This is the first time I have actually changed the look of the blog since I got it in 2005... Yes my very first blog, which I started right after I graduated from Auburn and moved to Charlotte, NC for the summer. I participated in a life-changing internship at Grace Life International, a pastoral counseling ministry. This time was incredible. Nothing compares to you being away for 9 weeks to be mentored and just focus on Jesus and have no other distractions. This was such a tool of Father to shape me for what was to come. It was life changing and prepared me for the next chapter: "The Real World" in Birmingham, AL.
I am blessed to be a part of the body there, be fed the gospel of grace which only reinforced what I had spend studying in the summer, find great friends and live life as a young single. (haha) I still consider those such rich days where the Lord took what I had learned that summer and asked me to live them out in this great community. I also worked at a Bone Marrow Transplant unit at UAB hospital. This challenging job shaped me, payed the bills AND allowed me 4 days a week (I worked 3 12 hour shifts) outside of that to enjoy and love people. I wouldn't trade those days for anything. God used that year to prepare me for where I am now- working with Auburn college students- and where he is preparing to move me out of (I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!)
When you look back over your life do you see how He has orchestrated what has happened in the past to prepare and shape you for what's next? The more I look back the more I find guidance for what's next. Look at Esther's life- Chapter 4:14- when Mordecai told her that her position she was in could be "for a time such as this." Our times are not too different- there are overwhelming numbers of people in our families, communities, and this world in bondage. They don't know or understand the gospel and they need Christ to intervene, so that they can be all He created them to be: worshippers of Him. This is our highest destiny--what we were made for! Anything less is empty and leaves us searching. I even find myself in this place: Lord what is my purpose? What am I doing here? It is then that I come back to worshipping and delighting in Him more than anything. THEN He shows me the next step and THEN He brings clarity. He has done this time and time again. When I begin to love the plan and focus on the agenda more than fixing my eyes on Jesus, I have missed it. Waiting for the next page to turn, I see what's ahead to prepare for Hong Kong and at the same time have NO idea. I can't wait to see how God writes this chapter. Until that page turns, this chapter is still in proces, but I am dreaming of what's to come.
My prayer is that the world knows the enduring greatness of God in the person of Christ and that it glorifies Him- He is TRULY the answer to every questions. There is NO ONE like Him!
Lord awaken hearts to your love. Use us to testify to it that they may have "eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
Your new updated blog is beautiful!! I love it and the energy of you and city with your passion for His truth and grace in the forefront! I am enjoying 'going' on this journey with you. XOXO Love always, KTB!!
Katherine