DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Close Encounter with God, After Filming
LENT DAY 26 of 40, © NaimaLett.com/blog
© NaimaLett.com, FL filming
“It’s time.”
It was December 2009.
“Cut!” We had just finished a challenging day of “Lights, Camera, Action!” between wind gusts and downpours. Makeup wiped my face clear. Costume took my wetsuit. And I changed back into my jeans and hoodie.
I was then delivered – by boat – back to the palatial Florida lake house we called home for the duration of the shoot. There are few things more satisfying for an actor than having a full day on set, enjoying a great meal, then collapsing exhausted onto a lounge chair overlooking the sunset.
But the sun had retreated and buckets were pouring from the heavens. A light breeze flooded the upper patio. Thus began my close encounter with God.
“It’s time,” He nudged.
“Time for what?” I knew His voice.
“Time for ordination.”
That was NOT what I expected to hear. Seriously, when God visits and says, “It’s time!”, who thinks “For ordination”? But that’s what He said. And you’d think I would’ve fallen on my face in humble submission and surrendered, “Yes, Lord!”
Instead, I countered, “I don’t need no titles.”
Sorry Alma Maters Howard University, Dallas Seminary and Talbot School of Theology. I know that’s not good English, but that’s what came out my Augusta-Georgian-born mouth.
“I’ve served you for over a decade, Lord. I don’t care what people call me.”
“It (meaning the title) is not for you. It’s for them.”
Before you scold me…
… for arguing with the Creator of the ends of the earth, please know that I have walked with the Lord for many, many years and have talked with Him constantly throughout each day. I don’t always hear audible impressions like the one described above, but we’re in a constant dialogue. So, this was no different from our usual conversations.
But it was different.
He was emphatic.
Then He showed me a vision (which I share in my book :=).
My tears gave the rain a run for its money.
Eventually, I did surrender.
I ain’t crazy. This is God we’re talking about.
Back to the LaLa
We wrapped filming. I flew to Texas to perform my one-woman play and fulfill some ministry commitments, then I headed home to the LaLa where my husband and I made an appointment to talk with our pastor.
“God said, ‘It’s time.”
“Time for what?”
“Time for ordination.”
“Ordination for?”
“Was hoping you’d know. We’re serving here at the church. I’m preaching and teaching and performing God’s Word all over the world. Been serving in full-time ministry and the local church for over a decade. You know I was called a year out of college. Seems like God’s ready to make things official.”
“You really need to do the Doctorate in Ministry program I’m in.”
“After my last degree, I said, ‘It is finished.’ I don’t need a doctorate to serve God.”
“But you really need to do the D.MIN. I’ll get you the information.”
Long Journey to God’s Fulfillment
That, Fam, is how I unknowingly ended up as the first female in Talbot School of Theology’s Doctorate in Ministry Preaching cohort and a different kind of co-shepherd for a different kind of church plant in Beverly Hills. God used a pastor, (I didn’t know it at the time), who did not believe in women preaching to get me into a doctoral preaching program, and who confirmed God’s hand on my life and the presence of God’s Spirit in our ministry. He just didn’t know what to do with God’s calling or ordination. That was the first of several really tough journeys.
And I kept hearing, “It’s time.”
I simply put one foot in front of the other and took the next step that God laid out on a very adventurous path – with several bumps, detours and pastoral confirmations along the way.
Last year, I was ordained by our church, Hope in the Hills. And this Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day (and my husband’s birthday), I will receive the public Confirmation of Ordination from Rev. Dr. Sam Davis, Pastor of Beulah Grove Baptist Church where we grew up in Augusta, Georgia.
What makes this super special is I get to participate in this service with my youngest brother, Kamau, who is also being ordained after accepting the Pastor of Family and Students at Lake Oconee Community Church. Our family and friends are coming to celebrate. It’s overwhelming.
It’s Time
“It’s Time” took 2 – 3 years.
Thank. The. Lord!
I had a major transformation to go through and God knew it would take me some time to go from an Actor who preaches to His preacher who acts. His way of bringing this all about has been hard and beautiful and everything in between. And what He started after a day of filming, He was able to bring to pass.
Psalm 37:4-5 says “Delight yourself also in the Lord: and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” As I delight in Him, His desires become my desires. As I commit my way to Him, He brings it to pass.
Join Us
If you’re in GA on Sunday, please join us. If you’re unable to make it, please keep us in your prayers. And for for those who’ve asked about ways to give, feel free to support through tax-deductible gifts at Hope in the Hills, Beverly Hills. Know that you continue to help us make a difference.
OK, I’m off. I probably won’t blog tomorrow, as I’ll be in flight. Have a wonderful weekend!
It’s a privilege to serve and journey with you.
Let’s Celebrate!
Naima
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