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Obedience isn’t always easy, or enjoyable. Your mom may tell you to clean your car, or do the dishes, both of which you may not want to do, but because she is your mom, and you love and want to respect her, you do them. God wants nothing less when He tells us to do something, too. Like how the Bible tells us to honor and respect our parents, we must also honor and respect God. So when God told me to go to Haiti, I did it. I got my passport, packed my bags, and with your help, God’s blessing, and some asking I got all the money needed to go. It was a difficult week, which I haven’t shared much about, but I am still so glad I was obedient. I learned a lot on that week, met a few more awesome friends, got close to people, served my heart out, taught, met new kids and played with them, thank you God, that was another prayer request to like them. (until I shut down, I don’t naturally like kids haha) Lots of different prayers were answered, things/situation were fixed by God, bonds were mended, a lot of awesome experiences, etc. you name it, it happened in Haiti that week. It was crazy, and I was super exhausted. It’s been a week since I’ve been back, and I’m still a little tired honestly. It was good, it was just a lot. Anyway, back to obedience. Going to Haiti is something God asked me to do. I could’ve backed out, said “No way” and decided not to trust Him, but I am so glad that I did! I am glad to be able to go to Haiti, to share and take part in a new wonderful experience. It was a lot, and it was exhausting, but I don’t regret it one bit. Now, I’m not sure about going back anytime soon, but I am glad I went. God also asked me to read a book, “Passion and Purity” by Elisabeth Elliot. At first, I was like “Okay” and I went on Amazon to order it. Then, I read the negative reviews. All of them. So I didn’t buy the book, and this was a little over a year ago. About a month or so ago, I was reminded of being obedient and reading that book. It was definitely insightful, and I read it while in Haiti during our off time. If I would’ve read it a year and a half ago when God told me to, I could’ve saved myself from a lot of pain and strife. But did I listen? Noooo, I did what I wanted to do. Cause isn’t that always the smartest thing? Being better than God is not possible, it’s funny that I tried. Anyway, that book was very important in my walk, and I am glad that I have read it. Kind of want to reread, don’t think I fully comprehended it, but it’s an awesome book. I am glad I was obedient to Christ in that. After these things, God gave me something to obey that I’ve talked about before: dating a certain guy. I said no immediately. Again, playing God here. It took about a week for God to convince me this was the person He has for me, and that I need to trust Him. So after much thought, I did choose to trust and follow Him in this. Along the way, God has shown me even more evidence that this guy lines up with everything God had already shown me. It was kind of a scary thing, ya know? Not sure how it would, if it would, work out. We were so distant it seemed, but if this what God said was best for me, then I will wholeheartedly take it from you, my King. Thank you very much for it, this gift of this relationship. I love it and appreciate it. And one last thing God has told me to be obedient about regarding this relationship: do nothing. I legitimately feel like this is that Spongebob episode with the magic conch shell. They ask the magic conch shell, “Oh magic conch shell! What shall we do?” as they’re sitting in the middle of the kelp forest lost, with no food or shelter. And it says, “nothing”. That’s how I feel. God’s told me to do nothing, wait on Him, trust, and don’t chase. That’s it. Nothing else. Which, of course, is really hard. I want to move, to take this in my own hands, to be the commander of the army here, but I’m not. I’m not God and He is. It’s like standing perfectly still when everything around you seems to be moving. There’s a Bible story where an army is coming straight at Johoshaphat and his army, and God tells them to stand still:
2 Chronicles 20:13-17New International Version (NIV)13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord. 14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. 15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2020:13-17) In the same way, this battle is not mind, but God’s. He has told me to face them, face the one He’s called me towards, but otherwise, do nothing. He’s also told me to stand still relating to college, and wait till He tells me to move. So I will still in regards to that, too. I’ll trust Him, wait on Him, do nothing, and then I’ll get to see God move. Thank you, and God bless you, Melody
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Haiti did not break my heart in the same way that everyone else did. I don't really miss the kids. I don't like mission trips. I could care less about anything. I did not enjoy Haiti, I loved my team. I was struggling the entire week, mentally and spiritually. I had a lot of great support that I definitely needed. God taught me a lot. However, I can't say I gave my heart to Haiti, because I didn't. I tried and did my best, but the real me came out anyway. I was trying so hard to be “her”. The girl everyone loves. She loves missions, loves Haiti, loves kids. I do not like any of those things. I am not “her” and will never be “her”. I am me, and I think, no, I know, God brought me to Haiti to show me just that. He showed me what I'm not. He told me to stop being someone else. He created me the way I am for a reason, and He loves me just the way I am, because I am exactly Who I am. I learned, realized, I don't have to be like everyone else. I don't have to like Haiti, or missions, or kids. I can just be me, and that's okay. I did love Haiti in the sense of I had a great team, we were unified, I “fell in love” with so many people and so many people “fell in love” with me. In a team kind of way haha. I am in love with God. My home is wherever He is, and wherever He calls me. If God calls me anywhere, I will go. If He calls me to say something, I'll try my best to say it... if He leads me to date a certain person, I will trust Him with it, because I have to, and I want to trust God. I'll leave it all to God, lean back, surrender, and just be glad in who I am. I am Melody Lynn (Grace) Collins. I am the daughter of the King of Kings, and with Him I will have victory, for He is my victory and I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Thank you and God bless you.
Melody. |
Melody C.God has given me the natural talent as a writer. I felt Him encourage me in the direction of using my natural skill in writing for Him, instead of investing in skills that were basically going to waste. I have been writing my whole life. I love to answer questions, give advice, and share experiences. I hope you enjoy it, and I pray that God speaks through me and to you. If there are ever any typos, please ignore them. They will be fixed as soon as I notice them. Archives
February 2019
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