Becoming
As a little girl, probably like many of you, I was often asked, “What do you want to become when you grow up?” I still ask that question of little ones. It’s almost as if we require them to begin preparation for their desired occupation when they enroll in preschool. As a child, my early responses consisted of becoming a mommy, becoming a teacher, and then becoming a chef.
But God.
I stutter.
Even in my earliest memories, I stuttered. Some days were better than others, but on bad days I simply wouldn’t talk. The teasing and hurtful mocking by other children was difficult. I would often go home and cry because their words hurt worse than sticks and stones and broken bones. The stuttering quickly began to define me.
Heather, the girl who stutters.
Once I started elementary school, I was enrolled in speech therapy. During my sixth grade year, I finally realized that if I would begin doing what my speech therapist told me to do, my stuttering would improve. My success depended upon my obedience and willingness to follow her instructions.
Due to my stuttering, God confirmed during my teenage years that I was to become a speech-language pathologist. My role was now reversed; all the while, He was preparing me to become more.
In August of 2016, my sweet Momma gifted me with tickets to see Beth Moore speak in Nashville, Tennessee. However, to be seated in the auditorium with Beth, the only tickets available were a combination pack. The ticket combination consisted of tickets to the Living Proof Live Event as well as to Lifeway’s You Lead Training. (Insert eye roll.) I did not want to go to a women’s training.
But God.
On Friday afternoon, I attended a You Lead session led by Mary Margaret (Collingsworth) West titled, “Letting Go: Walking Boldly into Your Calling”.
God had ordained a divine appointment for my life that weekend. I continued to listen to her speak with my ears as well as my mind, and my heart was earnestly seeking discernment from the Holy Spirit. Mary Margaret concluded her teaching by asking the ladies who felt as if God was calling them into women’s ministry to please stand. With the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I stepped out of the boat into deep waters. Other ladies stood with me surrounding me, laying their precious hands upon me. They were linking arms with a sister in Christ, interceding in prayer to our Father. The most precious prayer of commissioning was prayed by Mary Margaret, and the Holy Spirit continued to confirm in my spirit the new path God was laying before me.
In that very moment, my flesh waged a war upon my spirit.
But God.
He reminded my spirit how I had been teaching Bible studies to women at my church and how I had fallen in love with connecting the dots of His Word. He reminded me of all the ladies that had discipled and intentionally invested in me along my journey. He gently brought to memory that He had made my mouth, and He would help me to speak, just as He promised Moses. Within my spirit, I reached out and grabbed the nail scarred hand of my Savior. In humility, I committed to become a prisoner for the Lord and to walk in a manner worthy of the calling He had put before me.
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner
worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and
gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,”
Ephesians 4:1-2 (ESV)
God loves us. He loves us so much that He gave us Jesus. Jesus gave His life because He loves us. He bore the weight of all our sins – because of love. This week, we encourage you to spend some time in prayer, thanking God for His unconditional, reckless love. God schedules divine appointments for each of us. Pursue righteousness, seek His will for your life, and grow into the daughter He has called you to become.
Time to Unfold
- Read God’s Word: What is God revealing in His Word that confirms your path of becoming?
- Pray: Ask God to give you confirmation of your next step.
- Do: Be obedient! Step out of the boat into deep waters. His hand will hold you; you will not go under.
- Repeat
Leave us a message about your becoming stories. If your spirit is still battling your flesh, let us know. We would love to pray for you as you continue to walk the path of becoming. We have created “Be” Prayer Cards available for you to purchase and download as you walk your path of Becoming.
Becoming a Better Jesus Girl,
Heather
Heather McVey, a speaker and accidental writer, has a passion for connecting the dots of God’s Word. Her mission is focused on teaching women how to unfold the scriptures within their own life, encouraging and equipping them to walk worthy of their calling. Learn more about her in Meet Heather.
Praise the Lord for those who are willing to get out of the boat and start walking on the water. By faith and trust in the Lord, by being obedient to study His word, by prayer and fasting, we are able to serve and walk worthy of our calling. Really enjoyed this blog……caused reflection
Thank you for your comment Freeda. May we all keep our eyes focused on Jesus when we step out of the boat. Praying for you as you walk worthy of your calling. 🙂
Heather-Your transparency is one of the things I think makes your Jesus heart attractive?❤?I think of the song,”Oceans”.I want to dare go great things❤Wow! Becoming! Thats a loaded word!
God is teaching me palms up?Thats where I am at!Don’t be complacent. Dare to go the next level. Thats my prayer! Thanks for praying Jesus!
April, you are precious. I love your excitement to “dare to go to the next level”! Trusting without borders, palms up. Praying for you sweet girl! Excited to hear your “Becoming” story.
Wow … what an amazing story! I just love how the Lord uses the most “un”extraordinary parts of us to shine for His glory!
So true! We serve a merciful God who chooses ordinary people to do extraordinary things in His name. Thank you Linda for being so encouraging. 🙂
Heather, I was trying to look up an article and came across this tonight. Your testimony is such a huge encouragement! We would always leave You Lead events praying for what God would do after the event was over, only occasionally to hear the stories, and this was a huge blessing to me tonight. May God continue to bless you as you walk out your calling!
Thank you, and I am so glad that God crossed our paths once more. That conference and your bold commissioning prayer changed my life and I am forever grateful. God has a way of allowing us to experience a harvest at just the right time. I’m looking forward to the August You Lead conference. Maybe He will again cross our paths. 🙂