Today has been designated as a day of prayer and blogging in preparation for Exploration 2011 . Exploration is an event for young adults who feel a call to ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. It will be held in St. Louis, MO on November 11-13. I have been challenged to write this blog and to share with all of you more about myself and about Exploration.
Many of you know, and I'm sure some of you have no clue, that God has
called me to ordained ministry. For me, this call came clearly when I was 13
years old. (Actually, I should probably clarify that--there's really been
nothing too clear about it!!!) But the first time I distinctly remember feeling
God's tug at my heart. Yes, that's how it started: I was 13 and at
Jr. High Assembly at Hendrix College. We were all in the chapel for worship
when an invitation was given for those who felt a call to ministry,
specifically ordained ministry, to come forward for a group prayer. I remember
all of a sudden getting chills that ran up and down my back, arms and legs. But
they weren't the kind of chills you get when the temperature changes, these
were different; they were chills inside my body. And then I felt a hard but
gentle tug at my heart. (It was
actually a couple of tugs!) AND IT DIDN’T STOP. It hasn’t stop, and I don’t
think it will ever stop. The tug at
my heart is my guiding force, and I know I will always be able to trust in it.
The process of discerning
my call hasn’t been an easy one. In fact, it’s been one of the hardest
processes I’ve been through. But it has also been the most rewarding and most
exciting. And I couldn’t be more excited to learn more about where God will be
leading me in my life; I couldn’t be more excited than to wake up every day,
walking (or at least doing my best) with Christ, following Him and his
guidance—following the tug that
occurs at my heart when I know something is right. I’ve never found anything
that brings me greater joy than ministry does. I’ve never found anything to be
more passionate about that worshipping my God, teaching others about him and
his Word or pretty much anything that involves Christ and ministry.
I am SO excited about Exploration
2011. The theme of the weekend is Passion & Possibility. I can't think of a better theme for the weekend! I think this is going to be a
great opportunity for me to explore my calling, to share with others my
calling, to listen to other young adults callings and to WORSHIP with other
young adults! (I think that’s what I’m MOST excited about!!) I hope that I am
challenged, changed and blown away by God (and others) at this event. I hope to
come to a better understanding of my call, but more importantly I hope to be
able to trust God more, and to realize that it’s okay not to have all the
answers.
I want to challenge and ask that YOU (yes YOU!) to pray for myself and
for the other young adults who will be attending this event. Pray for the
design team and others involved in planning and organizing this event.