Which way? HIS way!

When you pray for God's will, you have to be able to accept it either way. Sometimes God's plan for you will be the plan that you wanted, and sometimes, it is not. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must learn to trust him and know that what we sinful humans of limited knowledge think may be best for us. After much prayer, my Heavenly Father has shown me that this trip to Africa that I had been planning for, is not his Will for me at the moment. A good friend of mine reminded me that we gain wisdom from seeking the Lord's will. Remembering that the one thing that Solomon asked for was Wisdom, I know that it is far more important to gain wisdom from the Lord and to follow his will, then try to "choose my own adventure." Another great friend, and a woman with an incredible gift for seeing the Lord's beauty shared with me that "the Lord never shows you something and doesn't give you something better." I know that this mission trip to Africa, whether the same trip at a later time, or another trip that is to an unexpected pace, or an unexpected need. I write this as I listen to "Where you go, I'll go. Where you stay, I'll stay. When you move, I'll move. I will follow you." I think of His plan that he has so perfectly mapped out and how he reminds me in John 14:6-7 of how he "Is the way." I want so much to go serve him, yet I forget that I need to dwell in Him and follow him, knowing that HE IS THE WAY, and no other way would be better than the road that follows Christ wholeheartedly!

I would like to share a letter that I have written to friends and family regarding my choice to follow the Lord and see where HIS plan takes me:

Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you know, I was working toward the goal of traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo in January to work with Wycliffe Associates, and a Wycliffe family there. I have spent much time in prayer with the Lord and continue to pray for His will. Prayer after Prayer leaves me feeling blessed and knowing that the Lord is giving me amazing opportunities and blessing me beyond anything I could have imagined.

The Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to travel to Pine River, Minnesota to spend 5 ½ weeks at Trout Lake Camps and babysit two beautiful children while their mom ministers to hundreds of campers. I have been able to learn things about myself, about God and about loving others. As I continue my journey here at camp, I am excited to continue to grow in my relationship with the Lord!

In four weeks, I will have the opportunity to study at North Central University and major in Worship Arts and Intercultural Studies. I know that the Lord is calling me to NCU and blessing me with the opportunity to study that I didn’t know was possible this year. There are opportunities and challenges that the Lord has for me at NCU and I know that these are going to help me grow and love our Lord even more than I can imagine today.

The blessings that the Lord have given me are more than I could ask for. As I continue to pray for his will, and continue to seek advice from parents, college advisors and other Christian mentors, I have come to realize that it is not in the Lord’s plans to me to travel to Africa this coming year. I continue every day to pray for the Lord’s will for my life, and I know that this is still something that I feel strongly about and will continue to pray about until the Lord feels that it is time to answer my prayers.

I thank you all for your prayers and love. I pray that the Lord blesses each of you as you continue to grow closer to Him and His love.

Blessings!

Hayli Shaw

I woud like to thank you for your prayers! I am praying for you all as well, and praying that the Lord pours blessings onto you, as he has for me!

Jeremiah 29:11