God as Your Anchor

One of life's inherent traits is change.  Seasons change.  Babies grow.  And don’t even get me started on weather forecasts.

So if change is just a part of life, why does it affect us so deeply?  Shouldn’t we be used to it by now?

I am not one of those people that adapts well to change.  For me, flexibility is a learned skill, not a natural one.  Years of practice have prepared me to bend my plans to the situation...mostly.  And with enough coffee in me, I can go from Plan A to Plan ZZ without even blinking.  Granted, usually my eye is twitching, too, but...

One thing I have learned over the years is that God is constant, even when life is not. He's an anchor in a storm. 


In light of recent events here at MCF, I am holding onto that truth.

Many of you already know, but Mike Kerrick, our Campus Minister, survived a heart attack at the end of May. 

He is currently at home and recovering well.   He even recently got cleared by his doctors to drive and come to work on a limited basis. However, it’s a long road, and he will likely be continuing that recovery through most of this summer.  (Check out the “Caring for Mike” section below for ways to help or where to send gifts or cards.)


So where was God in all of this?  

Where He’s always been: Right here.

I can’t say that I know what God’s plan was or is in all of this, but I can see some of the ways He has already been providing for our needs here at MCF.

• Mike got REALLY fast medical care, which saved his life.  Literally.
   
• One of our students happened to be at the hospital when Mike came in to the ER. They were able to stay with him and pray with him through his procedure.
   
• Summer is the “slow” time for our ministry.  Which means if Mike HAD to take a month or two off, this is the time.
   
• After only five weeks of fundraising, I met my goal for my salary and became a full-time staff member at the beginning of May. Up until then, Mike was the only full time minister at MCF.

Some may call this coincidence or luck (or at least decent health care.)

But when you have faith in the God of the Bible, you know that often these "coincidences" are signs of Him working. The Bible is full of stories of “coincidence” and “happenstance” which reveal God’s character of a loving, involved parent. (Matt. 7:9-11) 

I can personally tell you that I am living that out right now in my fundraising.  It was not coincidence, skill, or luck that allowed me to raise the money I needed for my salary.  God connected me with the right people at the right time.  Fundraising a minister's salary can often take over a year, but God chose to do it in five weeks.  Now I have an amazing team of supporters who are serving God with me at MCF! (Want to hear more? Email me at monica.west.mcf@outlook.com to learn more about my support team and my other fundraising goals!) 

And I continue to hold on to God to anchor me as I step into my new role as the Associate Campus Minister while Mike is recovering.

I am new to ministry, but I believe that God brought me this far, and I trust He will stay with me.  I remind myself daily of God's faithfulness in my own life, as well as in the lives of the men and women in the Bible. 

"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see."  Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

"God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
    and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
    Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!"  Ps 46:1-3 (NLT)


If you, like us, are walking through a time of uncertainty, I pray that you will find the courage to allow God to be your anchor in the storm.

-Monica West, Associate Campus Minister of Women’s Discipleship

• Continued healing throughout the summer
• Him and his family, as they process this and adjust to a new normal
• Peace and rest
• Continued growth in strength and stamina
• Spiritual clarity as adjusting to this new life

• Kroger Grocery Store - Can buy in-store and mail, or buy online here.  
• Panera Bread
• Culvers
• MurrayEats.com - Our local DoorDash. Buy gift certificate here. 
• Willow Bistro (Can only buy locally)