Today i received a letter in the mail saying i had been accepted into Victory Life Bible Training Centre for 2008. It wasn't all that big a surprise, seeing i did an interivew yesterday morning and it was a very positive experience .... and also, the day before, i felt God speak to me in a dream.
The dream occurred in the early hours of New Year's day - what a day to tell me! I had been contemplating my future and trying to discern what the Lord's will was for me this year and then i had this dream in which i felt without a doubt, that God told to do it. I know it's not my own will because i hate studying and i have never wanted to do full-time bible college, especially not for a whole year. When i quit my job last year, i thought i was quitting to go into an elite job in the private sector ... not so!
So, this was my dream. I was in a massive building, that was sort of like a very fancy renovated heritage-listed concert hall, with many rooms. The place was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful with very high decorative ceilings, grand marble staircases, sparkling floors, chandeliers and at the time, there was an awards ceremony taking place with thousands of people sitting in a very huge hall, listening to speeches. Somehow, i found out that i would be receiving an award and that someone had arranged for me to receive a lovely bunch of delicated long-stemmed flowers! Upon hearing the news, i looked down and realised i was in some very shabby, dirty clothes, perhaps the sort i would paint in? I felt this deep feeling of dismay come over me. I knew i could attend the ceremony and receive the award, but i certainly wasn't dressed the part.
So i hurriedly began to search in boxes at the back of the hall for some more appropriate clothes. I moved from box to box and as i did so, the floorboards creaked and a few people in the audience turned around with very irritated expressions on their faces. I could feel the tension rising within me and a feeling of anxiety coming over me as i realised i didn't have much time to find something. I began to run around the venue and as i ran up grand staircases and around the periphery, i caught glimpses of this huge audience from different vantage points, all waiting expectantly for the end of the ceremony for the presentation of awards and the recognition of success.
Then i felt the Lord say that He wanted to bless me, but i had to go through a time of preparation, being trained and equipped and I felt as though He said i could go now as i am and enter into what He had for me, but i would not be well-prepared. Rather, it would be better if i went to bible college and received what i need to in order to be at my best. I suddenly realised the benefit and importance of devoting my year to Him and putting aside my dreams and desires for a year and obeying Him.
So the very next day, i drove to Victory Life Centre, filled out an application form and they asked me to attend an interview on the spot with Ps Ginny. We had a wonderful chat and we both felt a deep peace about it. I got my confirmation today.
The number seven is symbolic of completion and the number eight is symbollic of new beginnings. How funny that i should end my career after 7.5 years in Government in 2007 and start my next cycle of pressing into God and learning what His purpose and plan for me is, in 2008.
Over the last few months, i have had a lot of people tell me how great bible college is. In fact, at almost every service, i have walked in and sat randomly with people, only to then find they they had attended bible collage at Victory Life Centre. Every one of them said it was the best time of their lives - they had amazing fellowship and just soaked in God's presence every moment of every day. One of the pastors, Marika, sent me a message just two weeks ago saying she was praying one morning and felt that it was God's will for me to do bible college. At the time i dismissed it, because i had my own selfish desires.
I think i would have spoken to at least about 30 ex-students so far. Many said that they couldn't help but hear God's voice so many times because they were so immersed in the Scriptures every day. Others said their lives were turned inside out as God led them through inner healing in all aspects of their lives. They said they formed special bonds with their bible college mates and learnt invaluable skills.
My friend Justin, who i used as a referee, said when he did bible college many years ago, he learnt how to deal with difficult people in the work places he subsequently worked in. He said that was one of the most valuable lessons for him. He also learnt a lot about team-work. He cautioned me though, to be selective in who i shared personal things with. He said one of the greatest blessings for him was when the college director (he went to Rhema and Tabor bible colleges) took an interest in him and committed to helping him become all that God has intended for him. Mum is warming to the idea.
I haven't told many people yet.... still getting used to the idea of full-time study and hanging out with students again, living cheap, trying to make each dollar stretch as far as it can so i don't have to work.
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