Albany, or Albeeny?

So how does one end up in Albany, Georgia? Good question.

While living in Mobile, Alabama I attended First Baptist North Mobile where I got to know Mark Messick, one of the pastors, and his family. This past November, Mark emailed me saying the children’s pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany was a friend of his, and was looking for an assistant. I was intrigued, and told Mark he could pass my name along. A few days later, David Joiner emailed me explaining what he was looking for and asked if I found myself at a point in my life where I would be interested in talking about this job, and if so, to please send my resume. I thought, “Well, if you put it that way.... We can at least talk about it...”.

That email came on a Friday, and I spent the weekend praying about sending my resume. I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t applying out of complacency, but because the Lord was opening the door. So after much help from my dear friend Ashleigh, I emailed my resume to David the following Wednesday morning. Within an hour he texted me wanting to set up a phone interview for the next week. Then began the back and forth, BACK and FORTH, of my emotions over the whole thing. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I must have decided three different times to call it all off. Just call and say, “I’m sorry, I’m just not your girl.” However, after encouragement from my prayer partners, I planned a skype interview with Sherwood for the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. I felt great about my interview and, looking back, can see how the Lord gave me the words to answer questions clearly and concisely. I remember telling the Lord at that point, “Ok, I’ll walk through doors as long as they are open.” The next day, David called, saying that he felt at peace with taking the next step in the interview process, and asked if I would be willing to come visit Sherwood. I said yes, but was thinking, “Seriously? You want me to visit?”. David must have read my mind, because he specifically told me next, “I know you’ve never worked at a church, but I’m more concerned with having someone who is called to ministry, than someone with experience.” Isn’t God good to give others the words we need to hear?

We planned for me to visit Albany two weeks later. Over the course of those two weeks, the Lord began to show me what stepping out in faith really means. He taught me so much, I’ll have to write a blog about it separately. But for now I’ll share a verse that stuck with me as I prepared to visit Sherwood. Its Hebrew 11:6,

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
 
I visited Albany the weekend before Christmas, and I began to see how the Lord has His hand on Sherwood. I remember leaving that Monday, thinking, “Ok, Lord, I’m going to be really sad if this is not what you have for me.” Two days later, David called offering me the position, and asked me to pray about it. God had laid several verses on my heart, but the ultimate confirming passage was Romans 15:5-6,

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord made it clear that I was to be the help that Sherwood had prayed for in their children’s ministry, and with “one voice” we were to glorify Him. I called the day after Christmas, accepted the position, and began making plans to move to Albany.

Keeping in Touch

I never thought I would start a blog. Who would ever want to keep up with the mundane happenings in my life? However, after I heard the phrase “Keep in touch!” for the 325th time in the last two months, I realized this whole blog thing might not be such a bad idea. I guess the fact that I’m embarking on a whole new adventure, would give reason for some to pause and see what’s going on. So after deciding on blogging, I was then informed my first post should be “epic”.

epic: (adj.) heroic or grand in scale or character; of unusually great size or extent; majestic; impressively great.

Now, in my opinion, there is nothing grand or majestic about a 20-something girl from Alabama. But I will say, Jesus Christ sums up “epic” and exceeds it to an immeasurable standard. He’s taught me so much as I’ve walked with Him for most of my life. Through the highs and lows, He’s proved always faithful. And if you don’t know Him, I pray that you come to know Him. This life is not about having a impressively great career, friends, or even mate. It’s about making known the most epic story of all time: that God sent His only Son, perfect and blameless, to die a horrific death so that you and I can be united in a relationship with Him. Giving glory and honor to Christ means dying daily to oneself. And that, my friends, is what is truly epic.

So, there you have it. This blog will update you on big (and sometimes small) events and changes in my life, but hopefully, it will ultimately point you to One is way more important than me.