Chapter Destiny- Part 2

Hey pilgrims! It has been way too long. But I trust we are all in good health. I will talk a little today about my new chapter… Looking back, I see where God has set me up for this moment and I did not even understand then what I do now. So let me start from the beginning.

Preparation Period

I returned to Jamaica in 2018 after a long summer of working and a few weeks of relaxation with my family in the United States of America. I came home desiring to spend quality time with the Lord before taking up any employment. My college years were rough and though I maintained my walk with the Lord I had a desire to give Him some undisturbed time, no work and no school, just two lovers spending time getting to better know each other. I remember seeking counsel with my Pastor and he said the same thing to me without me stating my desires, he said; “Sis Liz, many young people come to me after graduation and I point them in the direction of employment or even seek employment for them but for some reason I just believe you should seek the Lord.” I was so broken at the moment because that was exactly how I felt. I knew it was God confirming my desires. I needed to spend time with the Lord. However, I knew my family wouldn’t be so fond of the idea of me just finishing college and staying home instead of working. The thought plagued me for many days but I was determined to do what I felt was the leading of the Lord regardless of it all.

I started intentionally spending time with God. My days spent praying; praying the psalms, praying the promises God made to me, interceding for others, crying for direction and yearning after God. I read a lot of spiritual books that disturbed my comfort, they heighten my desire for the supernatural manifestations of God. Daily I was challenged and I sought to confront the challenges with a desire to experience God in new ways. I can say of a surety, I have. There were days when a few friends would come over to join in my intentional pursuit of Christ. I have garnered strength from those moments.

I cannot forget even if I try how this year started. I remember coming from Watch Night service feeling so broken and I could not understand why. I sat on the edge of my seat in the taxi and I just could not wait to get home to meet with my Lover. So many things were happening around me and with me personally but deep was calling out to deep and I had to respond. I got home and all I could do was to fall prostrate in prayer, crying and surrendering my will to the Lord. It was in that moment of brokenness I recommitted my life to the Lord and gave Him total ownership of my heart; “whatever it is Lord, even if it takes me out of my comfort zone, Lord I am willing to do it just for Your glory”. I found myself praying this way and I didn’t fully understand why, I knew my will was broken and God was going to do what He purposed before time.

There was an heavenly call that I had responded to in that moment of prayer, I was ignorant of it but it was time that revealed it to me. There was a desire to present some things I was battling with to the Lord and as such with the guidance of my leaders I went on an extended fast to seek the Lord. Those days spent in prayer and fasting cannot be compared to anything. The Lord truly met with me, embraced, comforted, instructed and assured me of His promises. It was simply life changing. Towards the end of the fasting period I went to an all day prayer and fasting meeting. So many supernatural happenings occurred in that meeting but I remember leaving with a burden to pray for foreign missionaries. I went as far as to print pictures of the world map and I would daily pray for different countries, missionaries and their families.

Within this same period, I was enrolled at the Caribbean Bible Institute of Jamaica where I was being constantly fed with the undiluted word of God, shared in life changing encounters that came from listening my teachers who passionately shared their experiences and revelations as well as growing from the fellowship I had with like-minded young people. One particular night as I sat in class and listened Pastor McHugh share his passion for the ministry I experienced what the disciples did in Luke 24:32: “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?” I sat on the edge of my seat while the words pierced my heart and tears flooded my eyes. I listened and the more he spoke, the more I felt convicted of the fact that as a young single Christian I can do much more for God. I wanted him to finish so I could go home to cry for a burden for the lost. So it was, I had an all night prayer meeting that night. I just wanted God.

Additionally, after reading all the books I did I became tired of the mundane way of life. I started praying to be actively involved in end time revival. I was tired of reading about what others have experienced. I got sick from hearing the testimonies of the elders. I desired to taste, feel, see, better yet be actively involved in end time revival! I told God wherever the revival is, that’s where I wanted to be. I wanted it!

What happened next?

One day I got up, had my devotions and I went on my phone and saw one of my contacts post an advertisement for jobs in China. I cannot say God said, as I don’t remember it to be so, but a desire so strongly sprang for China and I knew that’s where God wanted me to be. I took a screenshot of the advertisement and sent to a friend captioned “let us try this”. It was Labour Day, I remember because my family and I went to St. Thomas to visit my older sister and it was also my brother’s birthday.

I am one who is known as a Mary, I ponder things in my heart and only speak when things come to maturity. Strangely, that day as I stood in my sister’s kitchen with my mom and siblings, I announced to them: “I am going to China to work.” My mom had surprise stamped over her face and my sisters all had amazement and questions. I explained to them and told them I felt it was the Lord’s direction. They all encouraged me and told me go for it. Later that day, I spoke with my friend and it was evident that the desire wasn’t mutual and after some time I understood the call was personal. It was for me.

I told my spiritual mother about the desire and asked her to pray for me. About two weeks later I started the application process. It was a tedious process; days of uncertainty and days of discouragement. I got to a place where I knew it was God and His will for me but I was not sure of the time. I thank God for the support of my elders, and those who prayed and guided me.

A few months later, I am in my living room in China writing this post. A new chapter has started. It was with mixed emotions that I left Jamaica; excited to do God’s will yet sadden by the fact that I had to leave my family and friends behind. Arriving here was not easy, it took me three long days. I almost cried at one point but God comforted me and sent a young lady to assist me. There were a few difficulties that I met upon my arrival but God brought me through one by one.

Things are good not because I am absented from challenges, but because I confront each challenge with the assurance that I am more than a conqueror and I am not alone; I am on the winning side. Life won’t be the same and that is okay. My family and friends are thirteen hours behind but we will communicate when we can. I think positively! I see God’s handy work in each day that I am gifted with. It is all new to me but oh so familiar to God. I trust Him to lead me. I need Him now more than ever. It is a whole new world: food, lifestyle, language 😥 and cultural norms. I need the Holy Spirit’s guidance to help me to navigate through it all.

Not only have I transitioned to a new location, I have also been privileged to see another birthday, 06.10.19! Another beautiful chapter in my life. I cannot begin to thank God for all He has done. (It will take a total different post to talk about this exciting new stage of my growth and development, watch out for it, just maybe there are nuggets from my experiences that can be of benefit to you.)

My Yes

When last have you said yes? When last have your desires bow in reverence to His? When last have you said nevertheless not as I will but Thy will be done? I have come to the realization that every new day that dawns I have to make a deliberate decision to say yes to His will. I realize that I can be situated at the center of God’s will but not do His will. Since the will of God is progressive, it takes a daily seeking after to find the mind of God and develop a heart of obedience to act in accordance. For the first few days after my arrival, I became comfortable because I knew that I was in the will of God, but God spoke with me and have me to understand this truth; a part of my daily consistent prayer life has to be a moment where I seek after His will for the day and say yes to what He requires.

Yesterday yes will not suffice for today or tomorrow. Each day requires a new commitment. So yes, I was prepared for this period and here I am standing in the mystery of time, is that all? No! There remains a daily connection with the Saviour as He deposits in my spirit the things necessary for the moments ahead and give me instructions as to what to do. I desire to daily give God my yes!

Your new chapter may be so different but I trust God to take care of you. He has the ability to do more than you can ask or think, whether big or small, God can do it all. Seek to be consistent in your commitments as you learn the art of daily saying yes to His will. Where God is leading you may not be popular or what you would desire of yourself, but seek counsel with your leaders and be prayerful about it. Just in case you want someone to talk to or just to prayerful muse with you, I am just an email away (lisaneeburke@gmail.com). Until my next post, stay prayed up! Shalom.