GONE A MONTH?

“A MONTH?”  I couldn’t believe it.  “We’re going to be gone a MONTH?”  When I realized the dates of the ministry schedule in NJ with speaking engagements at Bible studies and churches…following the Chosen People Ministries conference in the latter part of June in Virginia, I was ON EDGE!!  What does ON EDGE mean?  I didn’t put too much thought into what ON EDGE means.  At least I didn’t feel as if I was OVER THE EDGE.  At the time, pre-trip, I was focused on the fact that there’s no lull within the Jewish ministry during the summer in AZ.  Yet, it was almost clear that God was leading us to travel back East, by car, to attend the conference and to engage in Jewish ministry activities in NJ and possibly in NY.  “Almost clear”?  The timeframe was throwing me into the wondering mode.  OK, another vague expression…wondering mode.  Wondering about what?  About God’s wisdom in His leading?  Hold the presses!!!  Cathy, you are doubting, you are wavering, you are sinning!!!  The Jewish ministry in AZ is clearly NOT dependent upon me!!  Jewish ministry anywhere is clearly NOT reliant upon me.  Ministry, period, is NOT sustained by me!!  God has proven again and again that what transpires here in AZ – and there in VA and NJ – in the WORLD - is HIS work!  In surrendering to God, I truly began to get excited about what GOD was moving me toward in the way of an evangelistic adventure beyond the AZ state line. 

The trip was wonderful, challenging, difficult and a BLESSING!  The biggest challenge was ME and MY agenda and MY attitude.  (OY – does that ever change?)  I had a picture of an evangelistic adventure. . .that didn’t play out.  Two pre-planned undertakings didn’t materialize.  BUT GOD!!!!!  What did occur, however. . .lovely fellowship with my co-workers at the Chosen People Ministries gathering.  And, our times of delving into God’s word at the conference under the instruction of a Sr. Teaching Fellow at the C.S. Lewis Institute were grand.  Relationships with ministry friends in NJ were strengthened.  Wonderful bonding!  Discussions often centered on outreach ideas.  One such discussion led to the implementation of a new means by which we can reach out to Holocaust survivors.  Connections with churches in heavily populated Jewish areas will prove to be critical moving forward.  And, time spent with family along the way was . . . oh so sweet.  When I got persnickety over the course of the month in focusing on MY agenda and attitude, God slapped me (NYC verbiage for convicted me), took my mind and heart and brought me back to HIS reality – HIS agenda.  Praise God!! 

By the way, “on edge” means tense, nervous, irritable!!!  The lessons learned during the brief trip were invaluable as I zeroed in on Psa.94:19 - In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Your comforts delight my soul.  And, I knew full-well that “thoughts” equate to “anxieties” in some translations!

Throughout the fleeting time away, I was in contact with my faithful friends in AZ, volunteers within the Jewish ministry who were, throughout our absence, engaged in evangelistic adventure!  It hit me on the drive home to AZ that, from the over 20 people who come alongside the Jewish ministry in various ways in AZ, 12 of those folks were teaching Bible studies and Sunday school classes, and visiting Jewish non-believers.  The Jewish ministry in AZ did not skip a beat while God had us on the East Coast.  Of course it didn’t!  God’s work is God’s work.  He has brought these committed people into my life.  How privileged we are to be on the same page in our love for sharing Jesus with Jewish people and in equipping believers to do the same.  How marvelously exciting it is to be partners and to be used of God in whatever capacity…wherever He leads us.  Thank You, God, for Your loving lessons.  Thank you, Lord, for the body of Christ. 

To GOD be the glory ETERNALLY!

Cathy Wilson

cathylouwilson@live.com