"I Give Myself Away"

Submitted by Jason

     One of the first items that we sold when we felt that the call of the Lord was being confirmed in our lives was our digital piano. Francie listed it on Craigslist and we received an almost immediate response from a man that turned out to be a pastor of a church in Indian Trail, NC with intention to use it for his church worship team. When he came to look at it, he and Francie discussed the reason why we decided to sell it. He mentioned that he'd like to have us share our vision at his church before we go and that he desired to support us. I recall how Francie called me shortly after he left and tears ran down my face as I drove my truck. Tears of thanksgiving that the Lord was sending people our way to not only confirm His calling but to stand with us as we pursue it.
     When we reached an agreement on the property in Belize, we contacted Pastor Lonnie Riley of The Freedom Center to inform him of our departure date and he, in turn, proposed to us a date in which we could come share at his church. We accepted the invitation.
     On Thursday Sept. 6, we attended The Freedom Center. During worship, Pastor Lonnie and his wife Kim led the worship team in a song called, "I Give Myself Away". While I've never heard of this song before, the Lord poured out His love on me as they sang these lyrics:

          I give myself away so you can use me
          Take my heart, take my life as a living sacrifice
          All my dreams, all my plans
          Lord I place them in your hands
          My life is not my own, to you I belong
          I give myself, I give myself to you

     The presence of the Lord was so thick upon Francie and I during that song, it was almost tangible.  In the midst of it, I looked at Francie who worshiped beside me with tears streaming down her face, thinking of how this amazing God, that people have struggled for ages to believe in and comprehend, chose to use the very piano that I bought for her when we were newly married to wrap His arms around her through a vessel using his talents obediently with a lyric that perfectly depicts the current cry of our hearts.
     Who can fully comprehend this indescribable God that intricately orchestrates our lives in such a way. A God who scatters His promises throughout a book written by men, inspired by Him, with the power to transform countless numbers of believers into ministers of the gospel for anyone willing enough to believe in and stand on these promises. A God that you can't touch, but you can feel all around you. A God that surrounds you with His invisible attributes, but you can't see Him. I, for one, can not, but I'm determined to live my life with the purpose of revealing this God to others through me even if my life is spend laying a foundation on which my children can stand on to walk in a greater level of freedom for His call.
     Following the worship, we shared our hearts with the congregation. We shared about our journey thus far into the missionary life through pictures and testimony. We received communion with them and afterward, had the opportunity to speak with and pray with people individually.
     Thank you Pastor Lonnie, Kim and the body at The Freedom Center. We look forward to seeing how the Lord opens doors for us to minister together in the future.