Faith Journey- Day 18

Day 18- Nothing Worth Having Comes Easily

Yesterday, we delved into the “how” of our callings. God will use others in our lives to confirm and encourage our call to ministry. Throughout our Faith Journey together we have explored many aspects of endurance and sanctification. The process, while often painful, is used by our Creator God to make us better able to minister in ways we could not fathom without it.

In his book “Knowing God,” by J.I. Packer, he says:

“…for the same wisdom that ordered the paths which God’s saints trod in Bible times orders the Christian’s life today. We should not, therefore, be too taken aback when unexpected and upsetting and discouraging things happen to us now. What do they mean? Simply that God in his wisdom means to make something of us which we have not attained yet, and he is dealing with us accordingly.

Perhaps he means to strengthen us in patience, good humor, compassion, humility or meekness, by giving us some extra practice in exercising these graces under especially difficult conditions. Perhaps he has new lessons in self-denial and self-distrust to teach us. Perhaps he wishes to break us of complacency, or unreality, or undetected forms of pride or conceit. Perhaps his purpose is simply to draw us closer to himself in conscious communion with him; for it is often the case, as all the saints know, that fellowship with the Father and the Son is most vivid and sweet, and Christian joy is greatest, when the cross is heaviest. Or perhaps God is preparing us for forms of service of which at present we have no inkling.”

Drop the mic!!! Thank you, Dr. Packer. We are perpetually a work in progress; every aspect of our lives.

I shared on Day 17 that Pastor Ken asked me to join the Deaf Ministry Interpreting Team. As I explained , I really did have to pray about it. One, that’s what we should do before entering into service and I was scared to death… stall tactic. And two, His encouragement about my limited sign ability took me by surprise and, did I mention, I was scared to death. He saw something in me that I was completely oblivious to.

With fear and trepidation, I stepped through the cracked door to learn how to interpret music. Thankfully, there were so many wonderful people to help me along the way. When it was my week to interpret the music, I would work for HOURS and HOURS to translate and practice. The Deaf members were encouraging and corrected me with love along the way. It was quite a difficult and humbling experience to say the least.

About a year into my “music interpreting training,” Ron and I saw a friend of ours, Chip, after a church service one Sunday. Chip was a student at Southeastern. He occasionally filled in and interpreted the sermons when he was in town. Chip was preparing to become a Pastor to the Deaf. He was hearing but both of his parents were Deaf. He was a CODA (Child of a Deaf Adult). This particular Sunday, he asked to talk to Ron and I. He said…

” Christa, you are extremely gifted in interpreting music but I think it’s time for you to get out of the boat. You need to be interpreting more than just music. I will be here for six more months before I leave to pastor a Deaf Church. The Lord wants me to train you to interpret sermons.”

What?! Completely out of left field! Dumbfounded…I prayed about it. With even GREATER fear and trepidation…I said “yes.”

Chip gave me homework and for the first two weeks of my training, I watched him interpret and took notes. We would meet (Chip, Ron, and myself)  after each service to debrief.

Poor Chip, he had no idea what he had gotten himself into. Finally, it was my turn to interpret a sermon. Chip would sit on the first row and “feed” me signs when he saw I was stuck. That first Sunday, I lasted a whole thirty seconds before I made Chip trade with me and take over. It was horrible! I was horrible!

After service, I quit…but Chip would not let me off the hook that easy and neither would Ron or our Deaf members. Looking back, I’m thankful they did not give up on me but this was one of the hardest things I had ever done. I questioned The Lord at every step. I felt so inadequate.

“God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.”

• Read Genesis 45

What does Joseph tell his brothers in verse 5?

 

In verses 7 and 8, who does Joseph say sent him to Egypt?

 

A little background on Joseph. He was the youngest child and quite spoiled and full of himself. Scripture tell us that Joseph was his father’s favorite. And what’s worse, his brothers knew it and resented Joseph for it. At age seventeen, Joseph lacked self-control and wisdom. He tattled on his brothers to dad. He had a dream about his brothers bowing down to him…AND shared that dream with them. What was he thinking?!

Ultimately, the brothers were fed up and plotted to sell Joseph into slavery. They lied and told their father he was killed. Fast forward many years in Joseph’s life; he had some horrible things happen. He was a slave and put in prison, but He continued to wait patiently on The Lord.

That brings us back to the theme of redemption in Chapter 45.  God had an amazing work to do in and through Joseph’s life. But, Joseph needed some refining and sanctification before he could minister to his family and forgive his brother’s. His life was not easy…but he understood God’s purpose clearly. “God sent me here before you…It was not you who sent me here, but God…” Genesis 45:7-8

Our callings don’t come easily. Out of misery comes ministry. Don’t give up…persevere! Find joy in the journey.

Pray boldly today for resolve and determination like Joseph. Exhibit indomitable trust in the One who is equipping you. I love the last part of Dr. Packer’s statement, “perhaps God is preparing us for forms of service of which at present we have no inkling.” 

Praying for you my faith sister! Walk boldly in His confidence!