Experiences of the altar - Do you love the work of God or the pastor?

"My name is Elaine Cristina Scheffer, and I’ll share with you some of the experiences I have in the work of God. I got married very young, even before turning 18 years old. I was still young so I depended on my mom for many things; but I was already sure that my place was on the Altar. Before I start taking about my life in the Work of God, I want to open a parenthesis and tell you an experience that I lived before it.

            I came to church very young at 14 years old. I was delivered, had an encounter with God, and was raised as an assistant. The desire of serving God on the altar was very big. This call burned inside of me and I was sure where my place was. At that time I met my husband who was an auxiliary pastor already; and it didn’t take long for us to start dating. I was always in church evangelizing, taking care of the things of God. Everything was perfect, we dated for 3 years and I was sure that he was the man of God for my life. We got along very well, we had the same purpose, what would go wrong? I endured my family talking bad about me because I’d have to leave everything behind, stop going to school, and live for the Altar. But I was ready for it; it was what I wanted even before I met my husband!

            Almost 3 years after, not waiting for it, he came to me and said that we had to break up. With tears in his eyes he couldn’t explain so we cried together. Not knowing why we were making that decision we broke up. After so many years, it was very hard for me. Was my family right? Wasn’t he the right person for me? Only time would say so. After the crying days, I raised up and dedicated myself even more to serve God as an assistant; however not in the same church as him. That same week my family moved to another neighbor. I started working and taking classes at night to finish school; even so I wouldn’t miss a Wednesday or Sunday service. Despite the pain and missing him a lot I never gave up. 6 months passed without talking, seeing each other, or hearing news about each other. During that time God worked the trust in me. He made me be sure that my love for the souls and the desire to obey the call of God were above all; above all the feelings. I didn’t want I serve God on the Altar because I was in love with a pastor, but because of the souls. The desire that burned inside of me would be realized; I had this assurance.

            When God healed the wound, when I thought I had finally forgot him and moved on with my life, strong in the same purpose, the birth of his nephew reunited us by coincidence. I went to visit his sister and there he was. When I saw him after 6 months, I don’t have to mention what I felt. It was as if we were never away from each other but I limited myself to just look and greet formally. In reality I wanted to hug him and tell him how important he was for me! I saw the same thing in his eyes. I controlled myself and trusted that God was guiding my life, so He knew what was best for me. I went back home. The next day, the phone at my work place rang; there was no cell phones at the time, he really called my job. He invited me to go out. We met on a Saturday at 6pm. I remember the exact day, even the clothes I was wearing. We hugged each other and it seemed like it had not been a day away from each other. That same day we set up the date for our wedding that happened 5 months later.

            This experience served to show me what the real intention of my heart was. Did a wish the Work of God because I loved a pastor? Or did God send me a pastor because He saw the love I had for the souls and that my objective was the Altar? This was even clearer inside of me when we went back together; there was no doubt inside of me. It was by his side that I’d do the Work of God, by his side that I’d save souls, and travel the world being his auxiliary. He had the same assurance. 5 months later we started this path together, the same path we take side by side for 22 years; with fights and tears, but also full of joy and achievements.

            My friend, if you have a feeling to someone that does you evil, that brings you doubts, do not be afraid, be sincere with God and ask Him to take this feeling away. What God brings us nobody can take away from us! The right person draws you closer to God, and helps you to rich where God wants you to be!  If you desire the Altar, God will create situations to prove you so that you know what you have inside of you; and if your desire is really the Altar nothing will stop you from being used by Him!"

            “And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” Deuteronomy 8:2

continues next friday!