It has taken me so long to write this, in part because I don't know where to begin! & in part because I don't feel equipped to share Gods story in a way that truly displays His glory. How perfect He is.
Although, He has shown me thus far, He will equip those He calls to do His work. Not through our own abilities but through His. So here goes!!!
These last 8 months, and how God is rocking my world.
These last 8 months, and how God is rocking my world.
Leaving Las Vegas ...
Since I let myself get distracted from Gods plan before, I was and am determined not to get de-railed again! Sure, you can always get back on track - but I am done spending time off track when I can be all-in! I prayed fervently for discernment and for God to reveal His will for me. I was presented with two job opportunities almost immediately after submitting fully to Gods will for my life. I asked God and listened intently to see which I should take as both were in completely different states. I remember wishing God had only given me ONE job opportunity so I didn't have to chose! So there wasn't an opportunity to chose wrong! Just a glimpse of that abundance God gives us when we are following Him. Also a glimpse of His teachings, again wanting to see me seek Him for direction.
I didn't hear an answer as quick as I had hoped. I'm sure this hasn't happened to any of you ;). However there was that quiet voice in my heart leading me to accept the position in Washington near Seattle. So, within a few weeks I had accepted and God was taking me out of Las Vegas! Provided me with two opportunities which actually made it easier for me to negotiate salary. (He always has the perfect plan, even if we can't see it).
My mom made the drive from Las Vegas to Washington with me, which was SUCH a blessing! Mom said we should go through Idaho, that way we could see the falls. When we get there we saw not A rainbow, but TWO rainbows. Symbols of Gods promises. & confirmation that we were on the right path.
& just like that, I left everything & followed Jesus.
It was high season here near Seattle and apartments were being snatched up so quickly that any of the ones I was interested in were gone by the time we got here. Still, we found the perfect place within days. God didn't want me to have a security blanket - He wanted me to trust Him to provide. He did. Again, mom to the rescue! I was in a bit of a panic so anything looked good!! However, she heard the Lord and we decided on a place right across from the beach. Where birds woke me up every morning, something I had missed since I was a little girl. Where wild flowers grow everywhere, my favorite. Where I can go across the way next to the water where I feel so close to God, and rest in His presence.
Do not worry ... Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; yet God feeds them - Luke 12:24
At first, it was lonely. But every time I was lonely, I opened my bible. I realized that, God took me away from everything and everyone I knew, so that He could spend quality time with me. Unbelievable! The creator of Heaven and Earth wants to spend quality time with me, and took me to a place He knew I would. I began to read my bible every day. & God began to transform me. He showed me through His word things I had been naive to. Giving me wisdom.
Rather than rely on myself, my family, or my friends ... I began to rely on Jesus. For everything. Even companionship. What a freeing feeling it is! The peace that God gives us in circumstances is beyond any momentary comfort we can receive from anyone else in this world.
He even taught me through the job He placed me in. I have quarterly sales goals. At first, it was an emotional roller coaster every time I closed a deal or lost one. I remember closing a deal and then writing it on the white board, all proud. The next day, I lost a larger one. Then I felt God tell me ... to be humble. That He gives and He can take away. To give all glory to Him. & rely on Him not myself. That I can't control the outcome, not to try because it is a waste of my energy. Amazing how quickly the stress melted away, and has stayed that way (although I have my moments don't get me wrong).
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted - Matthew 23:12
I prayed for a church home. I love Calvary Chapel Green Valley and it was so heartbreaking for me to leave the church I came to know Christ in. I knew I wanted a bible teaching church, and a church that spoke the truth - not sugar coating Gods word but rather preparing us as the Bride of Christ. I tried out a few and became a little discouraged. Then, God led me to Antioch Bible Church. The first time I went, I knew ... this is it. This is my church home. The first time I went, a woman named Heidi introduced herself to me, and said I should become a youth leader.
