I read a quote by Florence Nightingale this week. It couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. Take a look at what this woman of Christ once said.

“If I could give you information of my life it would be to show how a woman of very ordinary ability has been led by God in strange and unaccustomed paths to do in His service what He has done in her. And if I could tell you all, you would see how God has done all, and I nothing. I have worked hard, very hard, that is all; and I have never refused God anything.”[i]

Over the past few months, God has presented opportunities for me to further my work in His Kingdom. I must admit that I’ve not jumped on board as quickly as I should, but I believe with God’s help, my feet-dragging isn’t making the large ruts once left behind.

I have made the decision to lead an on-line Bible study this fall. There is a great deal of preparation that I must do before the fall, but I believe it is one of the areas God has been nudging me toward.

I will need to write the study, figure out how to do an on-line study, pray that God will help me with all of these preparations and most of all pray that He will point others to this study so that His work can be done through me.

This is exciting for me. I love to share God’s Word with others. This will allow God’s message to go beyond what I could have ever imagined.

The second opportunity God presented to me was a second trip to SE Asia. It would be different than the first trip, but I always believed that God wasn’t finished with me in this area of the world.

When this was brought up to me, I hung up the timeline I created about this journey. It was a reminder for me to pray and think about it. What I find interesting is that the timeline was never complete. It never ended. There is still plenty of area on this timeline to fill.

And perhaps this is the time to add more to this timeline.

While I am still on the fence about this second decision, I look at my life and can say the same things as Florence Nightingale. I am a woman with very ordinary abilities whom God has led in strange and unaccustomed paths to do in His service what He has done in her.

I know that my abilities and talents come from God. I know that He is able to do immeasurably more than I could ever dream of. I know that when I offer all that I am to Him, His message and Kingdom are furthered in ways I could never imagine. I’ve said it often; it’s amazing what God will do with a heart that is open to His calling.

Perhaps God is calling you to something. If so, don’t wonder if you’re capable of doing what He asks. Know that if you say “yes,” He will be right there with you. And if you say “yes,” be prepared for the journey of a lifetime. He will do amazing things.

The Apostle Paul understood his own weakness and that it was God who worked miraculously through him. He said it this way. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 – NIV) Everything.

Stay tuned for more on both of these journeys. I’m excited. I’m thrilled. I’m scared. But I know that if God is calling me to it, He’s already prepared the path (I think I’ve been saying that a lot lately as well!).

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna