Go and Tell

It has been five months since I blogged, and what changes have taken place in those months!  We had settled into the realization that life would soon be changing, and we were praying for God to order our steps.  He quickly set into motion a plan for our lives and ordered every step with the precision only he could do.  Our house sold before we ever listed it.  Less than 90 days from the time Troy started his new job and we started seeking God's will for a change, we were moving into a home in a brand new town.

We rejoice in answered prayers!  However, change has not been easy.  Twenty-two years of being in the same place left us comfortable.  We knew people.  We had our routines.  We had people to lean on when we needed them.  We knew were we were to serve and what our role was at that appointed time.

Change has happened quickly, and the human nature in me expected instantaneous success in our new area.  After all, God sent us here.  Instead, it has been an intense time of adjusting and testing my ability to "Be still and know".

We have spent the last three months...seeking.  Seeking a new normal.  Seeking new friendships.  Seeking a new church home.  Admittedly, it has been lonely, and it has been hard.  I've been discouraged.  This has been a particularly hard week.

As I was driving back from taking Noah to school yesterday morning, I thought about Jesus.  During the time he was preaching the gospel he had no home, and he moved frequently.  He left his friends and family behind.  He never complained.

My devotion led me to a passage in John to the verse above. God sends us to GO.  GO might be across the street.  GO might be to a new town.  GO might even mean to another state, or another country.

I know clearly we were sent to Columbia to GO.  After all, I can look back at the multiple times we tried to leave Savannah and were told to wait. His timing is perfect, even when it is hard for us to see.

We have been seeking a church home.  I've been so focused on that goal because I thought it would fill the gaping void in my servant's heart that has been there since we left Savannah.  On my drive this morning, I thought about how many missed opportunities I may have had in the past three months.  Instead of waiting on an invitation to church, might I have been more productive initiating a conversation and letting it lead into an opportunity?

GO and tell...produce fruit where you are planted.  Don't get comfortable, and don't miss opportunities.

Father, thank you for your amazing grace and the opportunities you place before us each day.  I pray you will open my eyes to the everyday opportunities you have placed be fore me and that I won't miss a chance to share your goodness with someone who needs it.  Thank you for loving us unconditionally, and continue to order our every step.  Amen.