Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Where To? - Part 2


When I and a group of my friends went down to visit Emily in St. Augustine this Spring little did I realize I would be moving there in a matter of months! God works in mysterious ways and never ceases to surprise me. At least half a dozen locations had been discussed and prayed about, but I didn't ever consider Florida with any serious consideration. Just a few days ago I was waffling between opportunities in both California and Maine. I still have a piece of paper on my table with the listed pro's and con's for both states. However, I did not have complete peace with either option and woke up one morning asking " Dear Lord, If there is a third option I haven't thought of, please, PLEASE lead the way." During that day God made it pretty clear He wants me to go to St. Augustine, Fl for a short time.
I still can't help, but be amazed at how quickly everything has come together. After months of wondering and sometimes agonizing about where I should go there now is a plan and peace. One fun fact: I've always wanted to experience living near an ocean! I'm looking forward to seeing how the Lord is going to work during my upcoming adventure in Florida.

I plan to get 6 months to 1 year of nursing experience and help with the health evangelism Emily heads-up at the small church in the area. An all new adventure to be sure!

photo source: st-augustine-beach.com

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Where to?


This picture may appear odd and random at first glance , but it caught my attention nonetheless. I'll come back to the reason why in just a minute. See , I've been experiencing an intense season of decision making. The summer chaplaincy internship is quickly approaching its end and the next step has remained a mystery.

As the time of reckoning has come closer and closer I have become increasingly urgent in my prayers for guidance and the heavenly wisdom promised in James 1:5. Then I waited, and waited...and waited. I had sought to surrender my own will and preferences. Now I waited for a word from God. But what would it look like? How would I know it was Him and not the advice of frail humanity? I believed firmly God would make a way by opening a closing doors according to His will. What remained a mystery was how I was to recognize the opening and closing of these doors of opportunity. For a time there was only silence and a generalized unsettle feeling. There was nothing for me to do but wait.

During this time the Lord clearly led me to read Isaiah 50:10 again, reminding me to trust in the Lord and rely upon my God even when walking in darkness without seeing the next step. Eventually, at the proverbial "eleventh hour," the Lord fulfilled His promise and gave me the long sought after answer along with a profound peace. Even now, it is hard to explain how the answer came. It was a intricate and delicate balance of common sense, advice from friends/family, sense of sacred calling and inner peace. I had many positive, God-honoring options laid before me, but only one felt right. Do we base our lives and ministries off of feeling? No way! It would be like trying to make a roller-coaster car the foundation for a building. But the peace that God imparts goes beyond simple feeling, it is a state of the soul given by God that "surpasses all understanding".

The reason I like the picture is because of its various exits. A staircase up to a door in the wall seems to be the only exit. However, the mirror along that same wall shows a better exit to the room, complete with open doors. To me, this symbolizes the diverse ways the Lord leads in lifes. The choices that seem most obvious to us may not be what God has in mind. Commiting to follow God wherever He may lead sometimes feels scary, but ultimately its the adventure of a lifetime. It reminds me of the song

"God will make a way, where there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide, hold me closly to His side.
With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way!"



photo source: www.sxc.hu

Monday, July 2, 2012

Moment of Peace


There are times I need a moment of peace - a moment when I take my mind off the sadness and put it on the beautiful. When my world becomes too filled with hospital halls and grieving families I go to a lovely place in my mind and seek to be still before God. Here is some music that breathes peace into my soul.

"He restoreth my soul..."

Psalm 23