I stared out the lodge window and took in a gorgeous scene. A crystal lake reflected pine trees and a periwinkle sky punctuated with marshmallow clouds.
What a beautiful location to get away from my usual life and give some thought to my dreams and longings, the theme of the retreat I was attending. I hoped it would show me what my next step was for the Lord.
I thought back on the desires I already had which just might end up a calling. Many other women lived in the condo where I had moved and this seemed a good place to start for a ministry field. They greeted me when we’d meet in the elevator or at the mailboxes but that was the extent of our contact.
How could I find a better connection with my condo cohorts? Ideas flickered through my mind of possible Bible studies, tea and cookies, luncheons, or even a newsletter.
I had already tried to connect with several other neighbors. One of them came over as a return invitation to tea. We had a nice conversation until she began comparing my condo’s furnishings unfavorably to her own. Another neighbor contact discouraged me when she made excuses for not meeting and I felt blown off.
Had I heard the Lord right? Maybe I should wait until a more definite sign of His direction. I left for the first retreat meeting hoping for just that.
It was exactly what I received. Our leader revealed many gems of wisdom. The most impressive one for me came from an allegorical introduction to one of the chapters of “Seizing Your Devine Moment” by Erwin McManus. The hero, Ayden, was anxiously waiting for orders from God (represented here as Maven) to tell him to begin his quest. After waiting and waiting, Ayden blurted out his question of when to start. Maven immediately answered him, “Now.” While Ayden had been waiting on the God figure Maven, Maven had been waiting for him.
Was God using this message to tell me the same thing? How long I had been considering this and still hadn’t taken a step forward. He could have placed a neon sign in the sky stating, “Start now!” but He wanted me to realize it on my own. I already had all I needed to begin and He would supply anything else along the way.
I didn’t have to start out full speed, but could offer tea and cookies to one neighbor at a time so we could become acquainted. After all, I didn’t want to appear a high-pressure sales person for the Lord. Instead I wanted to develop sincere friendships and not to gather subjects for my “Christian Experiment.” I knew how crushing that experience felt, still smarting from a so-called friendship in the past which turned out to be an effort by this person to build her business. When I said no, she cut me off completely.
The Lord would show me how to be a good neighbor and perhaps even a friend. Maybe in time my new friends and I could start a Bible study. As I took a step out in faith, God would join my efforts and take me on my new adventure with my condo cohorts.
Dianna
Sharing the Fruit of Maturity
