The center of God's will

All my life I've heard preachers say that "the best place to be is smack in the middle of God's will". My reaction to hearing this was always the same: "What a vague statement to make!" For one thing, how exactly does one know God's will? We're always told to find it and do it, but rarely are we given suggestions on how to find it. Also, what if God's will is somewhere that we, with our human nature, really would rather not be either physically or spiritually? It's one thing to say it's the best place to be, it's another thing to feel that way when you're there.

Now I know all of the answers. I grew up hearing it and I could list every reason both scriptural and non, but hearing isn't understanding. Experiencing - that's different. I can now honestly say that I finally understand what people mean when they say that the center of God's will is the best place to be. Because now I know how it feels.

The trepidation I felt leading up to my time in Portugal can't even be explained. However, with the emotional support of those who loved me I kept walking through the open door, no matter how anxious I felt or how much I secretly hoped that God would close the door. And now I'm so very glad that He didn't. I am happier, more content, and more confident here in Portugal than I have been in a long time. Are there slight discomforts? Sure. Do I miss home? Definitely. But not enough to remove the certainty I have that God has led me to this place and is blessing my time here.

So when the door started opening for me to stay a little while longer, it was with considerably less hesitation that I walked toward it. It didn't take long before God swung the door wide open and things fell into place so that there was no doubt in my mind that it was His plan for me to stay until the end of May.

"What's next? What will you do after May?" is what most people have asked. At this point I don't feel like God is pointing me towards becoming a career missionary; admittedly, the idea scares me some, but hopefully if He does direct that way I'll be more open to that option after having had this wonderful experience. Until such a time that He makes His will clear though, I'll return to life and work in Illinois having grown in more ways than one.