I'm from the midwest and am frequently asked (with a wink and a nod) -- so how is it out there? There, meaning, Las Vegas -- you know, "Sin City" as it is so aptly named. No matter where you live, life has its challenges and temptations. But Las Vegas -- why people come here, just SO they can sin! Okay, well maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but that is the reputation it has earned. You know the tagline -- "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?"
For me, moving to Las Vegas was a difficult decision. I had one child entering high school and another in college. I lived in the midwest and attended church regularly. Moving to Vegas just didn't seem to mesh with my Christian values. I had visited a few times. Let's see...we saw the Treasure Island show with its bevy of scantily clad beauties displaying all for my 14-year-old son to see. "No, Dorothy -- you are definitely not in Kansas anymore!" And yes, I know it may come as a shock to many of you but this place definitely has a seedy side. For instance, there are people walking down the Strip passing out cards for adult shows or tourists getting completely wasted. No, this was not a place where I wanted to finish raising our boys. To me, Las Vegas was incredibly deceptive.
Let me tell you what I saw on my visits here. Las Vegas is an incredibly beautiful city that is filled with palm trees. It is surrounded by mountains and has incredible architecture and lighting. Yet, when you look closely, you can see this city for what it is; an adult Disneyland that stimulates every pleasure center in your brain. It is a city with a dark pulse that is its very lifeblood. This is a city that grabs you and won't let you go. However, despite my feelings toward this place, God had different plans for our family.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 says, 11 "For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
One day, as I was praying about this decision, I knew what we had to do. It was not something I wanted to do but also, I knew God had a reason for us to move to Las Vegas. (Though for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why!) My friends from church asked "Are you sure you want to move there?" Well, I wasn't sure but I knew that it had to be done. God doesn't usually ask you to do something unless He has a reason for it.
I wish I could tell you things turned out great; that we bought a big house, that the family business was thriving and that we were able to see our family in the midwest as often as we wanted. No, life didn't turn out as well as any of us had hoped. The market here took a downturn. We lost a lot of income, and subsequently, our house. My husband and I also got a divorce. Surprising? Not really for "Sin City". But what is surprising is that through all of our hardship, I never lost faith that God was in the midst. Was it easy? No. Did I question God's sovereignty? Yes, sometimes. Did I come out stronger and more faithful as a result of this? Absolutely! You see, God does have plans for all of us. It may not be the plans that we expect or even want. However, His plans are so much greater than we can possibly understand. God tells us that if we seek Him, we shall find Him. If we pray to Him, He is listening. Most of all, He knows our future and He is there with us guiding us each and every step of the way.
Many of you are probably wondering if I wish that things had turned out differently? Admittedly, there were times when I did but not anymore. I know that God used these situations to mold me into the person I am today. I know that I am cared for and loved by a God Who loves me more than I can comprehend and He is giving me exactly what I need. My faith has grown exponentially. My future is indeed filled with hope in Him. So, when people ask "How is it out there?" Well, think of it this way; what better mission field than in "Sin City"?
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