Following God’s Call

 

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying ‘Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”*

Recently a new face appeared in the pulpit to give the message at church on Sunday morning. The speaker was Laura Auberry, a young lady with a bright smile who is serving as a summer intern.

When her parents were trying to find a preschool in Greensboro, North Carolina for Laura’s older brother, they found one through the Methodist church. That set the path for Laura as well. She grew up in the church, attending the preschool, then participating in Sunday School, youth group and going on mission trips. Church played a pivotal role in her life.

Laura had an analytical mind, probably due to the influence of her mother and father who were both lawyers. After graduating from high school in Greensboro, she entered Davidson College, in Davidson, North Carolina, planning on majoring in Political Science and eventually attending law school.

 During her first year of college, she changed from that plan and began searching for something that would bring fulfillment to her life. Being rooted in the church, Laura continued attending while in college.

 One Sunday morning, the thought came to her that perhaps God was calling her to the ministry, since reading, writing and interacting with people were her strengths. A female minister  encouraged and inspired her. When she gave Laura a framed scripture taken from Isaiah 6:8, it seemed to confirmed her belief that God was calling her into the ministry.  

There were still doubts in her mind and troubling questions. When Laura spent several months studying abroad, she became distanced from the community of Christians. First at Cambridge in England, then in Denmark concentrating on European studies, she felt like there was “no dock to put her ship on!”

When Laura returned home to Davidson College, the doubts continued and she began studying for the entrance test to law school. At the same time, she began an internship at Fairmont church in Raleigh.

Because the pandemic had begun, Laura would not have the opportunity to meet the pastor or congregation in person. It was to all be done over zoom. She did not see how she would be able to form relationships in this way, but through that experience learned the importance of listening to the needs of the people in the congregation. Many of them were older and felt isolated because of the pandemic.

 A weekly group on zoom was created to provide opportunity for fellowship and support. Although initially she didn’t think a virtual ministry could be fulfilling, Laura was still able to connect with people. “Their welcoming presence and their ability to be vulnerable with each other highlighted the beauty of God’s community, even in a virtual world.”

Although she questioned her faith and calling at times, Laura came to understand that she was uniquely created and prepared by God. She began to embrace the gifts that He had given her, believing that He would enable her to fulfill that calling as she followed Him.

After the internship at Fairmont, she decided to pursue the ministry and enrolled in Duke Divinity School. While at Duke, she lived in the Friendship house, a housing arrangement that pairs up young adults who have disabilities with students from the seminary. Laura has found great joy in the relationships formed while living there.

“We all take care of each other,” she said, describing what the term “care-giving” means to her.

Struggling through the first year of seminary, the doubts returned. Again, a verse from the Bible touched her heart and gave her the strength to continue. During a conversation between a wealthy young man and Jesus about eternal life,  “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” (Mark 10: 21a) Laura felt like Jesus was looking at her and loving her even in her place of doubt.

Now she is beginning her third year at Duke, again living at the Friendship House and following the call to serve the Lord in ministry. Laura defines “church” as a Christian community—accepting one another, caring for one another, experiencing the joy of worshipping and meeting God together. This special young woman hopes to reach out to those who need to be seen, who need to be touched and to know that they are loved.

May the Lord bless her…and all who desire to follow Him in this way!

*Isaiah 6:8 NIV