There it was…
Catching me off guard…
Stopping me in my tracks…
So strangely out of place…
Getting my complete attention the minute
I opened the doors to this church I was visiting.
An old Volkswagen towing a surfboard parked inside the foyer for reasons I was intrigued to know why.
A mystery God wouldn’t reveal until months later, but revolved around the reason I was speaking at a ladies conference that Saturday morning in the first place.
The story began months prior and finding me minding my own business and perfectly content, serving God behind the scenes as a writer and blogger.
But then over coffee with a longtime friend, God was about rustle my comfortable nest and thrust me into the winds of the unknowing, testing my wings of faith when my trusted sister inquired if I’d be willing to speak at a conference she was hosting.
My answer is found in an excerpt of a former blog of mine…
When Opportunity Comes
By Lori A Alicea
Among the lively conversations shared around each table that morning at this local eatery, privately I was having a Moses moment with God, reluctantly responding as Moses did when God presented an opportunity long ago,
“Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent (of speech)…”
Exodus 4:10 NIV
It’s easy to hide behind these written words of mine, a wall of personal security.
Though, while I’m not afraid of testifying God’s Word before others, I tried to justify “my lack of eloquence” to my friend.
In my scarcity of confidence, I questioned if I had anything worthwhile to offer, yet I am encouraged by Author and speaker Lisa Bevere’s words…
Offer God whatever He has placed in your hand – whatever is in your care or control. Offer it up for heavenly purposes and see what God will do. As we release what is in our hands, He releases what is in His.
Then I am reminded in the quiet time of my prayers…
God hath need of thee, to multiply my life’s message and feed a room full of hungry people; if only I’d be willing to offer my ordinary lunch to Him in my “yes”.
_________________________________
I SAID YES.
One Saturday morning the alabaster jar of my testimony was broke open and poured out over a room full of ladies and men; a hillside of wild flowers and fragrance wafted to the heavens as an offering of praise to our Lord.
The healing waters gently flowed through those hearts and tears of ones hurting during a conference titled, “Beloved.”
All glory to an almighty God.
Then I returned back home to my comfortable nest…
Or so I thought.
I couldn’t shake that old Volkswagen and surfboard waiting for me when I arrived at the Beloved conference.
I continuously inquired of God its meaning.
This scene was personal and gripped my emotions upon first glance.
As a child, our driveway was a parking lot full of Volkswagen’s awaiting my father’s mechanic hands to fix them.
Our military son and family living in Hawaii, all love to surf.
This personal scene is an illustration to the story God is about to unveil and read from the next chapter written for my life…
Destination Adventure.
From one who always played it safe…
Pastor and Author Richard Foth reminds…
We were meant for more than a safe ride when God placed us here. Any part of this life that offers more, requires more, or asks more of us than we are used to is an opportunity to grow more, dream more, and be more than we are now.
This personal scene was a setup from God, who knows me intimately and sees those hidden heart strings tied to His daughters emotions.
God was asking more of me.
To dream more, to risk more, to stop playing it safe.
“But what would I offer Him this time?”
Pastor Erwin Lutzer said, “A faithful God does not expect you to do what you cannot. He supplies the needed strength.” As we faithfully serve God, He gives us the strength we need for the tasks He has placed in front of us.
So go in the strength you have…
Judges 6:14 NIV
God wasn’t asking me to barrel the big waves.
No, He was only asking a child to take those first few steps in the shallow, finding herself in the deep waters one day in the future.
Looking close inside this Volkswagen is a silent greeting of aloha, a lei welcoming me to this adventure.
Looking even closer, you notice the Jesus license plate, our faithful Lord who goes before us, leading the way.
Life is a wilderness, but when we invite Jesus to be our Guide, all bets are off.
Any way you slice it, those things spell adventure.
Pastor and Author Richard Foth
It’s time to stop playing it safe and jump into the unknowing; whatever the unknowing looks like.
Destination Adventure is God’s personal book for me I recently opened, where Chapter One only instructs me to take the first step, to jump and take a risk.
If you don’t take the risk, you forfeit the miracle.
Pastor and Author Mark Batterson
And to get excited for the unknowns of Chapter Two and beyond…
Another excerpt from…
When Opportunity Comes
By Lori A Alicea
My friend stirred up the excitement in me through a song written by Pastor Mike Jr; excitement I stir up in your opportunities as well; that God’s getting ready to move…and it’s going to be BIG…
Song BIG
By Pastor Mike Jr.
….
You ought to declare that over your own life
That it’s my time
And I can feel it.
Breakthrough is in the room.
God’s getting ready to move.
Listen, you ought to declare this over your own life, say it
For I know my God is working miracles just for me
And it’s going to be BIG…