God was molding me so quickly that at times I wanted to slow down! So I would pretend I hadn't heard Him tell me to do something. I wouldn't have the time. That didn't go over too well :) Thankfully! I heard the voice of God so clearly speak to me one day "when I ask you to do something, I mean now." I am NOT going to argue with that!!!
God first dealt with me on tithing 10% as I would sometimes but not faithfully every week. He wanted me to be faithful in the small things before He gave me bigger things.
"Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, you have authority over much" - Luke 19:17
Once I began tithing regularly it felt AMAZING!!! Like a ton of bricks lifted. Like I was giving God what was already His anyway and it felt so good not to have kept it.
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want - proverbs 11:24
I had also been praying for the Lord to lead my feet on a mission, because He had been putting on my heart to go. Again I heard His voice ... "I have things for you to do here, first".
Through some adversities that I have gone through in my past, God has given me a heart for young women. To pour into them the abundance of love that God gives to me, and wisdom from things I've gone through, in hopes some of it may stick that they wouldn't have to live with the same scars I do. Also for children. One thing God has asked me to do is sponsor 5 year old Ednah who lives in Kenya, through World Vision. It is so exciting for me to write her letters and wait for hers! Also to think of the day I hopefully get to go and meet her and her family.
When you give a dinner, do not ask your friends nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just - Luke 14:12-14
I am now a youth leader at Antioch Bible Church for High School ministry. On the paperwork, one of the questions was about tithing. I smiled at God thinking, I can now say that yes I do, and seeing how He has everything fit perfectly together and work for His good. My life was now a testament to that. It is amazing to me that God sees me as a good example for His younger children. He is growing me so much through them, that I can't even believe it's real.
I want to mention that ... throughout my life I have NEVER been very "domestic"! I have been more career focused. However, I started baking and cooking more in the past year or so, and suddenly I realize, I love it! There are even folks asking me to bake from church! This is definitely Gods craftsmanship, I can take none of the credit, HA!
Recently, the Lord has called me go to go Peru for outreach to children at a local orphanage, and also women in the area ... get this ... through baking.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself - Luke 10:27
Most recently, I have been wanting to start attending a women's bible study. However, when I looked on the website at the studies available, there were only Wednesday nights (I am with my High School group that night), or Thursday mornings (I work). Last Sunday, I prayed deeply for God to place me in a group that would work. After service, one of the pastors daughter whom I was sitting next to said to me ... we've just started a small group on Monday nights would you be interested in joining? I almost couldn't believe my ears. Then I realized, I am NEVER going to be able to comprehend just how GREAT our GOD is! To top it off, many of the women I've been getting to know and become friends with will be part of it.
I have a prayer journel, where I record my prayers ... what God reveals to me ... what I'm thankful for... what I repent of. Whenever I go back through it and see how God answers my prayers, I realize just how powerful prayer through faith is. & sometimes I am brought to tears. Because I know where I was. & wow what a dark place ... one where life almost didn't seem worth it. And now, where I literally have trouble expressing how wonderful things are because I don't have the words, and I end up writing a novel like I just did. :)
So I say to you, ask and it will be given to you; seek [Jesus], and you will find [Him]; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened - Luke 11:9-11
I just want you to know that none of this is a testimony of how great I am. The testimony of me is the horrible mess I was in, before. This is all a testimony of God, His story, what He will do in your life if you let Him. It isn't easy to take the first plunge, but my heart has never been happier, I have never been more content, and lived a more beautiful life. Than when I laid mine down and gave it to Jesus to pick up and make new.
If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? - Matthew 16:25-26
Don't get me wrong, it's not easy. But hear me when I say, it is BEYOND worth it. You won't be able to fully comprehend it until you live it, I know I didn't. & I still have a long journey ahead. That I am enjoying, immensely.
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it - Matthew 7:13-14
By the way, if any of this touched you and you have questions or would like prayer - I would love that. You can post below or email me at msharrer@gmail.com.
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God - John 3:21
With Love,
Meagan
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