Joy In The Calling

 

Where did it all begin? That is what I think when people ask me to give my testimony. Perhaps, when I was five, here and there when I was 12 or 13, just a little bit more when I was in my twenties; although I think it really began when I had nowhere else to go, when I felt like I was drowning in my own sorrow and pain, and I cried out, “Lord, what I am to do, where do I go, I am so lost.” He said, “I need you to meet me, Every. Single Day in My Word and to pray without ceasing.”

Being, “saved,” being, a “child of God,” is not just a one-sided relationship, but what relationship is? The very definition of relationship is – the state of having shared interests or efforts; connecting or binding participants. I wasn’t even a participant really. I knew Who the Lord was; I could quote you a few lines of scripture; I even went to church on Sunday. Yet, I wasn’t connecting with God, I definitely did not have shared interests or make that much of an effort to have a relationship with my heavenly Father.  nor did I ever apply His word to my life…

“But someone will say, “You have
faith, and I have works.” Show me
your faith without your works, and
I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one
God. You do well. Even the demons believe – and tremble! But do you
want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not
Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on
the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works,
and by works faith was made perfect?

James 2:18-22

As I began to give myself to this relationship with Christ, the rewards of joy, friendship, and delight in God’s path for my life began pouring in. I remember very well, how the Lord started putting Godly
women in my path, women in the homeschooling trenches, and women in the midst of the fiery storm of life that fully rely on God. These women became friends and mentors that have encouraged, prayed, and inspired me in times of need.

As I began on this new journey with God, He rewarded me with joy at a refreshing and renewing retreat with like minded women who love the Lord and felt called to homeschool their children. I had the opportunity to hear some amazing women led by God speak about their homeschool journeys and pray and worship with them. Rachael Carmen, whom started this retreat; spoke straight to my heart, when she spoke about prayer. She made sure that during the retreat there were prayer sessions for after every worship session, this was balm to my heart. She spoke about spending time on
your knees with God and having a “knee” friend, someone who is willing to come with you in prayer on their knees. I can’t explain the feeling of praying on your knees in earnest to our Lord, to sometimes feel like I could reach out and touch His robe or feet.

This brings me to delighting in God’s path for my life. During this season of my life the Lord has charged me with being a prayer warrior for others that are on the battlefield of life in this world. He has also charged me with raising three blessings.

 

This is my season of learning, renewing, praying, and guiding, I cannot wait for what God has in store for me in my next season of life. By following His path and being content and delighted in His work, He has brought me great joy in this season already. Joy in knowing that as I pray and intercede for others, I am being used by Him and I get to see so many lives changed as I keep in touch and see how God works in their lives through answered prayers. Joy in watching my kids apply God’s word in their own lives and make their relationship with God a lifestyle at a young age, ask questions about his Word and delve into it with me, and earnestly pray with the faith of a child.

No matter your station, situation, season, or circumstance; God can use you right where you are. As you search His word and get on your knees with him in prayer, open your heart to His path for your life. Have faith as he leads you and be content in His direction. Don’t expect EASY, do expect JOY!

“For ye see your calling, brethren,
how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many
noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world
to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world
to confound the things that are mighty; And the base things of the
world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things
which are not…That no flesh should glory in his presence”

1 Corinthians 1:26-31



Kelli

Guest blogger Kelli Miller is the owner of Lady of the Barn. There, she discussed Homeschooling, Homemaking, Her personal walk with God, and life in a barn. For the past several years, though, she has followed the leading of the Lord to leave her blog where it was and to focus solely on her main calling, discipling the little ones God has so richly blessed her with.