It’s a question that we seem to always ask ourselves, what’s next? Where do I go from here? When I’m done with this, what do I do? This question has hindered way too many Christians from stepping out and doing something for God. We always look at it as a bad thing if a high school senior doesn’t know what he or she is doing after graduation. Here in the west we’re in control of our situation. We’re in control and we like to schedule and lay everything down in stone. When someone doesn’t know the answer to the question, what’s next, we always view it as a bad thing.
A lot of parents probably won’t like that I’m saying this, but I’m in support of not always knowing what the next step is. In my life, the times when I had no idea what I was going to do were the times when God showed up and did the most powerful things. God really likes using us when we’re not sure how He wants to use us. One of the things I’m beginning to learn is that if I always knew what the next step was, I’d probably screw it up.
Coming back from Africa I had no idea what I was going to do next. I was struggling to find a way to apply all that He taught me in Africa back here in America. I had no idea how to do it. All I knew was that I needed community. I needed to be The Church with other believers who needed also to be The Church. I needed people who could walk with me through the valleys, and be with me during the desert times. I needed a community of people who could cheer with me in the good times, and cry in the bad times. Most of all I needed people who wanted me to be with them in those places.
I knew I needed community so I moved to Georgia with some friends from the Novas Project. None of us have jobs, none of us are going to school, none of us have a “next step.” We know that God has lead us to live in community and to invite others to do the same. God has provided everything for us during this time. We haven’t gone hungry and we have had a roof over our heads (except the times when we intentionally didn’t want one.)
For this next year He has presented me with an opportunity to work for AIM through their apprenticeship program as He teaches me more about community and more about His plan for my life. I will be working with leaders for AIM’s short term missions department. I absolutely love pouring into leaders and fell like this is something God has put in front of me to be able to do that. The Apprenticeship Program is designed for people who have a dream or a vision that God has given them. While those people work at AIM they can be discipled, mentored, and coached into making this vision a reality.
I feel like I’m exactly where God wants me. So maybe I have a plan or a “Next Step” right now, but I never would have gotten here if I had known where I was going. If I had a plan as soon as I came back from Africa things would have been so different. I guess that’s just how God works. I’m so thankful that I’ve had a community of awesome folks who could walk with me during this time. You guys are awesome!
