Seeking Him

"When God calls someone, that's all that really matters. Don't let yourself be afraid." That's what Pastor Jim Cymbala's father-in-law told him many years ago. Jim Cymbala was a great basketball player, not a pastor.

Maybe you know the story. Jim Cymbala is now the pastor of the well-known Brooklyn Tabernacle Church in NYC. He stepped out in faith and did what God called him to do. You can read more of his testimony in the great book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. It is one of my top 5 favorite books ever; life-changing!

"When God calls, that's all that really matters"... How true that statement is. I can attest to that on a much smaller scale. 4 years ago this coming May, God called the Vail family to step out...to leave their comfort zone of 17 years. To leave Wilson, NC. To leave it when they had THE best of friends in the whole world. To leave it when their oldest daughter, Heather, would be entering her senior year of high school. To leave it and take their 3 children away from all they had ever known; to take them out of a thriving teen department at church; to leave a house they had built and called their own.

God is in control. God knew that Kim loved Scott enough to trust in him to step out in God's will. And God took care of every detail for Kim...because He knew she was weak, and she would question at times. But God also knew that Kim loved Him enough, trusted Him enough, and wanted to be in His will...no matter the cost. God knew that Kim could trust Him to take care of her children...His children...even better than she could.

And that He has done! It has been awesome to see how God is using Scott in amazing ways! And how He has stretched me spiritually...oh boy! Charlotte is our home...and we love it! He has given Scott an amazing ministry here at Calvary Church. He's given him another building project. I laugh (not really) when I think of the number of building projects God has put Scott in charge of (in the secular workplace and in both churches he has served). God has also given him a wonderful ALG (Sunday School) class to lead...thriving, with over 250 on our roster. And God allows me to serve right alongside of this amazing man that I call my husband. And He has put such amazing friends in our path, once again. Amazing prayer-partners (friends both in Wilson and in Charlotte that we know will be on their knees in an instant if we need them to...and a Dad and step-mom that CONSTANTLY cry out to God on our behalf time and time again). We are so blessed!

Was it easy to pick up and leave? Not one bit. But when you pray and God calls, you'd best be ready to answer!

What is it you are praying for? Are you praying for God to stretch you...to use you in mighty ways? Maybe you are praying for another job? To enter the mission field? Be careful what you pray for. If God calls, are you ready? Step out in faith and watch Him work in mighty ways!

Quote from Pastor Cymbala: "I discovered an astonishing truth: God is attracted to weakness. He can't resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him. our weakness, in fact, makes room for His power".

Oh God, thank you for being attracted to ME!

I'm so blessed and thankful that God gave us 3 children who trust us because they know we trust in a GREAT God!!!!!