Redefine me through refinement
This is a new season, and it’s been HARD.
It has been four months since being home from Africa. Since landing in Atlanta, I became desperate to be in another culture. I was desperate to find Jesus the way He was in Africa. I was desperate for community who understood me and loved me just the way I was. I was desperately searching for my place in this world when the Holy Spirit got ahold of me again.
You see, I was so desperate to be somewhere else that I would try to force it.
Yes, God has definitely placed a desire in my life to be overseas..this just isn’t His timing. When it isn’t God’s timing, it doesn’t work out. When my plans weren’t working, that’s when God spoke softly to me.
This season of life, God has been refining me. Refinement is “the process of removing impurities or unwanted elements from a substance.” God is refining me by getting me out of the way. This life I have is so not about me… My plans… My hopes… My desires. When Jesus entered into my life, it became about Him; it only took 7 years to finally start understanding that concept. “He must increase, I must decrease.” -John 3:30.
Gods plans for my life are good. They are for His glory, not for mine. They are for showing love to all people. They are to be salt and light in a dark world. Man, His plan for me is about laying down my life and pride.
Refinement has been difficult; it’s challenging, uncomfortable, and downright painful sometimes. I wouldn’t change any of it though. This process of refining has shown me that His grace is more than my failures or shortcomings. He is such a good, good Father who knows better than I do.
By being refined, the Lord has also redefined me. He taught in Africa what it meant to be His daughter. Over the last four months, He is teaching me that I’m not failure. I’m not failing when the plan I envisioned the Lord leading me into didn’t work out. There was still growth and a purpose in that plan not working out. He is teaching me that He is the only thing that will quench my thirst. He is teaching me that being in limbo does not mean I’ve missed the mark. The words He is defining me as and growing me in are Spirit-led, faithful, strong, and victor.
So where is God leading me and what door has remained opened after a season of praying, well….
I am moving to Gainesville, Georgia January 29-May 6! I have been accepted into a program called Center for Global Action which is a missions based apprenticeship through Adventures in Missions. I will spend my time there being poured into and being prepared for long-term missions. CGA is the first step into a life time of doing missions work overseas. It is the door that is open and where God has me. I believe the Lord wants to grow me and build relationships in America before He sends me out again. With that being said, I need partners who believe in this with me! I need prayer partners! I need financial partners! This apprenticeship costs $4,200! While I’m not overseas yet, this money will be used to advance and strengthen the Kingdom. Please pray about partnering with me whether as a prayer warrior or financial partner.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to talk with me! I’d love to go deeper into what the Lord is leading me into.
