Priscilla Shirer - One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land

Copyright 2010 by Priscilla Shirer

All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

978-0-8054-6476-4

Published by B&H Publishing Group

Nashville, Tennessee

Dewey Decimal Classification: 248.843

Subject Heading: GODPROMISES \ WOMEN \ CHRISTIAN LIFE

Unless otherwise stated, Scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible ( nasb ), the Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977; used by permission.

Also used: The English Standard Version ( esv ), copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Also used: The Holman Christian Standard Bible ( hcsb ), copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers.

Also used: The Holy Bible, New International Version ( niv ), copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

Also used: The New Living Translation ( nlt ), copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Also used: The Amplified Bible ( amp ), Old Testament copyright 1962, 1964 by Zondervan Publishing House, used by permission, and the New Testament The Lockman Foundation 1954, 1958, 1987, used by permission.

Also used: The Message, the New Testament in Contemporary English, 1993 by Eugene H. Peterson, published by NavPress, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 21 20 19 18 17

For Mary Elaine and George

Thank you for pointing the way to the Promised Land

Acknowledgments

Jerry, Jackson, Jerry Jr., and JudeI love you. Thanks for letting me take care of you and write a little on the side.

To my pastor, my father, Dr. Tony Evans and the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Familythank you for the sure and steady theological foundation that youve given me since I was a very little girl. Anything good God might do in my life has its roots in you.

To the B&H Publishing team. Jerry and I are so thrilled to partner with you. We cant wait to see what the Lord will do.

Lawrence Kimbroughwhere have you been hiding? So glad God has caused our paths to crossespecially since Im amazed at your perfect mix of skill in writing and passion for Christ. Thanks for sharing it with me.

To some of my partners on the journey to CanaanLisa, Shundria, Linda, Jill, and Rachel. Weve had conversations about deep spiritual things. Thanks for listening. Because of your relationship with God, Ive been challenged, stretched and... forever changed.

A Note from Priscilla

I watched her. For days. For weeks. For months that turned into years.

This woman was filled with Gods power, overwhelmed with His joy and consumed with His peace. She heard Gods voice on a regular basis and was seeing evidence of His presence in the regular rhythms of her life. She would pray and then believe. Expect and then see. Ask and then receive.

So I watched her. She was a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, a regular woman with problems and concerns just like mine, and yet her life was different in so many ways. More than anything, I wanted what she had, and I was determined to figure out how to get it. Our first conversation over two piping hot cups of tea began with a shower of questions. I just couldnt help myself. I was so curious about her relationship with God and how what shed learned on the pew had become such a startling reality on the pavement of her life.

That first conversation led to deeper, more intriguing ones that kept me on the edge of my seat. Like a little schoolgirl with my chin in my hands, I soaked in her wisdom and reveled in the times she laid her hands on me and prayed. A refreshing friendship developed, and I was challenged to be one of the few who would refuse to trust God with an ordinary faith or settle for a complacent walk with Him. I was compelled, not just to hear about God on Sunday but to expect to experience what Id learned about Him throughout every other day of the week. I wanted more of Him, more of His Spirit, more of His gifts, more of His fruit, more of His power, and more of His manifest presence in my life.

I must admit, its been quite a surprising journey. But once my appetite had been whet, there was no turning back. I was ruined. Mundane Christian living would no longer suffice. Not then, not now, and by Gods grace, not ever again.

Im so thrilled that you are with me for this ride because having company makes any road trip more fun. This expedition began for me several years ago and is still in progress. Gods call from mundane Christianity to a radical experience of Him has taken me down roads that, honestly, have been quite narrow. Not many travelers have chosen to take this route. It appears that not much has changed in two thousand years. While definite numbers are not known, it is believed that between two and three million Jews were freed from Egypt with the opportunity to experience the milk and honey promised by Yahweh. Yet only two of the original multitude of adult pilgrims would ever walk on Canaans soil.

Thats a startling ratio. Two in two million.

Hmmm...

One-in-a-million.

I guess I can see why many dont choose to go all the way with God. Ive sure been in that category myself at times. Its easier to stay on the main road where there are more people and far less uncertainty. And besides, the travel isnt easy when youre headed in the direction of abundant living. While Id like to tell you that the sun has glistened on every leg of the trip and the cool winds of ease and convenience have brushed across my face without incident, I cant. On the contrary, there have been some days when Ive had to take cover from the storms that life often brings. On occasion Ive had to whisper a prayer for help when loneliness knocked on my front door and came in to stay a while. When Ive met other travelers willing to brave these winding roads, our eyes have met, and an instant heart connection has been made. Without having to say much, weve encouraged each other to continue.

I thought I knew where God was taking me when I first started out, but each leg of this voyage has led into territory Ive never seen before. Sometimes its exciting, and other times its daunting. Either way, its a ride Id rather take with you.

I cant guarantee you much, but I can say with full confidence that you wont be bored. Gods way is too unusual and mysterious for boredom even to be an option.

Its been quite a ride so far, and I dont want to encounter whats next by myself. In the pages of this book, well traverse spiritual territory that will cover mountain peaks and deep valleys, grassy knolls and barren sand dunes, but the journey will be worth it. With the turn of each page, you and I will round another corner. What well meet around one bend will bring a smile to the depths of our souls while others will create a sting of conviction that will send us straight to our knees. Either way, the prize of abundant living will make the trip well worth it. So buckle up and grab a venti -sized latte. You are in for the ride of your life.

Looking forward to taking the trip with you,

Priscilla

Part One

Deliverance

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 10:10

Chapter 1

Craving Canaan

I was ten years old. I can still hear the roar of praise that resounded through our little church building that day. I remember it allthe woman standing there before us during testimony service, her Sunday suit complete with matching heels and handbag, her feathered hat bold yet tastefully exquisite, much like the others scattered across our small, traditional, African-American church.