Sunday, November 25, 2012

Reflection: Imagine Conference and My Calling

In 2012 I attended a national United Methodist Student conference called, 'Imagine What's Next'. The greatest part of the conference wasn't my amazing small group (I lead a group of 6 girls), the engrossing Gungor Concert, or the inspiring speakers.

It was a lunch-time conversation with Dan Randall.

He is a Duke Divinity graduate, passionate traveler, and GBGM foreign missionary. He gave me the right advice at the right time in my life and I'm forever grateful that I met him.
He reminded me that, when I face trials and obstacles from people in my life it's important to look back on my calling and remember the sign posts that GOD has placed in my life. That, when I feel stuck it's important to reach out, discover, and take the next step. And that, it's MY journey and no one can take it from me.

He reminded me of the story of Samuel and how he used an Ebenezer, or "stone of help", to mark the moment in time when he was strengthened by the Lord, and then he did not lose sight of his mission.

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he said, "Thus far the LORD has helped us." So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel; the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The towns that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath; and Israel recovered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites. (1 Samuel 7:12-14 NRSV)
He also told me of his time at Duke when his advisers told him not to take a second leave of absence from school to go on mission for a year. But he explained to them "this is what you are training me for and this is what God has set me aside for" and he left for France. He returned to Duke to finish his masters knowing that God was leading his life.

Whenever I feel defeated in this journey I have decided to venture on I remember the people God has placed in my life as "stones of help".