Molding a lump of clay

Molding a lump of clay
I am a work in progress, molded by my Maker, refined by His fire, shaped with His love. Walk the journey with me.

Monday, February 2, 2009

'At the Well' kicks off today...

Today is the launch of the new 'At the Well' gathering place where the heart of Titus 2:2-5 is the focus. The team has organized a great line-up of memes covering various aspects of that scripture, like homemaking, raising children, marriage, etc. To get the full picture and to really appreciate this new gathering place, please visit the team At the Well.

To kickstart the launch
, the team has given us 3 questions to ponder. They are challenging questions which are good for stirring complacent hearts, of which mine can become so easily. So let me face the music and answer honestly the probing below...

When you read the Scripture found in Titus 2: 2-5, how do you see this playing out in your own life?

As a missionary in Africa, I have the great privilege of regularly teaching both men and women of varying ages on various Biblical topics. I also sit at their feet and learn from them, and it's a joy to share our personal gleanings from the Word, and the practical experiences that go with them. In this sense, the admonishment to teach goes hand in hand with the desire to be taught. I know I don't have all the answers...in fact, I have a great many questions. But my walk with God has blessed me with an abundance of testimonies that authenticate my teachings on certain subjects, and these life lessons I share eagerly with others. At the same time, I am still, and always will be, on a journey of discovery, which makes me an eager pupil wanting to learn more about this amazing God who calls me 'Beloved.'

What are your areas of strength? Of weakness?

My strengths are in teaching and communicating the Word of God clearly. My heart is to see others develop a close, intimate relationship with the Lord, and undergo the unparalleled transformation of their hearts as they fall deeper in love with Him.

My weaknesses
are many...where do I start? I am opinionated and confident, which doesn't go over too well as a woman in Africa (does it anywhere?), but I struggle to be meek and submissive. I was raised with only my mom and sister, and my mom constantly reminded me that the sky was the limit...I could do anything I wanted if I just set my mind to it. So I have to remind myself that it's not my will but Gods that I want, and keep offering myself up to Him as a daily sacrifice.


I'm not a great homemaker or mother, in my opinion. I want to be involved in the YWAM ministry, preaching in the prisons, active on the leadership team, participating in the vision of the base to be a bridge of healing to the nations. I struggle to get the balance between home and office. I love my kids, don't get me wrong, but I get fulfilled and excited by what God is doing in the YWAM ministry. It's a constant state of tension.

I'm still learning how to be a Proverbs 31 wife...sometimes it seems far too high a standard for me. I grapple with expectations of the African culture we live in, the Western cultures of my husband and I, and the Biblical standards of God Himself. I desire to be the woman, wife, mother, colleague that God created me to be, and to use the gifts and talents He has given me to His glory. It's a lifelong process. That's why my blog is 'Molding a lump of clay', because I want to be the form that my Father, the Potter, desires for me. It's all about Him, anyway.

If you could set some sort of goal in relation to this Scripture, what would it be?


My goal
would be to come to a place where I know who I am in Christ, and how that looks in my relationships. And then that I would be able to help other women in the same path of discovery, so that we all would be living as members of one Body, in our different roles, with no condemnation or guilt, but the releasing truth that we are who we were created to be. Pretty big goal, maybe, but we serve a Big Big God!



6 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing your heart with us today. It is a wonderful goal and heartfelt prayer to want to know who you are in Christ.

From someone who has herself been on the journey, I can tell you the best thing you can do is to be be open to the Father. Lay self and be willing to allow Him to conform you. When we are willing to do that, we'll see the Truth for what it really is and be truly transformed for His glory alone!

Thanks for joining us today... At the Well!

Laurie Ann said...

I'm so glad to see you here At the Well! It's great that you joined in! I loved your post, the honesty you shared...I am growing on becoming more confident, and this grows against my grain based on my upbringing. I strongly admire the work you're doing in Africa. May God continue to use you in both teaching and learning there!

Tereasa said...

I completely relate to your struggle with being opinionated and confident! I feel blessed that God knows what we need and am trying to rest in the fact that what he says works. I am learning that being self-controlled, kind and submissive gets me a lot further with those I am reaching out to.

God bless!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

What an interesting life you lead, my friend. I am blessed by your heart's pause in a foreign country to do the work of our Father. May God continue to "show up" in your world in magnificent and real ways this week. May his love over you sing with loud applause, and may you know the rich favor that is yours as his daughter.

Thanks for taking his message into all the world! I am moved by your obedience.

Thanks for visiting the blog.

peace~elaine

Patty Wysong said...

I sure do understand trying to find the balance between home and office! That's something I struggle with on a moment-by-moment basis...and I'm home 24/7 with 5 kids! Thank God, He's patient and loving!

Alicia The Snowflake said...

I love this statement, "the admonishment to teach goes hand in hand with the desire to be taught."

How true! May we never stop wanting to learn ourselves. Thanks for such an encouraging and honest post. I so identify with the struggle to be the Proverbs 31 woman. It is not in my nature. But I continue to strive. And sometimes that is what's most important.

Thanks for visiting my blog. It's been nice to meet you and visit your blog. I can't wait to get to know you better!