I've been uncomfortable for two weeks. Everything I thought I had going for me fell apart, and I've been living on faith since. I was approached shortly after that happened, and questioned as to whether I was supposed to really be down here or if it was my own desire. It was already a thought on my mind, and it actually has been ever since I moved down here. Does God really want me in Charleston? It's beautiful here, is this my own desire?
In Acts 13:2-3, and many other places in the Bible, we can read about the importance of prayer and fasting, and that God rewards those selfless acts by making Himself known. So, that's exactly what I've been doing. Through my time seeking God on this, I've made sure to talk to some of my closest friends because God often chooses to talk to us through the people in our lives. God has revealed a few things to me through this time.
God is a God of clarity. While talking to a friend, I was sharing with him what has all happened since I've been down here. I told him I didn't know what God wanted me to do. I don't mind staying here and being patient, but I don't want to be an idiot and ignore something that God is showing me. He told me that when God has a plan for us, He wants us to know that plan. Imagine your dad wanting something for you. He doesn't sit back and not tell you. He comes to you, and he tells you what he wants you to do. That's the same for our Dad in Heaven. When He wants us to go one way or another, He's going to make that clear to us, so that we know it's from Him. All else, all confusion, comes from the devil. God called me to come down here and be patient in finding a job. It seems that the confusion of everything going on with that has made me uneasy. It was a great reminder that God doesn't want me confused and that He'll make His ways known.
While meditating on a number of late night beach walks I realized that I'm extremely uncomfortable and would love to move back to the comforts of my parents house and the community that I have in Wisconsin. If God were to say "move", I'd do it in a second. Those thoughts helped me realize that I'm not down here because of what I want. I want comfort. There's a desire inside every person to be comfortable. Usually, in our American society, comfort is sought out through our financial status. Our true comfort should come from God, and knowing that we're in His plan and not our own, because when we're in His plan, He promises to take care of us and lead us. Every day I spend money, and there is none coming back to me. That's financially uncomfortable, and I know that the solution would be to move back home and seek out one of the opportunities that was previously offered to me. But, I can't let my lack of financial comfort drive me. I have to let my comfort in God drive me, and I know that right now He wants me here.
When I first moved down, I decided that I'd be in a pretty needy state financially by the end of August. I thought I had about three months before it was necessary for me to have a job. Well, due to the love of the people down here, and the living situations that God has made available to me, I have spent a lot less than I originally thought I was going to be spending. I started praying the other day that I wouldn't have to spend up everything I have in savings in order to continue in this season of patience. I quickly got hit over the head by my Father, who asked, "Why not?". It's true! Why is it so scary to me to spend something God has given me to spend? If I'm truly trusting in God to supply for my needs, then I don't need a financial "padding". Once again, I was seeking the financial comfort that we often seek as Americans. The same financial padding that many believe is the reason we don't experience the miracles in our country that they do in the third world countries around the world. I need to trust God more than I trust money, otherwise I'm a fool.
I'm so excited that Dylan is coming down. I'm picking him up tomorrow evening from the airport here in Charleston. He's had a few curve balls thrown at him over the last week, so he's currently seeking out God's will for his future like I am. Regardless of where God takes him, I'm extremely thankful for the time we'll get to spend together. Although there are not many men here, the few that I know are great guys, but there's nothing like someone who knows your heart and the path you've been on. It will be great to talk about what God has been doing in our lives and what He wants to do with us in the future. Dylan was living in the national forest in Colorado while working in the town of Estes Park as a waiter. He was approached at work and told that he had 24 hours to get out of his campsite. As God closed the door on Dylan's plans, He felt God directing him to move out here. We had a short conversation on the phone where he told me he was considering it. I told him I'd love it if he were here, but that first we needed to pray about it and wait for God to tell him to move. A few days later he told me that he was going to be coming to Charleston. I don't know what God has planned for either of us here, but I'm excited to be with a friend as we wait for the Lord to reveal Himself to us!
HOMELESS MINISTRY
Due to my current living situation, it has been much more difficult to get out and minister to the homeless. I'm about a 20 minute drive from downtown Charleston right now, and most of the homeless aren't out in the areas I go until later in the evening, so it has been difficult to spend much time seeking them out and spending time with them. Before I moved to Isle of Palms I had met Leon and Stan, two men who hang out a couple blocks away from the apartment I had been staying in. I've stopped to talk with them and hang out for a little bit a couple times since then, and it's been awesome! There's about 4-10 people that hang out in their group, and they all truly cherish whatever time I spend hanging out with them. Although I wrote in "My Dream" about having a beach house that could be used to bring people together, I think that right now God is calling me to be downtown. I'm really hoping that things will come together soon and, Lord willing, Dylan and I can move into the apartment and sign a lease there together.
NEW MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY
The church I have been attending just watched God come through with a miracle yesterday, and we were able to have their first college aged worship night downtown, just a few blocks from the College of Charleston, and right in the middle of the bar scene. Here's a short video on what happened and how God moved: http://vimeo.com/48308295. I feel like the season that just came to a completion with the Well is the season that I've just started. It was an encouraging night!
God also showed me how great this is as a ministry opportunity I have for all the people I've been meeting and will be able to meet if I move back downtown. Every time I walk around the city of Charleston I meet new people. I knew how to treat those opportunities when it was with the homeless, but could not figure out what to do with the college students and young adults who just wanted to go out to the bars all the time. God provided an opportunity. Who can turn down free food?!? I hope that God will bring me back to that area so that I can be used to pack the house on Monday nights. It's a huge opportunity to have something so close to campus, and I can't wait to see how God uses it.
PRAYER
Well, Dylan is coming and neither of us know what God has us in Charleston for. We need a place to live, and we both could use jobs.
Dylan is in need of clarity for what God wants him to be doing for the next year.
I'm praying very heavily that God moves with a job by the end of the week. Sometimes we need to ask big things of God and trust that He will answer. I will not lose faith if I do not have one, because I know God has a plan, but the Bible teaches us that sometimes the answer is to "wrestle with God" as Jacob did in Genesis 32. (Thanks to my current roommates for this insight, and Beth Moore for what I heard was an amazing conference last weekend.)
Please pray for The Well and the new opportunities available through a downtown location.
Thanks!!! Love you all!
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