A voice of Hope

As I sat in the midst of a circle of god-fearing women I heard these words... voices of many of my inward struggles.

"Lonely. Unbalanced. Overwhelmed. Discouraged. Struggling with Obedience. Timid Witness. Trials of Life. Trying to earn God's approval/love. Sick and Unbelieving Family. Workers are Few. Distracted."

Does it not cause tears to form in your eyes and your heart feel suppressed and crushed? It is such a strange phenomenon that to be in the Lord's work can be so painful and such a struggle. Yet, here we are. I am not talking about young believers thrown into a ministry that they have no idea about. I am talking about season women of God, who have served Him their entire lives. On other days you would find us all with a smile on our faces, excited to share with you what the Lord was doing. We would tell you of all the success of the ministry that the Lord had called us to. But here, here was a protected place of sisters who come in their human states: broken, hurt, discouraged.... We are broken vessels who told the Lord that He could use us as he saw fit. That is all we are. We are not strong. We are not mighty. We are not world-changers. We are not super-women. We do not have it all together. We have surrendered. 

Why do I feel the need to write this blog post? There are 2 reasons. The first being for those out there thinking that they can't be the world changers. The ones who think they are stuck in their job, with their kids or whatever it is that you feel holds you back from serving the Lord. The only thing in the way of God using you right where you are is SURRENDER. God can and will use anyone. Did you read that description above?? We don't have it together but God still uses us every day! What a beautiful thing! Surrender to Him. Whatever He asks of you He will accomplish if you allow Him. It is always Him.

The second reason I wanted to write this blog is for all my sisters in ministry. Ministry isn't easy. We often get discouraged and tired. I hear you. I see you. I mourn with you. I struggle with you. You are not alone. You never have been. I want to remind you of something vitally important. No matter what age you are, what season of life, this is TRUTH.

GOD CALLED YOU TO THE MINISTRY YOU ARE IN. 

We can often doubt that truth right there. Satan tries to tell us that we aren't good enough. We messed up. Our gifts don't allow us to do _________. We don't know how to handle that. Who are you to be doing _________ for the Lord? Let me tell you who you are...

"Fear not I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are MINE." (Isaiah 43:1b)

You are CHOSEN. You are JUSTIFIED (1 Cor. 6:11). You are WASHED (1 Cor. 6:11). You are REDEEMED. You are SUMMONED. You are more than a CONQUEROR (Rom 8:37). You are an HEIR with CHRIST (Rom. 8:17). You are a NEW CREATION (2 Cor 5:17). You are ACCEPTED (Rom 15:7). You are UNITED with CHRIST (1 Cor. 6:17). You are the TEMPLE of the HOLY SPIRIT (1Cor. 6:19).

Satan can try all day to make us feel unworthy. Without Christ we are unworthy. But we are IN CHRIST. He has commissioned us and asked us to do what we are doing. And He hasn't left us to do it all alone. He is here with us. Be encouraged and know that in the midst of the loneliness, being unbalanced, being overwhelmed, being discouraged, struggling to be obedient, being timid in our faith, going through the trials of life, fearing the Lord's disapproval, crying for our families who are sick and disbelieving, discouraged because the workers are few, and being distracted, He is here. He knows. He knows our struggles. He knows our hurt and pain. He hasn't left us and He hasn't decided He can't use us. What a beautiful thing about our Lord is that He chooses us in our broken messes. This is His ministry and He will complete it... and He desires to use YOU to do it. Stay strong, and know you are loved. 

1 Peter 2:19-25