Scarlett has now finished her year as an FP intern with us. But what's she doing now…?
Here’s her final FP update…
Since returning from Albania (watch the video here) I have been swept away in what we so commonly find ourselves lurking in the depths of - busyness!
I enjoyed so much being about God's business, supporting Elbasan Christian Fellowship with their ministry to the blind and kids work and just building relationships with our Albanian brothers and sisters, that since arriving back in England I have filled my diary!
However, as Marc DuPont so wonderfully explains, good ideas aren't always God ideas, and before long I found myself in the middle of a storm. I was running on low, not understanding why I began to have little love for others, let alone love for myself.
By that time I was wallowing in self-pity, having finished my internship and being left feeling purposeless, with worrisome thoughts about money. The world tells us we must have a title; I'm 'a parent', or 'a teacher', a 'painter', or 'a preacher', but there was me, I'm 'a nothing'? I felt like I was nothing.
Gladly, some close friends from Church reminded me that I am the complete opposite of nothing. I am a child of God! A chosen one, given the promise of having plans to prosper me, to give me a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). I realised that my prayer times had been so preoccupied with seeking God's will for me, that I spent no time seeking Him, my Saviour.
When I changed my ways, in fasting, spending more time with God, and in reading His word, I was reminded that this is our sole purpose - to be filled "with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Romans 15:13).
In revelation and truth, Jesus calmed my storm. But I sure did feel His rebuke as He pointed out that I had little faith He would, or perhaps could (Mark 4: 39-41)!
Furthering my desire to seek God's counsel and return to rest, I listened to some teaching (including videos by David Pawson who is so worth hearing!). This helped re-ignite my passion for reading the Bible and increased my awareness of just how much wisdom it holds (especially in the Proverbs, which I am half way through). It was at this time that I remembered the prophesy God gave me during the Rising Tide Conference - that He wished to replace my vanity (busyness!) with wisdom. Oh isn't God clever! It seems now is the time He has chosen to attend to this desire of His. He has just been waiting for me to listen and accept.
And so my search for a 'title' has lessened and my search for His will increased, but only now that I am looking for Him, and not directly for His will... He has led me back into a place of living each day as it comes, led by His Holy Spirit and honed in at the sides by His love. Just please don't ask me the infamous question "So, what are you doing now?" Because my reply will be short and to the point - "living for God".
"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3.