What Is Holding Back Your YES?

Recently, I have felt a tug on my heart for people living in poverty around the world.  I knew that tug was from the Lord, for it wouldn't leave me, and He kept putting people with similar feelings in my life and placing books about the topic right in front of me.  As I prayed for focus, God did just that.  He led me to Compassion International, a ministry that focuses on individual children living in poverty and their development. The more I learned, the more I needed to be a part of what was happening in this incredible organization.  Finally one day, I watched this video, and at that point, I knew.  I just KNEW. 

I watched this little girl, Halena, from Indonesia burst into tears of joy when she found out that someone across the world chose to sponsor her and give her the greatest gift - hope.  Through my own tears, I could hear God saying, "THIS.  This is where I need you." 

I thought of the disciples in Matthew 4 from our devotional this week.  Jesus called them to follow him, and they got up immediately and did just that.  So many times in life, I have spent too much time questioning God when I felt His call.  I wasted time digging in my heels and thinking that I couldn't do what He called me to do.  I wasted time feeling:

* not good enough
* not put together enough
* not experienced enough
* not holy enough

Then I began to think about the people God called to ministry in the Bible:
* David was just a boy
* Moses was a murderer with a speech impediment
* The disciples were fishermen
* Mary was just a teen

None of them had the qualifications we would look for in someone to serve.  But they all had one thing in common.  They stepped out in faith and served Him with their lives, no matter the cost.  They heard the call and said YES.

I feel like I don't have near the qualifications to be an advocate for children in poverty, but right now, my calling is clear. I can waste time questioning God and doubting my ability to do what He is calling me to do.  I can stop asking, "What about this?  What about that?" Instead, I can trust that God's Word is true when it says:

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10

Did you get that?  He has PREPARED US IN ADVANCE!  

When He calls you, be ready!  He will call you when HE knows you are prepared.  Have trust and confidence in that.  If you believe that, it will be so much easier to say YES despite your misgivings, doubts, and worries.

Keeping all that in mind, I decided it was time to say YES.  I signed up to be an advocate and blogger for Compassion.  As soon as I hit the submit button on my application, I felt peace and a weight lifted from me, for I knew right now, this is where God wants me.  I am now working with an organization that doesn't just provide people with the incredible chance to give a child hope through sponsorship, but also provides so many other opportunities to give through their programs like Water of Life, Child Survival, Bite Back, and so much more. 

Were you moved by Halena's story and would like to learn more about sponsoring a child(ren) of your own?  Follow this link, and you can learn about the beautiful children who have been waiting for a sponsor of their own, some for over a year!  Is God calling you to help their wait end? 

I chose to say YES.  I have no idea of what is in store for me with this calling, but I am willing to allow God to take the reigns and lead me to where He wants me to go.  What is He calling you to do?  Do you feel Him tugging at your heart today?  I pray you will have the courage to be like the disciples:

Luke 5:11 "And when they had brought their boats to land, they LEFT EVERYTHING and followed him."

Leave your doubts, your worries, your questions and follow Him.

Joyfully,
Ginny

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