October 22, 2019

October 22

Running with Jesus

Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

      Answering the call! I felt as a very young girl in GA's God tugging at my heart about serving Him. A lady missionary from Japan came and shared her work and I felt God tugging at my heart again. I wanted to be just like her. It wasn't until I was 16 years old until I realized God was calling me to serve Him in some way. I always thought it was as a missionary overseas. After I married Mike, 30 days before I turned 18, it would be a while before the fullness and desire of my heart became a reality. We were married nine years and two boys later when Mike answered the call to go preach. 

     Since then we came to serve as Pastor and wife here at home after God turned my heart to our own nation and its need. I began in the eighties to see the home life crumbling and saw a need to stay here and strive to help women grow in Christ and be filled with the Spirit in the homes to help them save their marriages and children. 

      It has been an incredible journey as I look back. Answering the call has been a joy beyond measure. It has tested me to my limits at times, stretched my faith and has required much sacrifice, however, God has never failed to help us and strengthen us on our journey. We have had a wonderful life. We have had the love of God surround us and taken us to places and found people we would have never known! 

     Maybe you are afraid to answer the call to go. Don't be afraid He will meet you at every bend in the road and you will get to know Him in a whole new light. So step into the water and wade out a little deeper! 

Father, thank You for calling us to serve You. It is an amazing journey we are on. Help those who hear You saying come and do this thing, have faith to run the race of life. Father, it may be just to help in a kids class, the nursery, the kitchen or ministry full time, give them a willing spirit to do it! Joy will come through answering the call!

Tomorrow: Let’s see where Paul's call took him. Hang with me!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015