Tomorrow I look for a place to live in Grand Rapids. I'm moving back to the city for the purpose of ministering to the neighborhood. I am beyond nervous about this prospect, but it is definitely where I am called for this season of my life. I don't worry much about it anymore. I used to worry a lot, but last week it hit a peak and I stopped what I was doing to spend some quality time with Jesus. He promises us peace when we give him our anxieties, and that is what I got. I did a lot of listening and not much talking. This is normally the other way around, but what could I possibly say to my own creator except "Lord help me!". He taught me to trust Him. I've offered myself completely to be used by God, the all powerful, and here I was concerned about being ineffective. This is God's ministry, not mine. He will prepare the way, He will set it up, He will change hearts, He will transform lives; all I need is to be willing to be used. I am not qualified to do this kind of thing. Thankfully, the Lord doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. I know that anything good that comes out of this venture will be because of the Holy Spirit's work and not my own, and that's how He works; To God be all the glory. If I felt qualified to do this, I might take some of the credit for the results. I think that Philippians 4:13 will be one of my theme verses.
I might write that verse on the wall when I move in. I know that the trials will come and it will be very difficult. I need to be reminded that my strength comes from the creator of the universe. If God is for us, who can stand against us?
