God is in control

It is Sunday! This past week has been a very good one, filled with fellowship and an awesome time of self reflection. I am looking forward to the days ahead and doing my best to be on target with what I understand to be God's will in my life.
I say what I understand to Be God's will as I have not totally figured out how to tell if it is God's will. I have also figured out that many things have been happening that are God's will...and I just didn't understand it to be so.

I think sometimes we search too hard. We have such a desire to involve God and do what He wants...that we don't even see all these little things around us happening that are God at work. In that same instance, we forgo opportunities He is giving to us, because we don't see them as Him at work.

I am checking out a new book, it is one we are pretty sure we are going to use for the women's retreat. In it, the author has giving me new faith and assurance on my ability to evangelize. He has made me look at things in a whole new light. I have been feeling really useless in this area. Seriously struggling and yet feeling very convicted that is a direct commission to me.

This book has shown me differently, than what I was thinking of my abilities. Is it coincidence that this book has been laid before me, and with absolutely no effort on my part? Is it just happenstance that I had only recently concluded my "gift" is not in this area?
Or....
Could it be that God, as the bible states.... knew what my needs were, even before the became known to me~~ Perhaps He put me in this position to be working with this group of women..on this particular retreat...at this particular time in my life~~~~ because He knew my needs. Or maybe He was keenly aware that I would be growing into a more mature christian at this point in my life...and I would need this information.

See, I had no plans of my own to be a part of planning this retreat. I felt inadequate for one, and too disorganized for another. All I did when this was being discussed was offer to ask my cousin to sing at the retreat. The next thing I know, my name is on the list to help plan it.

We had no theme, no preconceived ideas...
Even though I could not see past my nose, God could! He makes all things work for good. He put me in this group of women because He knew I need to be there. He knew that I was going to have these struggles. He knew I would need that reinforcement. He knew that the retreat was going to be about this area. He knew that I was going to have others put into my life that were going to be counting on me to show them Christ. He knows that I may be the only Christ they see. He is in control. Jeremiah 29:11

The following is from an email I received today... Yeah, I think God is talking to me about this!

And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." (Mark 5:18-19 NKJV)
Jesus immediately enlists this man as a missionary by sending him back to his old friends. Notice how simple his message was: "Tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." Sometimes we think that in order to be an effective witness, we need to have a theological degree under our belt. Not true. All that's necessary is a personal encounter with Jesus and a willingness to share the good things He has done in our lives. It's just that simple, and if a former demoniac can do it, we can too.