It was a hot and rainy morning when I finished loading the UHAUL and pulled out of Savannah onto I-95 north. Listening to the Forrest Gump Soundtrack a little misty-eyed, I realized with finality that God was moving me into a new season of my life. "Was I really doing this?" I questioned myself, "Leaving a job right after a long-awaited promotion - leaving friends, affordable housing, and year-round beach weather to go to seminary where it snows six months out of the year?" What was it that compelled me to do this - to drive over 1,000 miles up the East Coast to study theology for the next three years of my life?

Some would say - insanity. In fact, when I shared my plans with acquaintances and coworkers, responses ranged from, "Oh, isn't that nice!" to "What are you going to do - be a nun?" Of course good friends were very excited for me, knowing that the desire of my heart was to eventually be able to work in ministry on a full-time basis. But even my friends were not completely aware that going to seminary was not just a career move but a calling.

The fact that God had called me to ministry - possibly ordained ministry - was surprising to me, too. I had always been compelled to serve God in some way, but I had never considered that seminary might be the route God would eventually have me take - especially at the age of thirty-three. I come from a long line of clergy, so my going into the pastorate seemed to be a bit of overkill. In addition, I did not want to endure the conflict, stigma, and neglect that too often accompany women in leadership roles in the church, nor did I want to make my chances of marrying even more remote by donning a clerical collar! However, I knew even in my fear that God had given me the ability to preach and teach and minister to those who need him. In fact, God had actually been equipping me for ministry before I even considered going to seminary.

When God did call me, it was not through a burning bush or a celestial vision, but it was through a relationship - a trusting relationship with Jesus. Though I have always believed in the Lord and loved him, I spent many years of my life not trusting God, and though I was certain God answered prayer, I wasn't always certain that God would answer mine. Consequently, my distrust of God led to frustration, disobedience and eventual despair. Yet God did not separate himself from me; instead he rescued me and forgave me and reassured me that he was, in fact, the only one I could trust.

It was during this part of my life - of repentance and renewal - that God gave me a vision of what he wanted me to do in his church. Though it was surprisingly unexpected, he spoke to me through Scripture, and God did it in a way that I will never forget. Did I know exactly what I was to do or where I was to go? No. The details were revealed and are still being revealed gradually. Do I worry about how I will pay for another degree? Yes, but God continues to provide faithfully and to assure me, "Be anxious for nothing." Like my daily bread, I ask for his provision and assurance every day.

The reality is that every single believer (whether he or she goes to seminary or not) is called into ministry. Jesus said to his disciples and to every believer, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15). God through Jesus has made his will known to all of us. God's will is that we love him and love one another in Spirit and in Truth. This is our calling.

Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these" (John 14:12). Paul, a man who did "these things" confirmed that "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived that which God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). May this be true for each one of us.