"Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee."
This line from a hymn by Francis Havergal has always stirred my heart. I love the adventure that comes from knowing the Lord God-- the adventure of having Him direct my path. I love embracing this wild, beautiful life that God has graciously bestowed upon me by listening and obeying when the Lord says, "...This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21).
And now, He is taking my feet on...The World Race!!!
It has been a journey. Each chapter of the story of my life has been leading me towards this time. I look back over the span of years and see so very clearly the Lord's hand--guiding, molding, orchestrating. And yet, how do I convey this beautiful redemption story with words on a page? I know not, but He does.
And so it begins...
I've loved Jesus since I was little. What a blessed childhood I had! Life was good. And it got better when I was introduced tosomeone something. And then I fell in love with it.
Tae Kwon Do.
Even now, the words stir deep emotion. Here's why: Throughout high school, it was my life. Training, instructing, competing. I was a fighter. I was good. I was obsessed. My aim was the Olympics-- at all costs. No other option. My goal, my way, my glory.
But, it was not His goal. It was not His way. It was not HIS glory.
November 5, 2005. The date is burned in my memory. A few months after training with some of the best coaches in the world. A few weeks after earning an alternate spot on a national team. I went home in the morning to ride my horse. I ended the day with a fractured back and torn muscles/ligaments.
Bedridden, overwhelmed by pain, heartbroken-- I finally took my gaze off of myself and fixed it upon the Lord. And there the beauty began to rise from the ashes. But, more was to come. Months later, the word of God fell upon me clearly: "Are you willing to give up what you love most on this earth for me?"
I said "NO." I battled Him. But, our God is not to be swayed by my feeble attempts to dictate my life. Weary, I told Him, "Fine. Have it Your way." No, this was not a humble submission to His will. And yet, I still walked into the do-jang and quit Tae Kwon Do. Devastated, brokenhearted, and blinded by tears, I laid it down. At once, the peace of God flowed over me, as I had never felt before. And another chapter of my life began...
The next few years were those of falling in love with Him, of learning to sit at His feet and bask in His presence, of learning who I am in Him, of learning to obey. Beautiful years that, praise Him!, have continued on. My heart began to beat for discipling high school girls, for the work of God occuring in overseas locations. But, my journey with Tae Kwon Do was far from over. The Lord desired to show me the full measure of redemption.
In the summer of 2008, God spoke again and called me back into the Tae Kwon Do world. Tentatively, I followed....and promptly tore my MCL. I went through rehab, was released, and immediately severely sprained my other MCL (see a recurring theme here? Why yes, it's injuries.) On a whim, I competed at an elite tournament after being out for three years, with minimal training (three months, in fact), and two bad knees. I did well--very well. Now, there was absolutely NOTHING about me that could have accomplished that. At the same tournament, I had a conversation which led to me sharing Christ with one of my competitors. And then, clarity hit and I was overwhelmed by the blessing I just realized that God had bestowed upon me.
He took something that I had previously made about me, and He redeemed it and made it His!
It's just what He does.
Oh, what a wonderful next year and half I lived! Living my earthly dream, letting Him use it bring glory to His Name. And then, one day, He called me onwards. Instead of fighting Him, as I did previously, I submitted. And while, it broke my heart all over again to quit, there was no hesitation. I no longer wanted to live a life consumed with my goals, obsessed with my glory. I no longer wanted to live without Him.
It's been two years now, and I miss it just as much as did on the day I gave it up. But, He is faithful and GOOD! He has affirmed over and over the decision. It started as soon as I sat down to have the conversation and has continued ever since. Immediately upon quitting, the Lord spoke and called me to Guatemala to spend two weeks in Antigua at a YWAM mission base- something that would have been impossible for me to do had I still been in the midst of training.
It was there that I felt the call for a future in missions work-- as soon as I stepped off the plane.
It was there that I was first introduced to The World Race.
It was there that "Here am I! Send me! (wherever that may be)" became the prayer of my life.
