Do you have purpose?
Today is just beautiful. It's a perfect day for coffee, Jesus and window light. I am actually enjoying a day of solitude since we leave for the good ole American soil this week. Once we arrive there, I don't really see a lot of "me" time happening. I have been in such a reflective state about how good God is today. I've found myself thinking about the last two years and all that He has done. It has been a tough season, but at the same time the most beautiful one. Isn't that crazy how it can be that way at the exact same time? In Him, I find purpose. Do you have purpose?
As I was thanking God for starting Redeeming Zoe two years ago and the journey it has consisted of, He told me something that I had never thought of before. Here's what He said: Redeeming Zoe did not start two years ago. Twenty eight years ago when you were in your mothers womb, I named you. I knew you. I loved you. YOU my daughter, are a Zoe. Redeeming Zoe exists because of Redeemed Zoe.
I have loved Jesus for a long time. I have been going to church since I was eight years old, but in the moment that God told me this... I loved Him so much deeper. He is so faithful and personal. Ten years ago when I was at a crossroad in my life, God wanted to expose some things and take me on this really intense journey. I did not want to have to go on this journey. I did not think it was fair because the reason I was at this crossroad was not my fault. Have you ever been there? Have you ever thought "Why do I have to deal with the ramifications of this when I didn't do anything?" I had a choice. I could have kept this part of me hidden and just silently suffered giving the enemy easier access to me. I wish I could say that I chose Jesus without kicking and screaming in this moment but this was so hard.
Fast forward to 2017. If you would have told me ten years ago before walking through all the mess that God would be using all of it to start an organization in the Philippines to fight child exploitation, I wouldn't have believed you. I have come to learn that though I experienced things that were not my fault and out of my control, the way I move forward in life is my responsibility. God is good at giving us the choice. He is not going to force us to do anything that we don't want to do. I don't want to know where I would have been had I not chosen for God to go to those deep places and begin to bind those wounds. Oh the crazy work He has done.
It has been a fast and furious ride over the last couple of years. He has gone before and paved the way and we have seen Him move in ways that is only Him. Like any vision that He gives, satan is going to try and steal, kill and destroy. It hasn't been a walk in the park, but there's no other option but to keep moving forward and let Him lead. The reality is, as hard as satan swings, God swings harder! Any thing that satan has done to throw us off, God has turned it around for good! If you are in a place of living out your calling and you are struggling with the enemy's attacks, don't lose hope! Satan tried to bring up new memories over the last two years about my childhood. God comforted me and led me in a direction to find more healing and freedom. He tried to take away my health. God gave me perfect emotional, spiritual, physical and mental health! He tried to stir up strife with Becca and I and get us in a place of division. God made our friendship and work relationship SO MUCH STRONGER. He tried to get me to feel like I was an orphan and God gave me MORE family than I started with. He tried to get me to doubt that I had any thing to offer to the ministry and yet God is using HIS story in me and how good He has been to bring others to Him.
Whether we are friends, relatives, social media buddies or we don't know each other, I pray that if you are in a place of lacking vision or purpose that you let God have access to those deep parts that you don't want any one to see. For me, my calling was tied to the deepest and darkest pain that I have ever endured. Had I not said yes to Him having access to that part of my heart, I don't want to know where I would be. I haven't reached for perfection. Never will. It is a journey for all of us. God sees us. He loves us. He's with us. Let Him do what only HE can do.
I would love to see how God is using you to live out your calling. Please feel free to comment and leave encouragement for others to see. We are in this together.
-Hillary
As I was thanking God for starting Redeeming Zoe two years ago and the journey it has consisted of, He told me something that I had never thought of before. Here's what He said: Redeeming Zoe did not start two years ago. Twenty eight years ago when you were in your mothers womb, I named you. I knew you. I loved you. YOU my daughter, are a Zoe. Redeeming Zoe exists because of Redeemed Zoe.
I have loved Jesus for a long time. I have been going to church since I was eight years old, but in the moment that God told me this... I loved Him so much deeper. He is so faithful and personal. Ten years ago when I was at a crossroad in my life, God wanted to expose some things and take me on this really intense journey. I did not want to have to go on this journey. I did not think it was fair because the reason I was at this crossroad was not my fault. Have you ever been there? Have you ever thought "Why do I have to deal with the ramifications of this when I didn't do anything?" I had a choice. I could have kept this part of me hidden and just silently suffered giving the enemy easier access to me. I wish I could say that I chose Jesus without kicking and screaming in this moment but this was so hard.
Fast forward to 2017. If you would have told me ten years ago before walking through all the mess that God would be using all of it to start an organization in the Philippines to fight child exploitation, I wouldn't have believed you. I have come to learn that though I experienced things that were not my fault and out of my control, the way I move forward in life is my responsibility. God is good at giving us the choice. He is not going to force us to do anything that we don't want to do. I don't want to know where I would have been had I not chosen for God to go to those deep places and begin to bind those wounds. Oh the crazy work He has done.
It has been a fast and furious ride over the last couple of years. He has gone before and paved the way and we have seen Him move in ways that is only Him. Like any vision that He gives, satan is going to try and steal, kill and destroy. It hasn't been a walk in the park, but there's no other option but to keep moving forward and let Him lead. The reality is, as hard as satan swings, God swings harder! Any thing that satan has done to throw us off, God has turned it around for good! If you are in a place of living out your calling and you are struggling with the enemy's attacks, don't lose hope! Satan tried to bring up new memories over the last two years about my childhood. God comforted me and led me in a direction to find more healing and freedom. He tried to take away my health. God gave me perfect emotional, spiritual, physical and mental health! He tried to stir up strife with Becca and I and get us in a place of division. God made our friendship and work relationship SO MUCH STRONGER. He tried to get me to feel like I was an orphan and God gave me MORE family than I started with. He tried to get me to doubt that I had any thing to offer to the ministry and yet God is using HIS story in me and how good He has been to bring others to Him.
Romans 8:28 says "All things work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose."
I would love to see how God is using you to live out your calling. Please feel free to comment and leave encouragement for others to see. We are in this together.
-Hillary
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