All The Things

At times God asks us to do things that we may not understand. We wonder, “why would God ask me to do this if He has promised me something else or has brought me this far?” Much like Abraham sacrificing His son. Why would God finally provide a son who would provide a way of fulfilling His promise to make him the father of nations, to then ask him to sacrifice that son? As we read his story, we try to make sense out of God’s call on Abraham to sacrifice his Isaac, but in Genesis 22, Abraham simply acts out of obedience and doesn’t turn back to question God, or ask others what he should do, but he hears God’s voice and moves in obedience. I wish I always acted out of obedience as Abraham did. Instead I am usually like a horse or mule, as expressed in Psalm 32: 8-9-”I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.”

For those of you who do not yet know, I am back in Miami. While I planned to be in Spain for a little less than two years, God’s plans were different, and while I may not understand why God has moved the way He has in my life in the last few months. I am clinging to His promises that, “…We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). Throughout the last few months I have truly learned what it means to love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:36), even when it doesn’t come easy.

I share the story of Abraham because as he had to sacrifice his son, his most prized possession, God called Him to do that, not because the love for His son was bad but because Abraham had elevated his son above God. I feel like I am naked and bare in front of God, offering Him all that I am and all that I have. Praying and asking Him to just look into my heart, build me back up, and make me new again. Perhaps without even realizing, I elevated things above God himself. My desire to be a missionary, my dreams, and even maybe my desire to see people be saved. All of those, good things, but first and foremost I need to find joy in Christ. I feel like clay being broken down and reshaped in the hands of God, and while it is not fun, I know it will be worth it. While, I had my eyes set on doing ministry overseas in Spain for the next two years, God had other plans (if anyone wants more details about everything that happened please feel free to e-mail me elizo248@gmail.com and I would love to share further details). Therefore, I am excited and eager to be back in Miami, another city that desperately needs Christ.

While I will continue to wrap-up about my time in Spain by posting a few more blogs about my last few days there and how God spoke to me, I will continue to use this blog to share what God is doing in and through my life. As coming back to Miami has already provided many new ministry opportunities and I am excited to see what God does as I just draw near to Him and long to obey Him with every step that I take.