Turtle Tuesdays: The 'Green Light' Turtle

Today I am sharing another newbie in my turtle collection. My sister gave me this turtle for Thanksgiving. She named her B, the green light turtle.

When my sister told me her name, I knew it was a word for me. The Lord was answering my prayer with this glowing turtle. A green light means GO!

You see, I have been praying whether I should do a women's outreach program this Christmas. It sounds like a no brainer, but this is a little different from my usual speaking engagements. I would be ministering in a visibly dark place. This apartment complex is in a poor neighborhood with lots of drugs and crime. I have no idea if the women would come to a Christmas program. What better place is there for the Light of the World to be seen than in a dark place. I have to B honest though, really honest. It is not the kind of speaking engagement I had in mind when I asked God for one. : ) It's funny how God's answers always look different than I imagined them to B.

God connected me to this apartment complex over a year ago. A fire had destroyed eight units and those families lost everything. God nudged me to do something about it. I took a step of faith and God sent the resources. I lead the mission with other people from my church to help them get back on their feet. The Lord showed Himself strong and very personal to those single mothers and their children.

The Lord showed me some things too. He opened my eyes to the struggles that go on daily in a dark place. It is one thing to hear it on the news and another to see some things for yourself. I have been in this apartment complex when shots were fired and blue lights flashing. Yet, the thought of ministering to the women who live there will not leave me alone. I asked God to shut the door if this is not of Him. Part of me wanted to hear a door slam. Instead, I got a green light.

I am not the first or the last to get a green light from the Lord.

Remember Moses. He saw fire in a bush and the Lord spoke to him when he turned to check it out. The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering... So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."

Moses got the green light that day. It wasn't the only signal he received from the Lord. After the Israelites left Egypt, Pharaoh changed his mind. He wanted the Israelites back, under his thumb again. Pharaoh's army began chasing Moses and the Israelites. As they were closing in on them, Moses was looking at the Red Sea ahead of him wondering what he should do. He cried out and the Lord had a word for him.

He said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.

Green Light Moses! You know Moses didn't chose the Red Sea route; He never planned to walk through the sea. It looked impossible, over his head. Moses witnessed once again the power of God being with him. The Red Sea was just a momentary stop on the way to the Promise Land.

I think this apartment complex is on the way to the land God has reserved for me. Like Moses, I know He will be with me on my journey. After all, I'm His girl. B, the green light turtle reminds me that God's thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are my ways, His ways. I would not have planned to cross the Red Sea on foot or minister in a place that's over my head, having no idea how to do that. But I have committed my way to Him, knowing He will direct my path.

Maybe you are crying out to the Lord about what He wants you to do or where you are to go.
Watch for His signals. This is what the LORD says:

"Stand at the crossroads and look;ask for the ancient paths,ask where the good way is, and walk in it,and you will find rest for your souls."Jer 6:16

If you see B, the green light turtle...Go! You never travel alone.

Bhisgirl