God Uses The Inadequate and Uncomfortable

This has been a powerful week that started with worship, fellowship and teaching along side of over 300 law enforcement leaders at The Cove in Ashville, North Carolina. What a time to seek, and hear, God's calling

... to see a glimpse of His greater purpose in the mission field where ever He has placed us. Ladd and I have long known that His purpose in the path that He has set us on is way beyond what we could imagine. We are just now beginning to see a bend in the road... and feel a calling to keep going even though it isn't clear exactly what is around the bend.

One thing we know for sure, darkness and evil are all around us. Our law enforcement family is more intensely aware of that than most, because they come face to face with it daily... over and over... day after day, month after month, year after year. The need for hope and light in our world is great. Among our law enforcement family, active and injured, that need is perhaps even greater. To be called to be a part of bringing them hope through loving them and sharing the hope that Jesus offers is a privilege that is beyond our own ability. Thankfully we are not on this journey alone.

The week continued with a drive from North Carolina to Washington DC. When we hit the road before sunrise in Roanoke, VA; God said "Good morning" in a way only He can. As the sky turned pink all around us, the trees on the hills went from grey to red, orange and yellow. The highway dipped into a foggy valley, only to come up surrounded by hills of green pastures, colorful trees, old barns and signs with the names of historical places where previous generations fought for freedom for all Americans. A detour took us off the highway, past battlefields, landmarks and through tiny towns... places where Americans live, work and perhaps even take the freedom they have for granted.

We entered the capital city and went straight to our first meetings. All told, we met with staff in the offices of more than a dozen members of the House and Senate over the course of 2 days. During this time we learned of evil in the form of a bomber, and the heroic efforts of our law enforcement family to secure and neutralize that evil.

On Friday we met with NFOP (National Fraternal Order of Police) legislative directors where doors opened for further opportunities to serve disabled members of our LEO family.
I feel like what God has allowed us to do so far is only the tip of the iceberg for what He has for us to do still.

What a privilege to be allowed to take part in what He is doing among the families called to serve and protect our communities. We need them, because evil is not letting up. We need them to keep running into harms way... into the face of evil... as evidenced by yesterday's shooting in Pittsburgh. They need light and hope. They need to lay the burdens and images down and find peace.

We are on a journey that needs all hands on deck to leave no man (woman) behind. I feel sorely inadequate, and way out of my comfort zone, but I also know that God has used the inadequate and uncomfortable all throughout history. We are nothing if not willing to step out in faith and allow Him to use us where He has planted us.

Following is part of this morning's bible study. I can't wait to see where this adventure leads!

"The work we do together on Sunday mornings as we encounter God’s presence in worship is meant to equip us to carry that presence out into the world all week long. Your Life Gift is just as likely to involve changing oil on Monday morning as it is changing diapers on Sunday morning; just as likely to include sitting in the cancer ward as singing in the choir; just as likely to happen in the local middle school as in a Sunday school. In fact, if you can neatly package up your gift in an hour or two a week, I can safely say that’s not your calling. Not that there’s anything wrong with a couple hours of volunteerism—I’m just telling you that I’m confident God has a much bigger adventure for your life than that."
Better Than You Can Imagine - God's Calling, Your Adventure by Patrick M Quinn with Ken Roach