Opportunity Comes A'Knockin'

I would be lying if I said I didn't have my reservations and fears about taking on more responsibility but...with the wrap up of the musical, I think this is God's way of giving me exactly what I was praying for. Relationships that were NOT rooted in obligation, but rather firm in concern and desire for accountability.

God continues to answer prayers.

But, goodness, it still baffles me when I think about how much time has passed. And I sometimes forget that I am no longer in a position to simply follow, but now must lead. Truthfully, following is always easier. Less stressful. But, when God calls, you answer, and when He tells you to lead, you lead.

Zechariah said this of his son John (the Baptist):

⁷⁶And you, my child,
will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord
to prepare the way for him,
⁷⁷to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,

We have been commissioned to reach out not just to those in nations across the globe, but to those who stand arms length away. In fact, when we reach out across the land, we're bound to touch upon those closest to us along the way right? This is just the beginning.

So despite my initial qualms about whether or not I was ready and if whether or not I was willing and able, I remembered that God has been calling me for a while and I have an opportunity to truly fulfill my mission statement, by serving those who I have a heart to serve, which allows me to serve the Lord.

This week I was reminded of this lesson:

¹⁵But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Some things never change. Like...there will always those people who are more than willing to tear you down. There will always be some kind of worldy drama that will cause you to backslide. There will always be temptations and hardships that make you struggle in your relationship with Christ. And I learned that through my own discipleship with Ate Niña.

But what else did I learn?

Another thing that never changes is that God loves us. His mercy and His compassion are constantly there and whenever we stray away, God doesn't. THAT NEVER CHANGES.

My prayer request for now? Is to remember what it means to be in this kind of relationship. That this isn't a social event. Coming together is not done for social reasons. We have been given this opportunity to keep each other focused on the cross and to be reminded that God must be bigger than everything else. ESPECIALLY each other.

John 3:30: He must become greater, I must become less.

Haha, I will say this. PTL for Kristine and Lidia, because I'm oober excited too.