There have only three times that I have moved. The first time happened when I was ten years old. We left El Salvador to come to America. I remember our departure. The feelings are somewhat nostalgic. This move opened a new life for me and my family. The best of it was the fact that the Lord called me to follow him. My life changed forever.
The second time was when I was a young married with two young children, and we moved from California to Arizona. The purpose was for me to go to Bible College. I knew God had called me to serve him and I needed formal training and we moved. The memories of that trip remain vivid. We drove through rain and arrived at midnight to the home of a Christian man that we only knew via phone. There we spend a week until we found a home to rent. The two years we spent there for unforgettable. We experienced financial strains, marriage difficulties and church problems. It wasn't easy but the Lord kept us in Him. After my graduation we headed back to California where I continued to prepare myself . I went to seminary and graduated. We served in church planting for over six years. After many trials and suffering, I decided that it was time to focus on my family and went on to teach in public schools as a teacher. For over twelve years I taught in several schools. I reached a point where I thought I would never be involved in full time ministry. My life had reached a crossroad and I decided to move a different direction. It lasted ten years. My wife worked as a nurse as we raised our two children. After our grown kids had taken off, we enjoyed our time by ourselves. Our life was comfortable even though I experienced job losses. But God was at work in me. In my heart. Through a series of circumstances He led me to himself. He showed me that the purpose of life was not to live for me but for Him. One of my biggest struggles in my spiritual walk with Him was understanding His sovereignty. Well, not understanding but accepting it. As I read Scripture with new eyes and heart, the Lord showed me His greatness. He is sovereign. I don't need to have all the answers to my life's problems but I do need to completely rely on Him. The more I read Scripture, He showed me that life here is short and eternity out weighs everything. It was during this time when God lead us to the church we are now. This brought more conviction to my heart that I was to follow God's calling. I prayed daily for three years. My requests were specific. I didn't want to take any chances in making a path for me that God had not led me to follow. God answered clearly.
As I write, I am in the midst of packing and preparing for our third move. I won't say this is the last time but I know this isn't up to me. It is time to leave my family, friends and church and follow where the Saviour is leading us. He has a clear purpose for us. The Lord is leading to a specific place, a specific church with a specific purpose. What lies ahead, I don't know. But I know who is leading me. He will lead me by day and by night. He has my heart and all that I am. Nothing else should.
What has your heart? Does He own all of you? Are you ready for Him to lead you wherever and whenever?
 |
I remember this tree in El Salvador. In front
lived my best friend Toño in a bedroom madeof mud. |
The second time was when I was a young married with two young children, and we moved from California to Arizona. The purpose was for me to go to Bible College. I knew God had called me to serve him and I needed formal training and we moved. The memories of that trip remain vivid. We drove through rain and arrived at midnight to the home of a Christian man that we only knew via phone. There we spend a week until we found a home to rent. The two years we spent there for unforgettable. We experienced financial strains, marriage difficulties and church problems. It wasn't easy but the Lord kept us in Him. After my graduation we headed back to California where I continued to prepare myself . I went to seminary and graduated. We served in church planting for over six years. After many trials and suffering, I decided that it was time to focus on my family and went on to teach in public schools as a teacher. For over twelve years I taught in several schools. I reached a point where I thought I would never be involved in full time ministry. My life had reached a crossroad and I decided to move a different direction. It lasted ten years. My wife worked as a nurse as we raised our two children. After our grown kids had taken off, we enjoyed our time by ourselves. Our life was comfortable even though I experienced job losses. But God was at work in me. In my heart. Through a series of circumstances He led me to himself. He showed me that the purpose of life was not to live for me but for Him. One of my biggest struggles in my spiritual walk with Him was understanding His sovereignty. Well, not understanding but accepting it. As I read Scripture with new eyes and heart, the Lord showed me His greatness. He is sovereign. I don't need to have all the answers to my life's problems but I do need to completely rely on Him. The more I read Scripture, He showed me that life here is short and eternity out weighs everything. It was during this time when God lead us to the church we are now. This brought more conviction to my heart that I was to follow God's calling. I prayed daily for three years. My requests were specific. I didn't want to take any chances in making a path for me that God had not led me to follow. God answered clearly.
As I write, I am in the midst of packing and preparing for our third move. I won't say this is the last time but I know this isn't up to me. It is time to leave my family, friends and church and follow where the Saviour is leading us. He has a clear purpose for us. The Lord is leading to a specific place, a specific church with a specific purpose. What lies ahead, I don't know. But I know who is leading me. He will lead me by day and by night. He has my heart and all that I am. Nothing else should.
What has your heart? Does He own all of you? Are you ready for Him to lead you wherever and whenever?
No comments:
Post a Comment