The story has continued on since that time. I was in period of waiting upon the Lord for almost two years. But now, He is saying "GO!" So, my only response can be:
And now, He is taking my feet on...The World Race!!!
It has been a journey. Each chapter of the story of my life has been leading me towards this time. I look back over the span of years and see so very clearly the Lord's hand--guiding, molding, orchestrating. And yet, how do I convey this beautiful redemption story with words on a page? I know not, but He does.
And so it begins...
I've loved Jesus since I was little. What a blessed childhood I had! Life was good. And it got better when I was introduced to
Tae Kwon Do.
Even now, the words stir deep emotion. Here's why: Throughout high school, it was my life. Training, instructing, competing. I was a fighter. I was good. I was obsessed. My aim was the Olympics-- at all costs. No other option. My goal, my way, my glory.
But, it was not His goal. It was not His way. It was not HIS glory.
November 5, 2005. The date is burned in my memory. A few months after training with some of the best coaches in the world. A few weeks after earning an alternate spot on a national team. I went home in the morning to ride my horse. I ended the day with a fractured back and torn muscles/ligaments.
Bedridden, overwhelmed by pain, heartbroken-- I finally took my gaze off of myself and fixed it upon the Lord. And there the beauty began to rise from the ashes. But, more was to come. Months later, the word of God fell upon me clearly: "Are you willing to give up what you love most on this earth for me?"
I said "NO." I battled Him. But, our God is not to be swayed by my feeble attempts to dictate my life. Weary, I told Him, "Fine. Have it Your way." No, this was not a humble submission to His will. And yet, I still walked into the do-jang and quit Tae Kwon Do. Devastated, brokenhearted, and blinded by tears, I laid it down. At once, the peace of God flowed over me, as I had never felt before. And another chapter of my life began...
The next few years were those of falling in love with Him, of learning to sit at His feet and bask in His presence, of learning who I am in Him, of learning to obey. Beautiful years that, praise Him!, have continued on. My heart began to beat for discipling high school girls, for the work of God occuring in overseas locations. But, my journey with Tae Kwon Do was far from over. The Lord desired to show me the full measure of redemption.
In the summer of 2008, God spoke again and called me back into the Tae Kwon Do world. Tentatively, I followed....and promptly tore my MCL. I went through rehab, was released, and immediately severely sprained my other MCL (see a recurring theme here? Why yes, it's injuries.) On a whim, I competed at an elite tournament after being out for three years, with minimal training (three months, in fact), and two bad knees. I did well--very well. Now, there was absolutely NOTHING about me that could have accomplished that. At the same tournament, I had a conversation which led to me sharing Christ with one of my competitors. And then, clarity hit and I was overwhelmed by the blessing I just realized that God had bestowed upon me.
He took something that I had previously made about me, and He redeemed it and made it His!
It's just what He does.
Oh, what a wonderful next year and half I lived! Living my earthly dream, letting Him use it bring glory to His Name. And then, one day, He called me onwards. Instead of fighting Him, as I did previously, I submitted. And while, it broke my heart all over again to quit, there was no hesitation. I no longer wanted to live a life consumed with my goals, obsessed with my glory. I no longer wanted to live without Him.
It's been two years now, and I miss it just as much as did on the day I gave it up. But, He is faithful and GOOD! He has affirmed over and over the decision. It started as soon as I sat down to have the conversation and has continued ever since. Immediately upon quitting, the Lord spoke and called me to Guatemala to spend two weeks in Antigua at a YWAM mission base- something that would have been impossible for me to do had I still been in the midst of training.
It was there that I felt the call for a future in missions work-- as soon as I stepped off the plane.
It was there that I was first introduced to The World Race.
It was there that "Here am I! Send me! (wherever that may be)" became the prayer of my life.
The story has continued on since that time. I was in period of waiting upon the Lord for almost two years. But now, He is saying "GO!" So, my only response can be:
"Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee."
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