I began attending Moroto Baptist Church in February. The church sits in the center of Kakolye — a section of Moroto, a blend of low income housing and drinking establishments, where God has called me. A few weeks after I started going, they began to not-so-subtly ask me to preach. “Oh, they would mention, “there was once a missionary here for a few weeks, and they even preached one week.” Well, I am here for three years, so we will see what God wants me to do. “One day, Maria (for some reason, being called Mary is rare treat) will stand up and preach to us. But not by her might, but by the grace of God!” Yes, but we must not forget the will of God. My favorite though, was when the pastor pulled me aside and asked, “What do you do best in the church?” Simple – obey God. Each one of these moments I brushed off. God made it clear He placed me in this church for a reason, and I waited patiently for His plan.
A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with one of the leaders of the church named Simon. He had tried to do a Bible study, but found the church simply wanted a midweek service where someone preaches at them rather than coming together to study as a group. The study died off with disappointment. I told Simon I was interested in getting involved, but needed to spend time praying over it before I committed. As I prayed, I felt God affirming the study. He continually said, “Teach them how to study the Bible for themselves. Give them the tools they need.” I felt like God was beginning to show me why He had me in this particular church, although I am sure not the only reason.
The next Sunday, Simon walked in late. This triggered a reminder in me that I needed to seek the specifics of this study. I prayed God would reveal some of the details He wished me to do. He gave me a few key questions that can be asked of any scripture, and told me we needed to study through the book of Philippians. “Great,” I thought to myself, “now I can jump back into the service.”
However, God was not done with our conversation. He asked me, “What are you going to do the day they directly ask you to preach?” We always say that God’s time is not our own, but I still found this so odd in the moment. Regardless, we wrestled through it together. He continued to say to me, “Just be willing.” And as we wrapped up that little side conversation, I found myself engaged once again in the service.
The service came to a close, and everyone went about greeting each other. The associate pastor came to shake my hand, and after a simple greeting says, “Will you bring us a word Sunday?”
“Ummm…. You mean the sermon?”
“Yes,”
“On the tenth?”
“Yes,”
“Okay” (some thought I should have said, “I am willing” but I was a little to baffled to say something clever). Any other answer would be complete disobedience. Isn’t it just like God to prepare us before we understand why? Had God not spoken so clearly to me, I would have come up with any excuse I could to say, “no”. I do not feel God calling me to preach, and standing in front of people (any people) is far beyond my comfort zone. God, in His kindness, gave me the opportunity to know exactly what He was asking me to do an hour before I was even asked.
As I left church, I took the deepest breath I could, and said, “Okay God, this is your thing! You have called me to this, give me the words You want me to say.” Within four blocks, God gave me the passage in James 1 about being a doer of the word. Another confirmation I was to be His messenger the next week. God walked me through the process of preparing for a sermon, and stood by my side as I proclaimed His word. How thankful I am for His faithfulness.
Just be willing – what a statement! As Christians, we are all called to simply be willing to do all God calls us to. Yet I often waste time saying, “is God really calling me to this?” when it’s not something my flesh wants to do. He isn’t asking me for my opinion – why would God need my opinion? He is God! He already knows what is best for me and for the Karimojong. My seven months in Moroto means I have just a sliver of an understanding of these people, but God created them. He knows the beginning and the end. I’m sure He shakes His head every time I say, “I don’t think this is a good idea because….”. All He wants is my heart to be willing.
Maybe God had many reasons He wanted me to preach that Sunday at church, but He used it to teach me to let go of my comfort zone and trust Him to walk alongside me, arm wrapped around my shoulder, as I willingly follow Him to whatever He asks of me.
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