God's Awesome Plan For Our Lives Far Exceeds Our Imagination
"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Talk about culture shock! When my family and I arrived on the mountain in Garrett County Maryland I felt God certainly had made a mistake. How could a family from Northern Virginia where there are millions of people, cars and houses possibly minister to this laid back community 3,000 feet above sea level? Even though I was praying that God wasn't really calling us to this ministry I knew the moment we pulled on the church parking lot that this was our new home. The next 5 1/2 years are history but the ministry proved to be many things for our family. For me it was a time of incredible spiritual growth and a great lesson that God can use anyone to do anything if we simply are obedient and willing to obey His call.
Jeremiah 29:11, says it all. God has an awesome plan for each of us but so many times we hinder that work. We tend to look at things through our eyes and become discouraged because we only see the possible. Things that seem impossible to us create fear in our lives and many of us will never accept the challenge God has strategically placed before us because it involves RISK. When God planted a burden for youth ministry in my heart shortly after we had accepted the pastorate in Oakland, Maryland, I was totally puzzled and scared to death! How could a former banking officer pastor a group of screaming teens with roller coaster emotions and raging hormones? I knew absolutely NOTHING about pastoring young people and had no experience in ministry. Yes, I was afraid to accept the challenge and risk God had placed before me. But as I began to seek God's face for guidance and direction He filled my heart with excitement, new ideas and peace.
God equips the called. When He nudges our heart and whispers that it is time for us to step out and do something for the Kingdom, He gives us everything we need to accomplish the task. Those were some of the most precious and rewarding years of my ministry. Several of the young men (including our son Brandon) are now active in ministry. To think that maybe I played a small part in encouraging them to take a risk for Christ excites me even today. What if I would have ignored God's calling? What if I had refused to take that risk? God made the impossible come to life. He desires to do that with all of us. I encourage you - be willing to take a risk and watch God do the rest.
