As I sit here looking back over 2010, I am amazed! Seriously, if you would have asked me one year ago where I’d be in one year, I can say without hesitation I would have not even came close to the answer.
I do remember as I begin to prepare for 2010 through study and prayer God was stirring something in my heart. I could feel it was something new, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Do you ever have those moments? You sense God is going to move you in some way, but the clarity is still not there. Well, that’s where I was . . . preparing and wondering if I’d EVER get clarity over what was stirring in my heart. (As my friends say, “That’s Alene, she’s praying that C word again! Clarity.)
The year started off with a bang; speaking, organizing studies, and writing a new devotional. But somewhere in the midst of everything I loved, something felt a little off course.
It wasn’t until around February when part of the mystery began to come together. Bay Area Fellowship, my home church, announced they were going to open a campus on the westside of town. An area that is impoverished and saturated with crime. At the first utterance of those words, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that was where God was leading me.
I started going over and painting and helping get children’s areas ready. It seemed the more I was over there the more I desired to be there. And what was strange is I had no clue what I was doing . . . I only knew that God was called me there.
I’ve never lived in an area like this. I’ve never taught or ministered in an area like this. Basically, I knew nothing about this area, but my heart fell in love with the people from day one.
So although I would have been totally wrong if you asked me what I would be doing last year, I can honestly say I’m so glad God came down and tugged at my heart. Yes! His plans are always magnificent. And always more than I can ever imagine.
I just wonder, if you asked me today what I’ll be doing this time next year if I’d get it right.
Probably not, because God’s plans are much bigger than anything I could ever come up with! To that I just say, Hallelujah!
Clarity. What a profound thing. I'm so glad you can see some of what God is doing in and with you. My He continue to bless your ministry.
Restless. Yep, that's how I've been feeling for the last several months…I needed this reminder!
love,
Tammy
Oh Alene, tell me more about what you are doing on this new campus. Sounds like you have read Radical and are doing the Radical Experiment, maybe?
I'm asking the Lord to show me where He wants me to serve outside my normal context.
Leah
Praise be to God! It is so time all of us get out of the box. My ministry at the Village felt like that for me…a fresh wind taking me places I would have never put myself but loving it. There is MORE to come Alene! I think we are supposed to help others get out of the building also. My last post of the year was Small feet, Big Dreams. His Dreams are so much bigger than I could put together. The Dream Giver is at work! Hugs, B
Thank you for the reminder `God's plans are much bigger than anything I could ever come up with!`
I need this right now.
Girls – God has big plans we can't even imagine.
@Leah – Well, God was stirring in my heart. Then I read Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. I got more messed up. Then between God, His word, and a book by Jenn Hatmaker "Interrupted". I was beside myself and had a lot of quesiotns. Then God began to put the pieces together and I read Radical by David Platt and that was total confirmation right there.
Yep, I'm one messed up girl, but loving every minute of it!