HIS FACE IN MY JOURNEY
My Destiny (Life After Cancer)
"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." 2 Timothy 2:20, 21
After my trial with cancer, I felt like a new person. I had been tested, refined and cleansed, and I was ready to serve God with my life. So, I began to pray and ask the Lord to give me something big to do. For nearly two years, I prayed this prayer. My church was preparing to send a team to Uganda, Africa, and having always had a desire to minister in Africa, I submitted my application. But as I prayed about the trip, I felt the Lord holding me back. I sensed Him telling me that He had something else for me to do (John 8:47; John 10:4, 27). I couldn't figure out what that "something" was. The only things I could think of were small things, and I was greatly disappointed. But in obedience, I withdrew my application.
Over the next couple of months I grew exceedingly restless. Then, I received a phone call from the director of the Uganda ministry at my church. A children's choir from Uganda was coming to the U.S., and a volunteer tour manager was needed. The director told me that she had been praying for the right person, and she kept hearing my name (John 8:47; John 10:4, 27). Would I be interested? I did not know her very well at the time, and she barely knew me.
Being a tour manager for a children's choir from Africa was not something I had ever done. Nor was it something I desired to do. In fact, I clearly remember the day in church when the choir's U.S. tour was announced. As I watched a deeply moving video of their performance before the British Prime Minister, I envisioned the superabundance of details and hassles that would likely be involved. "Sounds like a nightmare," I thought. Being tour manager was not something I would ever sign up for on my own...
But as I learned more about the tour, I couldn't help but notice the parallel between the God-sized task of the tour and the God-sized project I had been waiting for. I quickly recognized that the tour manager position was an answer to prayer. It was daunting to be confronted with the reality of what I had prayed! I knew that it would be challenging, but I wanted more of God and I was willing to do whatever He asked of me. After all that He had done for me, giving Him 8 months of my life was the least I could do for Him. He gave me His peace and assured me that He would be with me every step of the way. So, I worked extremely hard coordinating over 100 volunteers at my church and securing a 2 month performance schedule with over 90 concerts, church services and school assemblies including transportation, housing, and various other needs. The level of detail required for such a task was outrageous! But when the choir finally arrived in the U.S., I immediately fell in love with them. These children carry something special of the kingdom within them, and what a joy and a privilege to be part of their lives and see God work in them, through them, and among them. The tour was a huge success and I had the time of my life!
As I look back on my experience with the Ugandan children's choir, I am overflowing with
gratitude that He chose me for the task. It was extremely difficult at times, as the weight of responsibility
was enormous. But His grace was upon me and He never gave me more than I could bear. When we
allow God to s-t-r-e-t-c-h us, we open ourselves up to great blessing. And oh what an incredible blessing
to be given the opportunity to partner with God in accomplishing His kingdom purpose! Working on the tour
catapulted my faith that God had used cancer to prepare me for my destiny. He didn't give me cancer, but He
worked it for good (Romans 8:28).
There is life after cancer. Abundant life. His eyes are upon us and His ears are attentive to our prayers. We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. When we seek after Him with all of our heart, He is faithful to respond in ways that are bigger and better than anything we could ever have asked for or imagined!
Oh, and by the way, the name of the group is The DESTINY Africa Children's Choir....His fingerprints are undeniable!
