Follow the Yellow Brick Road

I officiated my first funeral this past week. It was for the husband of my cousin. This was my first time serving a family during a difficult time, trying to remember all I have learned this far. When my cousin asked me, I felt honored because that meant she trusted me enough to know what to do when she didn't. I met with the family several times, learning about the deceased and navigating through unknown territory with funeral homes/directors. As I wrote the eulogy , tending to the wishes of the family and not my own ideas. I kept it simple and prepared the "message" being sensitive to the family's wishes and felt I honored them/him.

As the day of the service approached I had some dialog with one of my sister's in law about the services. She offered me good luck and then said, "Public speaking doesn't make you nervous". I answered her with a, "Not really", which she responded, "I would pass out, haha". Of course this is how most people feel and I would be lying if I said public speaking doesn't make me nervous because it does but only a little. But when you are called to do something then you do it nervous, scared, anxious but you do it because it is something you have a passion and a calling for. You see my sister in law is an RN, she is a capeless superhero! And I told her that if I had to do her job I would be in a panic...there is no way I could sit on top of a gurney doing CPR on a person as they come out of an ambulance, or stitch a child that has been mauled by a dog, or watch as a person slips through the veil of death; That is not my calling but it is hers. In that short text conversation, I realized that when you are called into something, it truly doesn't scare, intimidate, or prevent you from doing what you love to do or for the purpose God has created you.

The more I walk with the LORD the more I want to venture into what He calls me to, even when it seems impossible or doesnt make sense. Isn't that what we read about in all the different narratives of the Bible. Moses goes to free the Hebrews from Pharaoh (Exodus 3), Noah builds a vessel when rain was probably never seen fall from the sky (Genesis 6), Daniel doesn't bow to the idol and survives the night in a den with hungry lions (Daniel 6). Being called to fulfill your purpose in His Kingdom is not always easy but if you do it as God has asked then you will not fail. "You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:9(b) & 10 ESV. Listening to the voice of God is following His direction, and the stops we make along the way may be so we can serve as He has ordained. It's like when Dorothy is told by Glenda the Good Witch to, "follow the yellow brick road". If Dorothy would have gone on her own way she may have never had wonderful friendships, nor made it to OZ or have defeated the Wicked Witch and been able to go home.

The direction of God can always be trusted and that is what I have learned. I learned during this specific event that I can get up in front of a room of people, whether I know them or not, to speak and encourage those in the room - that is the calling I have received. To speak, to be the vessel, the mouthpiece - whether for the LORD or for those who cannot do it themselves. It doesn't make me nervous, it gives me confirmation that what I heard God speak to me a few years ago is truly what He has called me into. So whether you're a stay at home mom, teacher, police officer, firefighter, preacher, artist, gardener - I would suppose you are fulfilling your God given purpose. The question then could be, does it give you joy to fulfill this purpose? God wants us to have a life of purpose and direction, "The good life is a process, not a state of being. It's a direction not a destination." - Carl Rogers. I like this quote because it reminds me that I am following God's direction to His destination - the yellow brick road - and not my own. So what direction do you want to go? And what is your destination? If it is something God has called you to, He will be there as you do it - that I know for certain! God's purpose can seem so unreal, but if it is truly what He has created for you to do then there is no stopping you!

Warrior On!