Seeing the Wind

As our family engaged in the discernment process of trying to determine if God really was/is calling our family into missionary service, there were several experiences that really helped us. One was meeting with career missionaries, Rodolph & May Dixon, and another was reading John Ortberg's book, If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat!

The Dixons really encouraged us to take steps forward, trusting that God would open doors or close them, depending on God's calling for our lives. The "boat book" reminded us that we, like Paul, could anticipate that taking major leaps of faith isn't without fear and moments of great anxiety. You may recall from the story in which Peter gets out of the boat to walk out to Jesus, he's doing pretty well --- until he "sees the wind." When Peter saw the wind and the storm swells around him, he got afraid and took his eyes off Jesus ---- and promptly begin to sink!

This week, we have experienced some obstacles and reasons to be afraid. It's so incredibly hard to know if these are God's sent obstacles and door-closings OR if they are the predictable challenges that are certain with any major leap of faith that simply MUST be overcome by keeping our eyes on Jesus.

We could fall back on our belief in the character of God...that God wouldn't ask more of us that we can bear and that God is working together for good (Romans 8:28). John has found comfort in 1 Peter 5:6-7, reminding us that God knows all about our worries and that we need to humble ourselves before God who will, in God's own time, lift us up. I keep saying to myself over and over again, "I know God is in control and knows the bigger picture," but I confess that I really want God to give us some signs now to reassure us that He hasn't redefined our calling or that we didn't read it wrong to begin with!

I received an inspirational email today that quotes Julie Ackerman Link and her reminder that:

"Instead of waiting in doubt and disappointment for God to do the one thing we demand of Him, let’s take the time to look at everything God has already done."

Clearly God has opened so many doors for us and has paved the way for us to serve him in Southern Mexico, so I guess we're just "seeing the wind." We ask that you pray some extra prayers for us as we continue to seek God's will and calling in our lives, and pray that we can keep our eyes on Jesus, trusting in him as we continue stepping forward.