How Do I Start?

Not long ago, I received a message from a reader who had a strong desire to put a group of women together who were committed to reaching out to others. She was looking for ideas on how to get started.

A lot of us are in this place. We are awakened to the fact that life does not revolve around us, and we want to serve God as part of something bigger than ourselves. We just don't know how to form that into action.

The fact is that God always works this out in a different way. Sometimes it's formal and organized; sometimes it is a chain of one event leading to another and before you know it you are in the middle of His plan.

The common denominator is that we have to be willing to submit ourselves to God's call and do the work.

God needs us to pray for a dislocated heart.

Chip Ingram wrote about this concept several years ago in his book, Holy Ambition. This is a great book that unfortunately is very hard to find today. Ingram walks through the story of Nehemiah being called by God to re-build the walls of Jerusalem. He follows the entire process from Nehemiah's original call to the steps of action to completion. He outlines these points:

1. Nehemiah had a dislocated heart - a heart that felt the need for something to change. He was burdened by this need.

2. He had a broken spirit - he humbled himself before God, recognizing that he was powerless, but that God was powerful and could lead the way for him.

3. He had a radical faith - He was overwhelmed by what God was asking, but he had faith that it could be done.

4. He has a strategic plan - he went to the king with not just passion, but a detailed plan (developed from his time of prayer).

5. He had a personal commitment - he had a dedicated promise to this project, and he recognized the value of each worker to their own part in the work.

6. He had a courageous soul - Nehemiah realized that it would be difficult, and he prepared for this. Men were working with one hand and holding weapons in the other hand!

I think we need to earnestly pray for opportunities to be placed in front of us - if we pray for this like we pray for all of the comforts we ask for, I know God will answer - and I'm excited and hopeful to see those answers come.