Recently I was scurrying around Peachtree attending to last-minute details for our annual Women’s Retreat when I received a text message from my husband, Jay. He sent me words from his journal in May 2005: “Rebecca is at a women’s conference, and God is stirring in her this desire to dream and to find her kingdom purpose. I want her to be as fulfilled as I am.” I stopped in my tracks to try to take it all in.
I had willingly lost my life for Jay to be in ministry in Chicago by leaving my home, family, friends, and the sense of being known. Without a doubt, I knew that Jay had been called, but I was searching for myself and my own purpose. I had no idea that I was called to do anything except support Jay in his work at Willow Creek Community Church, serve as editor-in-chief for his seminary papers, be a mom of two, and a Chicago tour guide when our friends and family visited. However, in 2003 I had read in Power of a Praying Wife, "God has called you to something, too. But it will fit in with whatever your husband's calling is and will not be in conflict with it. The timing to do what God has called each of you to do will work out perfectly if it's submitted to God."
That Women’s Retreat in 2005 taught me spiritual practices that enabled me over time to hear the subtle whispers of God that led me to say “Yes” to Willow Creek’s neighborhood ministry, “Yes” to leading women’s Bible studies, and then “Yes” to working for a ministry to write group materials and lead retreats. Later, when we got the call for Jay to come to Peachtree, I said another “Yes,” first to part-time and then to full-time work in women’s ministry here.
I lost my life, but then I found it, one “Yes” at a time. That is how God leads. God is inviting you to find your life. When you feel prompted by God, just say “Yes” to HIs invitation. Although we don’t get to see the final destination, we can find it by taking one step at a time.