GOD IS ON THE MOVE - ENTRY #4
If you want to know how things are going between you and God all you have to do is ask yourself…”What stories do I have of God working in and through me?”
If you happen to lack stories in your life right now…do not be discouraged—be encouraged! This blog series is intended to inspire you to pursue the life you want to live. Stories of God’s movement in your life are literally a decision away, a prayer away, or a step away. Sometimes we have to have the courage to make a decision, make the commitment to pray through, or the faith to step into places of uncertainty.
We’re excited to share another story of good among us.
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STORY #4 -- BY SABRINA MACKEY
Our family found OKC Community Church in June of 2013 month, thanks to an invitation from some friends. Since that time, our lives have dramatically changed. Not only the day-to-day, but also in the way we envision the future God might have for us. In the “Ancient Stories” series one of the messages talked about the idea of a "silent beckoning" that calls us out of where we are towards where God wants us to be. I was glad to finally have words to articulate something that has been stirring deep in my heart. That feeling of, "Isn't there more than this?" Or, "Wasn't I made for more than this? What is my purpose in being here?" Something inside had been telling me, "Yes, if you are willing, there is more!" This sort of dream in the back of my mind, that maybe, just maybe this normal, everyday life with an 8-5 job, living in the suburbs of the Bible Belt isn't all He has for us.
Last August, I had what I would call a "vision." I know, that sounds totally crazy, right? This "vision" came after two and half years of praying and asking God what He wanted me to do. My career had come to a standstill and every promotion opportunity had been unfruitful and I was stuck, but this silent beckoning was still there. It's as though the Spirit was whispering, "There's more." Then this vision came. In this vision I was on a medical mission team with my husband, Drew, and we were providing care for people in some other country after a disaster of some kind. This was all well and good, except for one problem: I'm not in the medical field. Drew is an RN, but I'm not and up to this point I have never had any inclination to work in the medical field whatsoever. So, I did what anyone would do: I argued with God. Our marriage had already experienced the stress of nursing school once, and I wasn’t sure we could survive it a second time? And what will Drew say? He's going to think I'm nuts. I continued to pray for about a month before I talked with Drew about it. He did think I was nuts, by the way, and he asked me a million questions, none for which I had an answer. There are still so many unanswered questions. But with Drew's blessing and support, I began taking pre-nursing classes last spring.
I can't say enough how much I appreciate the prayers and encouragement of those around us who know the difficult nature of this journey. The ones who have fervently prayed for me and for Drew and our boys...it's quite humbling. I have watched Drew come around to a place where he is dreaming of a different kind of future for us than he ever thought about before. His support through every class, every semester, every exam, and every day is invaluable. And I can't say enough about the ladies in our church, who have been such a huge support, willing to lift me up in prayer when I have a big exam coming up or when the stress of managing school, work, and family gets to be overwhelming.
I still don't have all the answers, but I have guidance and direction for step one: nursing school. Once that is complete, then God will do what He always does and provide the answers to the other questions at just the right moment. I'm in a place of perseverance, because this really is a marathon. So, I pray for strength and renewal each day and hope that somehow in the chaos I can find balance to be the wife, mom, student, and coworker that I need to be. And this whole idea that each one of us, individually, can do things that matter, excites me. Because we can't forget that we are His big master plan. It's up to us to have the courage to step out of the boat, knowing and believing that He goes before us to prepare the way, He goes with us, cheering us on, and He's still there as we continue the journey. I love OKC Community and the people that make it what it is. I love that God is speaking through His people and touching lives. I love that I love going to church. The past sixteen months have literally changed my life in a big way.
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If you have a story that you’d like to share with us please CONTACT US and we’d love to hear it.