For Such A Time As This

"For such a time as this..." Ester 4:14

At times I often question how God is going to use me. Even though I have known that he was calling me to Uganda for some time I was still unsure of how he was going to use me. It was not until I got here that I started to see where my ministry might begin. I firmly believe that God has me here for such a time as this.

Many months ago on October 12th of 2012 the Lord woke me up out of a sound sleep and placed on my heart a phrase that I will never forget. I could vividly hear, "Transcend above all the nations and become like a star." Ever since that night I have wondered what that powerful quote could possibly mean. I never have been a person to base my decisions solely on dreams and visions. I only want to act if the Lord has clearly showed me in his word what I should do. 

It was some time later that he drew this scripture to my attention that coincided with this vision/prophetic phrase. 

Isaiah 60:1-3 "Arise, shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

I knew that God was calling me to be set apart for him. He was calling me to arise and shine for his glory. He was calling me to live a life dependent on him and trusting him to lead and guide me. This was not an ordinary calling. Not only would I be ministering to people of my own culture and nationality, I would be drawing people from all different nations to Jesus christ.

At the time this seemed impossible. I thought, "Ok God you are calling me to Uganda. That is only one country. But from this scripture is sounds as though you are going to use me to minister to many nations. Am I going to be traveling to other countries besides Uganda? Wow this is getting wild!"

My human, physical mind can not wrap around the magnitude of Christ's power and detailed agenda. He was going before me and preparing the way. I just had to be obedient and patient.

It was not until I arrived at my new home on Friday afternoon that I started to understand my calling. All this time I thought God was calling me to Jinja to work at a baby home to assist the nurse and love on babies. I thought this was going to be my time of training for a future ministry. I did not even consider the fact that maybe he was calling me here to do something completely different. 

After arriving I realized that I am living in a house with 9 other girls from all over the world. Some are from Norway, some from The Netherlands, some from England, some from Japan, a few from the US and a few more girls are yet to come. I just assumed that they would all be saved and here to serve Jesus in the baby home like me. However,I quickly discovered that was not the case. They are each here with different ideas than preaching the gospel and being the hands and feet of Jesus. Quite shocked when I found out, I immediately wanted to move out. I thought, "Oh my goodness what am I doing here? I don't fit in here. I can't live with all these people who don't have the same vision as me and I have no fellowship with." But at that moment God was fast to remind me of my calling, "Transcend above all the nations and become like a star."

This was now tangible to me. I could literally sense my calling. I am still trying to figure how I am to go about doing this. I am seeking the Lord to give me wisdom and courage. I am asking him to anoint me and use my life to be a living breathing testimony of his love, and power and faithfulness. I want to live out my faith in such a way that these girls see much fruit from my life and desire to know the God that I love and serve. The God who called me here to minister to them. The God who loves them enough that he sent his son to die for them. I hope that my life illuminates the love of Jesus to them.

So I ask that you please pray for me. Pray for me to be a light to these nations. Pray that hearts would be softened. Broken hearts would be healed. Lives would be transformed. Jesus would be at work in this home. Pray that the holy spirit would be poured out on this home and Christ would become the focus! 

The Lord showed me that this season of my life will not be easy. He showed me that trials and persecution will face me. But like Paul I consider my life worth nothing unless I am using it to bring unbelievers to Jesus. I wasted so many years living for myself and pleasing my flesh. Now it is time to die to my flesh and serve the amazing God who has given me life and breath in my lungs. Let every breath be used for him and his glory. 

Acts 20:23-24 "I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However I consider my life worth nothing to me if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."