As I write this post, I am sitting in the Crosswalk office listening to the sound of the rain against the roof. Correction: torrential downpour. The only reason I am still in here is to evade going out into the wonderful (sarcasm) mid-western weather for as long as humanly possible. If it were not against the rules, I would potentially just set up a cot seeing as the couch is extremely uncomfortable to sleep on.
Here I go rambling again!
Life has been full of many wonderful opportunities with many open doors. God is providing so many ways for me to serve Him that it just feels unreal! I am very humbled by it all. One of the most exciting that I have coming up is the alternate chapel I get to lead.
God has given me a message for the girls of this campus on us and our body image. That is the only detail that will be given for now because some of the girls of the wonderful Evangel University campus read my blog, and I do not want to ruin anything for them. ;) This is the one time that I am actually being good about keeping it a secret until the chapel! Plus, my message is still in the works, but this is only a technical detail. ;) Everything has just fallen into place. Pastor John (our campus pastor) is completely game for all of it, and I have the support of many of the female leaders of this campus. I am so blessed to have all of them backing me. God has opened all the right doors, and all I have had to do is walk through them.
At first, I was super hesistant about doing this chapel. For one, it has absolutely nothing to do with me, and I had no desire for it to turn into anything of the sort. This chapel is about Jesus, and this chapel is about the girls of this campus. I just get to be the vessel that shares her story and her struggles. Secondly, I was just plain scared to ask if I could. There is something a little intimidating about going up and asking for permission to speak in front of the female student body. However, like always, God opened the door. It is amazing what happens when we just do what He asks. I love the conversations I have with God:
God: "Emily, I want you to do this chapel."
Me: "Um, are you sure that I'm really the one you want to do this? And what if they don't go for it? And I just don't know if I know what to do to get it all going. I mean, it would be an amazing opportunity, but are you sure?" (I love how I asked the God of the Universe if He was sure. Still makes me laugh. These are just the sum of all things called excuses.)
God: "Emily, I want you to do this chapel. Go ask Pastor John. He is standing right there."
Emily: "God, let's be real here. I'm a little nervous to go ask. And when I get nervous I ramble and blubber up my words."
God: "Emily..."
Emily: "Alright, alright, I'll ask."
Huh, funny what happens when I actually do what I'm told. Of course, that's my interpretation of that conversation with the Lord. I hope it made some sort of sense.
I feel so humbled that the Lord has chosen me to be His vessel for this particular night. My prayer is just that He will speak through me and that lives will be touched and healed through it. I know it's not me. I just pray that I am prepared enough and open enough to be used effectively.
Not only do I have some amazing opportunities, but I am surrounded by some incredible friends. I have so much support and so many people have already told me they are going to be there to hear me and support me. I have people driving into town just for this one night, and I feel humbled yet again. The love I feel around me is so overwhelming.
My dear friend Emily Nance came into town this past weekend, and it was so wonderful to see her. She is off to the World Race in January, and I could not be more proud. The Lord has opened some incredible doors for her as well, so if you think about it, keep her in your prayers. The Lord has some amazing plans for her life, and I cannot wait to see where He takes her. I am beyond blessed to be her friend. She's a wonderful addition to my close circle of friends.
In fact, I'm blessed period by all of the amazing friends I have surrounding me all the time. God reminds me daily of how lucky I am to have the friends and the family that I do. It's funny how so many times I try to question God yet He has had it figured out all along. Maybe one day I'll learn. I'm just glad I serve a God who is not afraid of my questions. I'm glad He takes me and molds me from who I've been into who I'm becoming.
So, as this next month unfolds, I will let you all know how the Lord works out all of these amazing opportunities. I cannot wait to see what He does. :)
Until then, I have rambled enough. It is time to face the current storm that has again struck the greater Springfield area.
Love you guys,
Em
