He Speaks

For all you P31 She Speaks sisters I wanted to share my experience at She Speaks 2012. I was blessed to have this article run earlier this year on Everyday Life at Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I trust you were blessed at She Speaks 2013. I am excited to see what the Lord is doing in the lives of his P31 women.

He Speaks

“The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (I Sam. 3:10)

Have there ever been times in your life when you knew the Lord was calling you to do something but you couldn’t get a clear indication of what it was? That’s how I felt as I headed to North Carolina for the SheSpeaks 2012 conference. I understood very clearly the Lord placed the conference on my heart and that I should go, but I didn’t understand why.

I have felt a nudge to move out in ministry, but fear of not hearing a clear call has held me back. I didn’t know exactly what the Lord desired. Should I focus on speaking? Should I focus on writing? Or should I focus on local ministry through my church? These questions held me captive. I needed to know one way or the other. I went to the conference desperate to hear God’s voice.

I traveled to North Carolina alone, mystifying my friends who marveled at my bravery. As I entered the conference center an abundance of activity swirled around me. The staff and volunteers of Proverbs 31 were bustling about making sure everything was in place and running smoothly. Very soon, the entire conference center filled with women from all over the United States, and other parts of the world. I saw so many faces beaming with hope as the women moved from session to session in pursuit of their dreams for ministry.

I was a little fearful as I moved about the conference area but that deep inner sense that I needed to be with the Proverbs 31 women at SheSpeaks 2012 gave me courage.

Finding Friday morning busy with sessions and publishing appointments, I finally had a chance to steal away and pray. The conference planners had set up a special room just for that purpose. By this time, I felt very alone and kind of on-the-outside-looking-in. Feelings of insecurity and sadness were welling up inside. I was discouraged and wanted to seek God before I simply gave up and ran home.

It was important that I pray.

My spirit broke as soon as I entered the room. I was overwhelmed with the presence of God and I sensed so greatly His wondrous love. I sat weeping when a young woman came over and asked to pray with me. I gladly welcomed her concern knowing she had no idea how much I needed her prayers. When she finished and left I silently thanked God for His graciousness and her obedience.

Wiping away the tears, I walked to the front of the room where the SheSpeaks team had set up a communion table. I was overcome by His love expressed through this young woman. I stood by the table and asked what I could offer Him in thanks. At that moment He spoke, “She prayed for you, now you pray for others.”

It was then I noticed the names of God placed on the tables around the altar area. Attached beside each of God’s names were neatly typed slips of paper bearing the names of the women attending SheSpeaks. I spent time moving my eyes from one slip of paper to another praying for each woman by name.

I was deeply impressed with the understanding of the powerful way God could move on their behalf. As I continued in prayer I saw my name beside God Most High. El Elyon. Our Sovereign God. The tears began to flow and I understood that whatever took place in my life and in the lives of each of these women, God was sovereign and in control. He has a wonderful plan in store for us. The plans He has for us, though individually designed, work together to fulfill His one master plan. We don’t serve alone. We are not unseen by Him. We are a part of a plan that is bigger than us all. What we need to do is trust Him.

The Lord spoke to me: He has clearly called us all.

I left the prayer room with a new resolve. I began to reach out to other women just as that one woman had reached out to me. Whether at the banquet table, waiting in line for the bathroom, or having coffee in the “She Connects” room, wherever a woman crossed my path I asked for her business card. I then asked that she share one prayer request. I wrote that request on the back of her card so I would remember.

I had the pleasure of meeting some beautiful, godly women from all across the country. Each one seeking to know and do the will of God.

–Tracy, from Albuquerque, whose husband is in the Air Force, constantly moving from place to place and carrying God’s word and God’s love with her.

–Heidi, mother of 10, desiring to live God’s will and love her family.

–Lori, from Illinois, who is working hard to share God’s message of hope with women everywhere.

–Laura, whose husband pastors in New Jersey, facing the discouragement of ministry and leaning on Jesus for wisdom in how to proceed.

–And Shirley, from South Carolina, waiting on the Lord to open doors for her ministry.

These are just a few of God’s women. These are “the called according to His purpose.” And we are all part of His plan, called to share His word and His love. Writer? Speaker? Ministry Leader? All the above. We are called to be communicators of the love and goodness of God who sent His Son to die for us.

He speaks to and through us all.

The message God has given me is worth being told (thanks Glynnis). So, yes, Lord, I open my heart to you and will go where you lead with this message. You are worth it (thanks Whitney). It is about You not me so I willingly remove myself from the stage; You are my confidence, (thanks Liz). I choose to operate in faith not feelings (thanks Lisa) for Your glory and Your namesake (thanks Renee).

I’m thankful I listened to His call to attend SheSpeaks because there He spoke loud and clear. May God richly bless all the graduates of SheSpeaks 2012. My exhortation to each of you is to go forth in Jesus’ Name and share His message wherever He leads. And if I have your business card (you know who you are), I’m praying for you by name.