What If?

It’s already February, but some of us wish we could press a “reset button.”  As a new year began, we marked our calendars with conferences, speaking events, and manuscript deadlines. Of course, we also added birthdays, anniversaries, graduation parties, wedding celebrations, and grandbaby due dates. We ramped up our dreams of the blessings, because these dates give us a sense of security and control. They represent similarity, year-after-year.  But what if, what if God asks us to go this year, into a venue or event we’ve never considered? 

Are we willing to step into an unfamiliar space, into the unknown to minister, to serve and to obey? After all, God is the author of our story and is all knowing in giving us an unexpected turn. A year ago, that is where I was in my storyline—in the midst of a major plot twist.

In the early morning of a bitter cold day, I swiped my security card to enter the door of the newly elected county prosecutor’s office to take on two full time positions. 

Because of God’s answer to my prayer and out of obedience, I stepped forward. The ability to administrate is part of my gifting from Father God. Communicating and speaking are in my skill set, along with having experience as a coach. I believed leading an office team would be fun. However, the legalese, combined with being surrounded by detectives, police officers, and attorneys was a bit new, and it felt extremely overwhelming. I was experiencing a lot of stress in the new job. But for over two decades a lawyer-politician was a part of my story, so I shouldn’t have been too surprised that God would lead me back into this arena. However, this time I would be leading and advocating for victims in the criminal justice system.

The first three months were a straight up ladder of learning. Shifting to one fulltime position was my goal. I found myself gaining ground and seeing God answer my question: How do I do this job without any job shadowing? It was rather simple, after the fact.

• Pray on the go.
• Tap into my previous job skills.
• Learn new information.
• Expand my knowledge as I tapped into my potential.

I soon learned that these simple principles can be applied to many things—writing a book, expanding a speaking ministry, and growing a brand. 

Is God nudging you to step into the unknown to expand your ministry?

Perhaps you’re to speak at orphanages, help Women at Risk, or travel to a third-world country that doesn’t care for Christians where you cannot post on social media for your safety and confidentiality. No matter where He leads you, remember ^“ For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints” (Hebrews 6:10 NASB).

Back to the Story

As an advocate for victims, my job is to offer comfort and compassion. People are people everywhere. They’re hurting and wounded from life. We all need Jesus. I look for ways to give Him away:

• Handing a woman a package of tissues in the court hallway, as she shakes with anxiety before she testifies. I see your tears.
• Sitting at a table and looking across at a wounded woman and stating, “You have value, period.” This may be a new thought to her ears, but not to Jesus or to me.
• Telling a woman who was physically abused “I am sorry for your pain” connected us. I know she longed to hear it from the man who beat her up, yet I doubt that will happen.
• Asking a man, with a biblical name, “What does your name mean and why did your mom name you that?” He teared up and said, “I’m thinking of going back to church.”
• Standing beside grieving families in a courtroom. 
• Speaking at a podium before judges and reading pain-filled impact statements. 
• Being a voice for the victims.
• Wiping tears from a weeping woman full of shame.

And truly, it is so like GOD to take me back to this court building, where I walked the exact hallway in grief, and even wrote a scene for my latest book, Leading You Through the Valley, a personized grief-loss coaching book. 

And now I help others with their pain at a venue I didn’t expect to be in again.

Whenever God gives me a plot twist, I ask Him, “What is it you want me to learn from this?”

Then I listen for His whispers. And He is whispering. 

Be ready, when you pray for God to open doors. Think differently and creatively with your leading and speaking gift:

• Be willing to speak outside of church buildings. 
• Be willing to speak outside of a camp setting.
• Be willing to speak outside of a conference center.
• Be willing to speak at schools, at assemblies, at colleges, chapels, libraries, community meetings, care facilities, wherever He leads you. 
• Be ready to obey. 
• Embrace your abilities. 
• Leverage your strengths.
• Let Him tap into your weaknesses. 
• Tune your ear to a heart need. 
• Deliver simple acts of kindness. 
• Tweak your message to fit the needs of your audience.  

Question:  What “plot twist” has God brought into your life that initially felt overwhelming but later revealed His purpose? Where is He nudging you to step out now?  Share your story—I’d love to pray for you and to celebrate how He’s working in your journey.

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