Over the past few months, I have slowly gone from optimistic about all the New Year’s Resolutions I have, to discouraged and nearly burned out. But now I am more confident than ever before!
How did this happen? Well… Jesus.
So, I launched the year with the goals to: run a marathon by Christmas (with small steps between), eat healthier, increase my working capacity and focus, among other things. The list was comprehensively long.
It started strong, but then failed. Then failed again. And again. FAILURE.
I got to the point where I was feeling incompetent and had no personal-life boundaries. I lost motivation in work, because I could not find a way through the pile of to-dos. I even started to get short and irritable with the people closest to me.
Sorry, I do not mean for this to be a depressing update, because it is not! God got me through it!
When I was at my lowest, it was time for YWAM Harpenden (my home campus in the UK) to have our bi-annual “Community Days.” It is a time for all staff to come together for two mornings during the week and seek the Lord and his vision for us as a campus.
I went into Community Days disheartened. I was to the point of nearly throwing in the towel and taking a break from missions.
But lo and behold, the Holy Spirit showed up. Not only did he show up to me, but also to the people around me. He spoke through them to give me affirmations about what I was going through, and how he was calling me to more than what I was walking in.
Some words that were from the Lord:
“You are anointed to call people out into their calling with authority.” and “You are going to be able to see people’s potential and encourage them in it.”
And
“You are to walk in the pastoral and leadership giftings.” and “You will have a large influence and be a great leader.”
These confirmed some things that I was thinking, but had discounted them because of being disheartened.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12
Since getting involved with YWAM, I have been hesitant to walk in the leadership I had been given. I thought that people would say things like, “you don’t have the education for that” or, “you are too young to be in that position.”
Since Community Days, my leaders and mentors (without my mentioning my experience at the event) have been pushing for me to be more in the forefront and giving me more leadership opportunities. I have even received 2-4 offers of mentorship since the beginning of the Community Days to help me develop in leadership and in skill.
Even though I have been assured in my calling and where the Lord is leading, I have never felt THIS strong and confident about what He is calling me to and how to walk it out.
I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for this next season!
University of the Nations Maritime Academy Update:
I had a discussion a few days ago with one of YWAM’s international leaders, and as a result, along with what the Lord has been talking to me about, we see that the vision and potential for the Maritime Academy is WAY bigger than any of us had imagined.
It is clear that what we are doing with building the Maritime Academy is new territory, and territory the enemy does not want us to take. In order for this vision from the Lord to come to pass, we need an army of prayer warriors to join the mission! Are you willing to join the call?
If you are willing to join the movement, please download this this prayer guide we put together (linked here) and, if possible, set an alarm on your phone for 12pm everyday as a reminder to pray for this mission for the nations!
How has the Lord worked in your life recently? I would love to hear your stories!
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