of confidence I did not obey. One example is from about 11 years ago of another mother who had lost her 12yo son in a ski accident. I tried via messenger to build a relationship with her and encourage her that everything was going to be ok and that God can use even the hardest paths we walk down for good. She was angry. I felt God telling me to go to her house in Houston and crawl in bed with her and just hug her....I didnt do it. I continued to try and connect but she became more and more distant and eventually took her own life. I will never forget feeling the Holy Spirit tell me to do something a I didn't listen and then have to wonder how much of a difference it could have made - life saving possibly.... never again.

Over the past few months of saying YES to God anytime I feel Him instructing me I have a deeper sense of self, more confidence through HIM, a realization that I can not mess up too badly for God to fix it, to use it and still work in their hearts. I am but the seed planter, He is the perfecter, the gardener of our souls. Man that takes such a weight off of having to execute perfectly! He just wants us to be willing, to be obedient to what He has called us to do.

A couple weekends ago we were at a lake birthday party and they had a giant inflatable obstacle course with 3 tall jump points. There was a little boy there who had also been scared to jump but he did it! I felt God telling me to practice faith over fear. As I sat on the shortest of the jumps (still prob 20 feet tall) contemplating life, this little boy encouraged me from the water. He said do it sitting first a couple times and then you can stand up and jump. I was terrified, I had him count to 3 for me and then I went. I repeated the same then took the leap and jumped from my feet. I then moved to level 2 and did the same thing. Once I had mastered that I knew I couldn't leave without taking the ultimate plunge, again the little boy was there to encourage me from below where he had just successfully completed what I was contemplating. I told myself "Its ok, your ok, your not going to die, Gods got you, DO IT AFRAID!!"and i did!

The same means of encouragement that little boy gifted me with, I am hoping to share with you today. God calls us all to different things, in different ways but He always calls his children to love Him and love people. Our greatest form of love we have to offer is JESUS CHRIST the SON OF GOD, our savior and only hope in spending an eternity in heaven. How do you hear Gods call??

#1 Spend time in the BIBLE

#2 Pray

#3 Surround yourself with people who love God & push you to grown in Christ

#4 Remove things & people that are destructive to your mind and your soul

#5 Earnestly seek Him and what He wants you to do

#6 ACT when He speaks

The more we do these things, the more He speaks...the more doors He opens, the more hearts he transforms and souls he saves! Its one decision of obedience at a time, its doing things afraid, its being bold for Jesus. So lets shuck off the weights that hold us captive because Jesus has already freed us, we just have to walk out of the prison into His marvelous light. Be used by God my friends, be willing, be available, be obedient. God consistently calls the unqualified and qualifies the called!!

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love and self discipline 2 Tim 1:7

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Be doers of the word, and not just hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; It is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8

Father God I love you. I pray Lord that you use these words to speak encouragement into someones life today. I pray that you draw them in deeper to yourself and a relationship with you. I pray God that you give us courage to face adversities and make our steps for you land on solid ground as you continue to direct our paths as we walk. Thank you God for every oppurtunity we have to grow closer to you and to encourage other to do the same. Thank you for your blessings all along the way, forgive us Lord when we fall short. In Jesus name, Amen.