GOD > Me

Michael Ryan

Ever since becoming a Believer, I have heard God whisper that He wanted me to “go,” and I always responded, “I will.  Where do You want me to go?”  I never got the answer to that question; I just heard Him say it a little louder, “Go.”  

So, I tried to go to Barcelona…

Recently, a friend shared Acts 16:6-10:

[6] And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. [7] And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. [8] So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. [9] And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” [10] And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (ESV)

I wasn’t quite sure what I was supposed to understand from this passage, until he substituted my name for “they,” Barcelona instead of Asia, and Uganda instead of Macedonia.  Then he read it again and I wept!

I tried to go to Barcelona.  The Father said “go,” so I was going!  I really wanted to go on that trip because I wanted to serve with our daughter, Mary-Catherine.  I’m not certain why from God’s perspective it did not work out for me to go. Perhaps I would have tried to shelter Mary Catherine in a way that would have interfered with her ability to serve. But from my perspective, It felt like I was, “forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in” Barcelona.

I’m learning that when our Father says “go,” we don’t wait for Him to tell us “where”.  He wants to lead us to “where”.  We can simply start walking and let Him tell us where in his time.

Through a series of conversations God orchestrated, He has directed me to Uganda.  We still have 13 days left before we leave. It is impossible to express what it feels like to have my church family support me in prayer, encouragement, and love.

I want to continue to share this journey with you from all my unfounded fears to all the extraordinary things our Father does in Uganda.  Perhaps, God will use my journey to call some of you to “go” too.  God will show you that those feelings of doubt are not unique to you.  We are not somehow “less than” because we are afraid.  God is “greater than” because we are weak, and that’s a good thing.  Because God is “greater than,” we can take that first step anyway (2Cor 12:8-10).

Please pray for us.  We will need your encouragement and love beyond September 28th when we return.  It’s also not too late to support Gary Stewart, Daniel Andersen (former BP staff member), and me financially if you still want to give. Our combined remaining need is $4010.

More than anything, I earnestly ask our Father if maybe He might want you to “go” too!

In Christ,

Kym Satterwhite