Going into Battle

A few months ago I wanted to quit my job. Pack my bags; quit being the children's minister and move far away. After wrestling with God about that for several weeks, praying, listening and seeking godly counsel, I heard from God. My calling to ministry was reaffirmed. This is how I describe it to most people:…

"God showed my that there are two paths. Path one is the road that I wanted. The road that looked the best; no more children's ministry. I wouldn't have to deal whit hurts and frustrations. I would be able to enjoy church and not worry about the kids, I would be done. I could walk this path, no problem. It was clear and straight, well lit. If I chose this path I would also knowingly be walking away from God's call. I would willingly disobey the calling God has on my life right now. God would allow me to go down this path, but the consequences were great for me and the body. The second path looked ugly. Who in their right mind would choose this? This path was dark and filled with obstacles, the path turned and looped back. If it were a real path, it would take twice or three times as long to get from A to B compared to the other path. This was the children's ministry path. This path was the path was full of things: happy parents, upset parents, good kids, fun kids, kids with discipline problems, kids who didn't like to be in my care, and all kinds of other people and situations that look scary. I knew if I chose this path I would never be able to do it alone. This was the path of obedience. This was the path that would please God and not me.

God gave me the choice. He placed the two options in front of me. I did a lot of thinking and I really wanted to pick the first path, I didn't. I chose to walk with God and serve Him and the body. I chose the scary, dark, unknown path of ministry.

So now I should not be surprised that things are hard. I just made a conscious and educated decision about serving God and the enemy is mad. I should not have been thrown of guard when the enemy started attacking me. Today I am going to make a conscious choice to choose God. I am going to let Him be my protection and my shield. No, I am not going to shut down emotionally or spiritually, but I am going to be walking so closely with God that I will rely on Him to fight for me and His arms to protect me because He is able, He my best interest at heart!