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"Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the
curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your
cords and strengthen your stakes" (Isaiah 54:2).
Remember the story of Rebekah in Genesis 24, how she went with an unknown
servant to meet an unknown man, Isaac, and became his wife. That took faith!
Rebekah must have realized that God was opening the door to a new life in a new
location.
It is in Women of the ELCA that God has opened unexpected doors for me.
Thirteen months after a mild stroke, I was elected synodical president, though
I was only to be the second name on the ballot. God "enlarged the site of
my tent" and provided all that I needed. A global education and advocacy
tour to Malaysia "stretched out the curtains of my habitation."
Serving on the churchwide executive board has "lengthened my cords."
But how do we strengthen our stakes? I don’t belong to a camping family, but
it makes sense that you need larger and stronger stakes if your tent has
enlarged. I have found that it is through prayer and Bible study, commitment to
our Lord in trust and praise, that we get the courage to step through the door
that God holds open for us and beckons us through.
Have you heard God calling you? Perhaps it was a still, small voice or a
little nudge to action. Are you talented in the line of music or art? Churches
are searching for people like you. Are you bound to a wheelchair? You can move
mountains as God calls you to a ministry of intercessory prayer. Are you like
me, a person who enjoys meeting people and attending conventions? Nominating
committees would love to have your name! I believe two things. First, God doesn’t
ask us to do something unless God has already given us the gifts we will need
to do it. Second, what the Lord leads you into, the Lord will lead you through,
and you will find a new comfort zone.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, give us ears to hear your call and a willing heart to follow your
leading. Amen
Nancy Christian is a former vice president of Women of the ELCA.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible,
copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and are used
by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright
© 2002 Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. All rights
reserved.
May be reproduced for use in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America provided the copyright information above appears on
every copy with these words: Used with permission.
For all other purposes
contact Women of the ELCA.
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