Divine Direction

For the last three months, I have worked as a volunteer in our church ESL program.  It has been a wonderful opportunity of growth for me!  Most are unaware of all that was going on inside of me as I made the decision to help this semester.  What follows below is a brief chronicle of God's work - as well as a bit of his humor!

I am a quiet, reserved individual - quite unlike my two sisters who are confident and more out-going. When Kathy was helping with ESL last semester, she continued to drop hints here and there that I should do it, too.  My immediate response to her was, "No!  I don't have time."  And really, I did already have a lot going on.  But deep down inside, I knew I was using lack of time as an excuse to hide behind fear, that fear being how could I communicate with someone who couldn't understand me or I them???  I really didn't see this ministry as a fit for me.

Well, last summer when I was driving to work, I was expressing to the Lord my concern that I was never in a context to rub shoulders with unbelievers.  He had me involved in very good things, but they didn't lend themselves to conversing with people outside my circle of Christian friends.  And I knew I wasn't cut out for the Broadripple evangelism.  As I was telling the Lord these things, the thought came to me, "Why don't you help with ESL?"  

Around this time I was aware that there was a need for volunteers the coming semester.  But it was as if the appeal went in one ear and out the other - there was absolutely no interest on my part.  So when this bazaar thought came to me that morning I was shocked - and immediately began arguing. "Help with ESL???  I don't have time!  Here I have a ton of  things going on at church plus statehouse ministry, and I'm thinking about doing one more thing?  No way.  It just can't happen."  But even as I argued the thought wouldn't leave me.  So I eventually concluded that perhaps I should prayerfully consider whether this was something of the Lord.

So the next week I prayed about it and talked (albeit sheepishly) with my family.  And I eventually concluded that for me it would actually be disobedience if I did not participate.  So I decided to step out in faith and at least investigate the possibility.

I knew that there was a need for someone to help with registration, so I decided to immediately grab at that.  After all, the administrative nitty grittys are my strength - and I could "hide" behind the paper and not have to have too much interaction with the people but still say I volunteered.  It was also the most flexible position if I didn't have time stay the full class period.  So my conscience was appeased - I'd do the registration and say I helped with ESL.

The first day of classes came.  I had decided it made no sense to make the 45 minute drive home only to have to immediately turn around and come back for the 7 pm classes.  So I stayed at the church after work.  I was very surprised when the doorbell rang at 5:30 pm.  I answered the phone to hear an international-sounding voice say something about ESL.  I immediately concluded, "Oh, this is one of those students I spoke with on the phone who couldn't quite understand that classes begin at 7 rather than 6.  I'll have to go and straighten it out."  

Well, come to find out, this particular student had to be dropped off at 5:30 every week because she couldn't drive and her husband had class at IUPUI at 6 pm on Wednesdays.

Reality began to sink in.

So much for "hiding behind the paper…”  

As the car drove off that night, I was left face to face with a muslim woman.  God had literally dropped a person right at my doorstep, and I had no choice but to jump right in and begin to interact with her.

And thus began a beautiful journey of learning how to cultivate a relationship with a complete stranger with a language barrier - the very things that were keeping me from helping with this ministry and that I thought I had creatively arranged to avoid.  It is amazing to see how God works.  

I am so thankful that God literally pushed me to become involved.  It has truly served to help me achieve growth in an area I knew was lacking in my life.  From spending one-on-one time with a dear woman, to helping a child with their homework, to assisting with one of the classes, I have never regretted anything I've experienced the last months.  At this time last year I would have never dreamed of doing these things.  But like I said, God works in mysterious ways - and with a little humor!

God will always give us what we need as we respond in obedience to his call.  Don't hide behind fear.  Step out in faith, and watch God work!