The Storm Has Passed, Why Do I Still Feel Like This?
Standing on Jell-O. That is how I would describe the feeling I’ve had since returning to Florida in August — like trying to get solid footing on Jell-O. Every time we start to get our lives in order something shifts or changes.
* Becca and Zach moved to Colorado Springs.
* A week later we took Rachel back to college.
* Watching Hurricane Harvey (water was 10 feet from my brother’s house in Cypress, TX).
* Watching and waiting and waiting for Hurricane Irma.
* Watching Hurricane Maria (Is she coming here?).
* The Las Vegas shooting.
* Thankful to not be in California, too “hot”.
In the midst of it all, I am so glad that I can put my feet “on Christ, the solid rock!” Of course, that is when I remember to do so. And when I am not looking at my own discomfort or fear or anxieties. That is when I am not distracted by my busy schedule. God is faithful, I have to remind myself of that over and over.
Sometimes Disney Gets It Right
For a few months I’ve been reflecting on the concept of Calling — Being Called. I have been “called” by God to do what He asks of me. And God has been good enough to bring up that concept in recent days: in discussions, sermons, podcasts and even in a Disney movie.
Our grand girl, Khloe, loves the Disney movie, Moana. It is about an island girl. Her people love their island, they’ve been there for generations yet Moana feels “called” by the sea! This calling puts her at odds with her parents, with her culture and tradition.
I have felt called by God to serve Him since I was in grade school. 
I grew up in the church and in college God led me to Cru (Campus Crusade). I was discipled and taught and felt called to join their staff.
As Moana crosses the sea, she runs into storms and struggles. She is surprised that her clear and consistent call from the sea doesn’t guarantee “smooth sailing”.
Throughout my 34 years of vocational Christian ministry there have been storms and struggles. I too was surprised by the amount and intensity of small hiccups, medium hills and really tall mountains to be overcome. I’ve doubted my calling. I’ve struggled hard enough to throw it in God’s face, “I THOUGHT this was what YOU wanted, and now You are going to make me go through this?” Many of those trials have only strengthened my resolve that I am called, that I am doing what God asks.
When Moana begins her journey across the sea, she THINKS her calling is to help another so HE can make all things right in the world. Yet, that is the opposite of how things turn out.
I, too, thought I knew what my calling was, and that has certainly not been how things have turned out. A few of the surprises have been:
* wanting to be in New England yet being called to Southern California, then Central Florida;
* planning to be on a college campus yet being called to Cru’s world headquarters;
* thinking that when I got the last child out to college I could dedicate 100% to outside ministry yet being called to disciple two grand girls.
The smaller callings have been clear, and despite not being what I thought I would do, have in the end been amazingly fulfilling and satisfying. Moana reaches her goal, and gets back home to her family and people. My calling is still unfurling.
We Are All Called
We are all called by God to be in “ministry” — loving and ministering to others, telling others the story of Jesus, helping others grow in their faith and helping to send others out into God’s mission field. This is true whether you are called into vocational Christian work, or called to be a doctor, teacher, accountant, mechanic, computer programmer, etc.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19, 20
“He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:38
We are all called to prayer as well. Please pray for Andy and me as we are searching for a new home church (you may remember that our church closed it’s doors last November). Please pray for Cady and Kevin as they raise their girls. Pray for Becca and Zach as they settle in Colorado Springs. Pray for Rachel as she balances classes and lacrosse and involvement in her church. And please keep my dad, Jeff and his wife, Steff in your prayers. She is continuing to recover from her quintuple bypass and an external valve (LVAD). Pray for their strength and endurance.
Thank you for loving us, praying for us and standing with us!
The Kelloggs 