Last year, I got an unexpected phone call that told me my ‘contract wasn’t going to be renewed for the following year’.
Because of this news, I was caught between being filled with joy for a friends wedding but also sick in the stomach wondering how the next year would pan out financially.
After sharing what was on my heart to my friend, she prayed over me and told me,
“I’ve seen you accomplish so much. It seems that whatever God puts in your hands, He will give you the ability to do. This coming year is no different. He will stretch you to do amazing things.”
I had never heard anyone refer to God as being someone that ‘stretches’ people.
Define ‘stretch’
: to be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking. To extend.
I gulped, knowing that any sense of ‘comfortability’ would potentially be thrown out the window if I trusted what she prayed over me.
And… that’s exactly what happened.
God plucked me out of my 3.5+ years of working in the digital space and put me into a school where I became a chaplain (e.g. think ‘youth pastor’).
Instead of phones, I was met with faces. IRL (in real life* lol).
Away from icons, graphics and instant messaging, and instead up close and personal with people.
I marvelled at my new understanding of community, culture and Christian education. And journeyed through the mess of lockdown feeling many things, but not alone.
Numbers became names and statistics became shared, tangible experiences.
…Who knew?
Me – here?
Only God.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
That’s His promise to you, and me.
In the new year, as tempting as it is to have everything planned out… leave space.
Make room for God to move – in the small decisions and in the major.
Goodbye, 2021.
Hello, 2022.
Writer: Pauline C. Escano, chaplain at Gilson College