(reflection for the week of June 3-9)
The last 4 weeks have been spent settling into my new home, bonding with my new family, getting to know the area, attending meetings and conducting trainings. I have met amazing people! I have been blessed to visit the mission areas of Red Deer and Fort McMurray and spend time with their youth who are so eager to get to know God more. It has been one amazing month and to think it’s only my first month as a fully pledged fulltime pastoral worker. Fulltime work has a steep learning curve but with the Holy Spirit, passion, and discipline that incline is simply a launching board into the heavenly experiences that await.
When you make that decision, when you respond to God’s call for your life, in whatever way He plans, you are openly inviting God to overwhelm you and trust me when I say that is an invitation He won’t refuse. God has shown me such beauty, not only in nature but through the hearts of those I serve. He has allowed me to feel the depth of His care and compassion but He has also allowed me to feel the brokenness of what breaks His own heart. He has opened my eyes to see His unique signature in everything and everyone and He has heightened my senses to know that He is near me always.
Let’s stop looking at ‘overwhelmed’ as a word to describe a burden, rather that we use ‘overwhelmed’ as a word to describe how we feel about God’s immense love for us. A love that gives, even when we don’t deserve it. A love that relentlessly pursues and seeks us out and meets us where we are. A love that wants to remind us daily of His presence and His guidance.
Lord, please never stop overwhelming my heart.