This Sunday's First Reading in Mass tells us the story of Samuel. In 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19, the LORD calls Samuel while he is sleeping. Samuel awakes, runs to Eli, and says, "Here I am. You called me." Eli replies, "I did not call you." This happens three times, when Eli recognized that the LORD was calling Samuel. Eli encourages Samuel to go back to bed, and when he hears the LORD call him to reply, "Speak LORD, your servant is listening."
The intention of three is not lost on me. I have found in my own life. When God wants to encourage, reassure, or teach me something He does so (almost always) in three's. A friend of mine calls these reminders, 'Godwinks.' It is truly as if God is winking at you and saying, I am with you. I love when this happens. A simple example is actually found in the beginning of The Encouraged Believer. Starting this community was something that was on my heart for a while, but the fear of what others thought paralyzed me. I was more worried that I was going to find myself isolated by talking openly about my faith. Will people think I'm crazy? Who am I to talk about God-I'm not educated or well-versed in the Bible? Why would anyone wan to read this? The feeling to start The Encouraged Believer kept pulling harder and harder on my heart. (And, if you've ever had God place a calling on your heart, you know it gets stronger in a call to action type of way). Entering 2015, with my mantra of Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4) I listened to the call on my heart and The Encouraged Believer began. Feeling vulnerable and unsure, I wrote and put it out there wrapped in a prayer. I received a verbal encouragement, email, and text from three different people within 24 hours. They were my Godwinks.
This weekend while on a run with a new running group, a new friend shared his testimony, and in it was story of a calling, found in three prompts. Amazing how God communicates with us.
You see, I'm in Tampa right now for a three week training. I'm starting a new job, and if I'm being completely honest I'm totally outside of my comfort zone. I'm struggling with the 'he who is in the world part.' I've always associated what my profession was with what my calling was. I'm learning, God will use us is so many ways throughout the journey of our lives. It may not be easy, it may feel like we are going wherever the wind blows, but the truth is if we keep our eyes on Him we will find our way to where He calls us.
A few months ago, I listened to a podcast sermon given by my friend JoJo Herndon. In this sermon, he talks about God's calling on our lives. Many times we pray, 'God, let your will be done," but then we don't do anything. We just sit...and wait...for IT to happen. JoJo reminds us in his sermon to pray for faith and courage to move towards God's calling on our lives. Pray to have the strength and confidence to take a chance, make a change, or take the first step. When I'm scared about a big decision, I find reassurance in Romans 8:28, "We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose." It's my reminder. As long as I keep my eyes on Him and seek Him (through prayer, action, love, etc) then he will work all my actions for his Glory. Many of my childhood experiences are evidence that God can take the broken and use it to glorify him in the most interesting ways.
So as I sit on the dock of the bay (literally), writing this post, I find myself praying about this now journey in my life. I'm scared, I'm a little embarrassed of my frequent job changes since 2013 (when I lost my job-that's for another post, another day), and I'm taking on a completely new adventure. (Hey, I just realized, this is my third job since 2013, and you know how I feel about 3's!) I'm reminding myself that God assures us when we answer, "Speak LORD, your servant is listening." Seek Him and you will see him. Ask him and you will hear him. Pray, for He is always with you.
Stay Encouraged and God Bless,
Angie
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