For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)
I am driven. Let's get that out there right from the start. I am a woman driven by a desire to bring biblical counseling and discipleship to you. I am driven to provide excellent education to those who are interested in learning how to do intensive discipleship, and to help them attain their certification in one of the excellent organizations that exist for that purpose.
I am driven to build an organization in my area that will become known as the place to be trained and that turns out very capable and qualified counselors. I am driven to excel.
I am driven to minister to and serve the people in my local church along side my pastor and elders in helping fellow Christians to understand that heart change means life change. To really grasp and internalize that critical truth that without the heart change that first comes through the saving grace of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9) and then flows from the living Word of God into the thoughts, beliefs, and desires of each of us (Romans 12:1-2), no lasting change can or will take place.
I am driven to meet with women after a long and busy workday to help them understand the process of biblical change and unravel the fruit and root issues that make up the common to man problems (1 Corinthians 10:13) that they bring to the table.
I am driven to devote my life to this work. It is what occupies my thoughts and my desires as I go through my daily activities and it burns like a fire in my heart. This is not of my own making, or of my own original desires. If left to myself, I would never have chosen this course for my life! But God had other ideas and here I am, somewhat of a fish out of water. A woman with different desires than most women. I have been called a Deborah (Judges), and Truth Telling Woman by those who know me. There are also less flattering names that have been uttered from time to time from those who have been intimidated by a woman with such desires.
There is joy in this, for sure! I am joyful and content when I am serving, but that is not my goal. My goal is to bring glory to God by what I do with this life that He has given me. This is not about me, it is all about Him.
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:16 (NASB)
Oswald Chambers says, "Paul’s words have to do with our being made servants of Jesus Christ, and our permission is never asked as to what we will do or where we will go. God makes us as broken bread and poured-out wine to please Himself. To be “separated to the gospel” means being able to hear the call of God. Once someone begins to hear that call, a suffering worthy of the name of Christ is produced. Suddenly, every ambition, every desire of life, and every outlook is completely blotted out and extinguished. Only one thing remains—“ separated to the gospel .” Woe be to the soul who tries to head in any other direction once that call has come to him."