This time last year I was approached. But, this isn't what you're probably thinking.
I wasn't approached by prince charming.
I wasn't approached by some rando.
I wasn't approached by some head hunter.
I wasn't approached by a new best friend.
I wasn't even approached by a stranger in need of something.
Technically, I wasn't approached in the physical sense… kind of.
This time last year I was approached with a calling. Except I didn't see it as that at the time. In the technical sense, it was a job opportunity. In the life sense, it was so much more than that.
This time last year my church home was having a celebration. A welcome home party. It was a day where nearly 400 people walked into the waters of Baptism, declaring that they were all in. They were with Jesus. Gosh… it was a holy day to come.
But, this approach happened before that. It was all in the lead up. Changes were coming to the ministry I passionately served in. Someone I considered a mentor, a confidante, a friend had made the decision to retire. I never knew the ministry without her. But, God had a plan. That much I knew. That much I trusted.
I was taking a break between lessons when it happened. A parent started the conversation. A parent who also happened to be on staff. That conversation came out of nowhere… but did it? Like I said before, God had a plan. But I clearly didn't know it.
My mind started racing. And continued racing. All throughout that day. And night.
That night, I paused the thoughts. I needed to be in the moment. I wanted to be in the moment. And oh, was it a holy moment. Nearly 25 percent of the people who stepped foot into that waters that night were kids. Kids! And a large chunk of them, I had a personal relationship with.
You know that ministry I mentioned before? Well, it was kids. Having the opportunity to watch them boldly claim their faith to their families, complete strangers, and every familiar face in between was an experience unlike any other. The day was incredible, and incredibly hot. Half of the time I wasn't sure if I was sweating or bawling like a baby. I've never experienced anything like it. And it changed something inside me.
That night made me take the approach just a little bit more seriously. It made me trust in the unknown. It made me trust in the plan that I didn't create. Granted, I still questioned it. A lot. In fact, I questioned it so much that I even said no… a couple of times.
But here I am. One year later. I got to experience that day all over again. It wasn't like Groundhogs Day. Not even close. This time, I was in the water, witnessing, cheering on, and loving every single person that stepped foot into those waters.
The approach may not always make sense in the moment. But this time last year I had no idea it would take me here.