Confirmed and Reconfirmed
Every so often the soul cries out to God for a word of affirmation. Is this the right direction, Lord? Is this what you want me to do? What should my priorities be in the midst of so many opportunities and options?
Last week I was in "retreat," participating with our staff and missionaries in our annual get-away for fellowship, refreshing and teaching. Over my years with Fellowship International I've been to many of these "MI" gatherings but somehow this one was different and special. It was wonderful to see how international the mission has become. Just at MI alone we had Indian, Lebanese and African personnel present along with our more traditionally "Canadian" crew. There was a freedom to share even the most intimate details and some who had carried the burden of deep family pain were able to tell the rest of us and experience the blessing of being prayed for.
The retreat center, Crieff Hills Community, is one of those spots where quiet and meditation are encouraged and as I was taking my early morning walk along one of the many trails around the property, I asked the Lord to speak to me. One morning in particular, I sat in the Garden of Life, a spot on the property where someone had built a beautiful flower garden. My reading for that morning was from Isaiah and my question for God was, "What, among the many opportunities that I have, should be my focus in ministry?" I wear many hats within my two diverse ministries (plus a few outside of the "jobs.")
The first verses I read that morning were from Isaiah 61: "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of the vengeance of the Lord our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They shall be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor" (1-3, NIV). And the list goes on in the following verses.
In the event I would dismiss the message the worship leader read the exact same passage later than same morning. At times it is easy to doubt the call of God, to feel incapable, disillusioned, ready to quit or overwhelmed. During moments like those, God's confirmation becomes so important.
I'm not sure that I'm any less overwhelmed (see me smiling here) but this little "vignette" of life in that one day was an encouragement to "keep on keeping on" knowing that whatever else the other "voices" say, God's voice still speaks above them all.
Last week I was in "retreat," participating with our staff and missionaries in our annual get-away for fellowship, refreshing and teaching. Over my years with Fellowship International I've been to many of these "MI" gatherings but somehow this one was different and special. It was wonderful to see how international the mission has become. Just at MI alone we had Indian, Lebanese and African personnel present along with our more traditionally "Canadian" crew. There was a freedom to share even the most intimate details and some who had carried the burden of deep family pain were able to tell the rest of us and experience the blessing of being prayed for.
The first verses I read that morning were from Isaiah 61: "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of the vengeance of the Lord our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They shall be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor" (1-3, NIV). And the list goes on in the following verses.
In the event I would dismiss the message the worship leader read the exact same passage later than same morning. At times it is easy to doubt the call of God, to feel incapable, disillusioned, ready to quit or overwhelmed. During moments like those, God's confirmation becomes so important.
I'm not sure that I'm any less overwhelmed (see me smiling here) but this little "vignette" of life in that one day was an encouragement to "keep on keeping on" knowing that whatever else the other "voices" say, God's voice still speaks above them all.
I'm so glad God spoke to you and confirmed all you're doing. Awesome, too, for the missionaries to feel free to share and be prayed for. So many times our workers are the last to come for prayer. So sad...
ReplyDeleteI am always tickled and delighted at the ways He confirms Himself.
ReplyDeleteBe blessed by His love!
I LOVE when He does that. SO glad you were ready to listen. Love your new background too, by the way. Blessings to you, my friend.
ReplyDelete