This is All New to Me!

I love that man I married, but his life plans never included being a minister! I never imagined God would or could use two people like us, but He has been molding and changing us recently and I am eager to follow Him. I am thrilled and humbled that God called my husband to ministry. And since we are married, that means changes for my life too!

Peek into this unexpected life venture with me. Random thoughts seem to come out of nowhere. Oooh, I’ve never lived intimately with a minister before! What will that be like? Will our life become sterile and boring? Will he want to preach to me all the time, and never be fun again? Is God certain I can be a minster’s wife? I just expected to be his wife.

I must confess that my heart swells with joy as I look at this new direction for our lives, and for now, no sacrifice seems to dissuade us. Of course, assaults against us have been both quick and fierce. Family is at the top of the list of people who didn’t understand or rejoice with us. It seems that already people view us differently, or expect perfection from us, and, of course, that’s impossible!

I had no one to mentor me or guide through the maze of decisions we faced. No insights. We merely had to trust God with our direction and changes, much like Abraham who left all to go on a journey with no known destination.

And, what a journey we began! There was joy, and sadness, and hesitation. The one single thing that sustained us both is the strong sense of call. It was the clear understanding that Almighty God touched our lives and set us apart for His work, whatever that meant.

Trusting God like idealistic young children, we began. Read with me about Abraham.  “The Lord said . . . Go out from___________ to the land that I will show you . . .  So _______[Abram] went . . . He took his wife __________” Exodus 12:1–5.

God asked a man to leave his home and comfortable place and go. His life became the journey to to that place God designated. Following and obeying God meant moving, leaving, traveling into His Place, an unknown place. Abram said yes. He shared with his wife and brought her along for the journey.

Reflect on the passage from Exodus. When God called you and your husband, did He ask you to leave some familiar place? How long did it take you to identify that first destination? How quickly did you obey? Are you you willing to trust God to lead your husband, and are you willing to go with him there?

Pray about your willingness to follow. Obedience to God’s call is the only response that gives joy and peace. If this is a struggle for you, ask the Father for a willing heart of trust.

If you are just joining us today, please feel free to read the introduction to this devotional series.

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