The photo happened to catch my eye. It was beautiful. It was different. It was something that my friend shared on social media because it was a piece of artwork her son made . It was also interesting that it caught my eye though, little did I know it would be revealed to me that God was wanting me to know something about myself…or would He?
Our call has always and will continue, to only ever fall in line to where God is leading us. It’s not just by one person but by three – God the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. It’s what we believe, it’s our foundation and it’s how we remain content in all our circumstances. But you may find yourself asking, “But how? How do I know for sure where I’m feeling led is right? Or is it where He wants me?”
The answer- the Bible. All that we need to know or hear from God is in the Bible. As you believe in Jesus Christ with all your heart, the Holy Spirit dwelling within us helps with leading, guiding and strengthening you as you learn and grow. God loves you and He wants us to grow in the grace and knowledge of him, Jesus Christ. So in order to find the truth in whatever we feel led to, we have the ability to filter that through His Word always.
For example- I felt led to that rose and after that, I felt led to a particular book. A book encouraged and brought in front of me, by a fellow sister in Christ and what a grand encouragement it was, especially from the perspective of a woman. In the very moment I was encouraged to read it, God knew how I was feeling. Unfortunately, VERY disconnected from His Word. In fact, reading my Bible was the last thing that I wanted to do. As truth can be told, we all go through those hills and valleys.
So in the biography during the 40s and 50s, Elisabeth Elliot followed her call to be a missionary in a different country as well. (Although her circumstances were much more physically and mentally daunting.) I’m sure back then, all those years ago writing down her experiences and sharing her heart, she could have never imagined the lives that she would lift up and strengthen. Like that of my own. In the book, I found purpose for my curiosity in that black rose.
From Becoming Elisabeth Elliot. Chapter 8. A Refrigerated Rose. “People cannot become perfect by dint of hearing or reading about perfection. The chief thing is not to listen to yourself, but silently listen to God. Talk little and do much, without caring to be seen. God will teach you more than all the most experienced persons or the most spiritual books can do. You already know a great deal more than you practise. You do not need the acquirement of fresh knowledge half so much as to put in practice that which you already possess.” Francois de la Mothe-Fenelon “At twenty, Betty was like a Talisman rose in a florist’s refrigerator, chilled, not yet open, and not yet rich with fragrance. Perhaps that would come.”
“She had thawed from a refrigerated rose to a passionate wife and mother.”
“I suppose the general opinion of missionary work says that it is intended to bring people to Christ. Only God knows if anything in my “missionary career” has ever contributed anything at all to this end. But much in that “career” has brought me to Christ.”
A Refrigerated Rose? I cried when I read all that. I cried because I knew that God was giving yet again another blessing in disguise. Chilled and not yet open. When I saw that black rose, in it, I saw myself just as the author described Elisabeth. With Spanish, a different culture that I yearn to learn more from everyday, pushing through challenges, differences that exist- once again I felt that I was not alone but I felt relief because of the truth that I know. God cares for me, my family and He is continuing to lead us along the way.
except the local colmado
a new home for a family in need
Serving all the people here in the Dominican Republic through our projects and our partnered church in San Pablo, we strive to be the well-oiled machine that only wants to bring out His glory in the end. It’s why we do what we do. From entering prisons, helping child sponsorships, distributing water filters, serving children-adult services at church, youth-adult bible studies and so much more- God brings the transformation, the restoration, as we continue sharing the gospel in Jesus’ name. Recently we had a wonderful praise- another Dominican friend sharing their desire to receive the gift of Christ.
Though I can feel frozen at times, I received hope in her story that led me to HOPE in His word. We of course can thaw into what we become due to our circumstances but planted in JESUS we blossom in His GRACE.
“I belong to God. He is faithful. His words are true. And transformation- the ultimate Springtime- already planted, is coming.” -Elisabeth Elliot
"He who testifies to these things says, "Surely, I am coming soon."Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen." Revelation 22:20-21
Vogsberger Family on Mission 