I have been studying an amazing book by John Perkins, Beyond Charity. In this book, he states that, “God's will exist whether or not I exist or respond. It is objective. But the call of God is where my feelings, my talents, my very gut response to God makes a difference, because it is a summons to a special place or situation in which I can do God's will with the special and unique equipment he has provided me. As believers we can find complete unity in God's will.” (Eph. 4: 1-6) This was such a challenge to myself! I know without a shadow of a doubt I am called to love all people and serve as a vessel to reach the people of the inner city. What does that look like? Am I being intentional about this day to day? Is God looking down thinking, “Well done!” I hope so, but, wow!  #challenged! Those verses in Ephesians talk about being a prisoner for the Lord, not to Him, but, FOR HIM and with that follows, v1 “A life worthy of the calling you have received.”

I pray that through being that Director of Student of Support Services at Acts 2, helping staff lead their programs in the ways they feel God has spoken to them, living life with kids, plugging them in to programs or introducing them to someone they can talk to. JUST BEING THERE. Spending time on my knees for the city.Talking to the Lord about what I see; what I understand and what I don't.  Going into the homes of our familes and showing them that I care. About who they are, about what they have going on; not in a judgemental sort of way but in a way that I know Christ has called me to be. All in grace in mercy. Something I quite honestly struggle with, but God is growing me daily.  Are all of these things, combined with raising my six children and being a wife to my husband,  a “life worthy of the calling you have received.” I pray it is.

John Perkins made a great point, God's will exists, whether or not I do. I desperately want to be part of the call He has placed on my life so I will continue to bask in His word, walk with Him daily, and take comfort in knowing that though not perfect that God takes broken people all of the time and does great things for Him.  1 Peter 1 :22 “ Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.”

by:  Rachel S. Crawford
Director of Student Support Services