His Love Compels Us

Bula! Thanks for stopping by!

We are not called to be successful, but to be faithful. Those are the words of Mother Theresa. Seek God, listen, obey. Do what you see the Father doing—be faithful in the little things and the large. I’m fallen, and selfish and unwise. That’s why I need God’s wisdom and grace centering me, guiding me.

In knowing Jesus, we are immediately welcomed into God’s family and able to hear his voice daily. We can be used by Him to pour love + healing onto those in our spheres of influence. The goal is not about accumulating wealth or making a name for ourselves. It’s about being faithful to what God desires, whether it means living among the slums in Kibera, or being the right hand man to a world leader, and allowing God to speak through you.

I believe that when we truly discover who we are meant to be, we flourish. Over the last six years God has slowly revealed my weaknesses and areas where I need healing, that I might also confidently know my strengths, my giftings and my purpose, encouraging me toward becoming who He designed me to be. He’s always working on us, if we let Him. He’s continually preparing us for the next step, and each day is forward-moving, propelling us toward His best.

One aspect I love about faith in God is that it’s not really about the rules and religious practices. It’s about knowing who you were created to be and living it out in freedom. When you realize the love God has for you, the overflow of your heart produces in you the desire to be near to Him and serve Him with your words and action, your life. His love compels us. In the song, From the Inside Out, by Hillsong United, there is a section of lyrics that speak to this: “Your glory goes beyond all fame, my heart and my soul, Lord I give you control. Consume me from the inside out.”

To do what God desires, it’s so important to identify how God uniquely speaks to us and to grow in discerning how He leads you. I am passionate about helping others identify this in themselves. Are you hearing God’s voice? What are your giftings and how are you using them?

If you haven’t picked up on it yet, I like to see change. Nothing excites me more than to see people actively pursuing positive change in themselves through God’s wisdom + love (like healing from their junk and becoming the best version of themselves). Booker T. Washington said, “Remember that everyone’s life is measured by the power that person has to make the world better.”  In order to fulfill that, we gotta get healed and be shown we who are meant to be. What are you dreaming up? Do it!

About Kate

Born Katherine Elaine Goodell, I grew up in the military lifestyle (GO Navy! Beat Army!)—always moving, traveling and having new experiences alongside my family. All the moving prepared me for an adventurous/transient lifestyle. When I met Noah and he shared the NZ dream, there was no hesitation on my part. It seemed God had been preparing me to live overseas and follow when He said, “Go.” Getting to know Noah, there was always this sense that we would be mobile and actively pioneering.

NZ: I lived there short-term, on the north island, in 2007, while attending a YWAM discipleship school. Going back as a couple to live, work and serve will be a whole new adventure. We know God has amazing stuff in the works as we prepare to come alongside what He’s been stirring in NZ.

I look forward to running the hospitality house and encouraging the youth + missionaries who will be coming through. When I served in Fiji with Marine Reach YWAM, my outreach team stayed three days in a home of an older couple who opened their space up to traveling missionaries. I knew then that I someday wanted to do the same.

In addition to the house and organic church involvement, we also hope to partner with social justice causes around the world. We can all be world changers if we each Listen to the Father + do our part in our area of influence.

Job wise, I am a published writer (mostly magazines). I have also had much experience doing assistant teaching in pre-k, elementary + middle school.

The Likes

I enjoy simple pleasures like writing, blogging, chronicling our lives with iMovie, sewing, cooking, reading (still attempting to tackle a huge stack before we leave the country so I can drop them off at the local library when I’m done), running, and photography. Once in NZ, I also hope to start running a side-business through etsy.com, where I can sell hand-made goods. It will be my creative outlet as well as a small financial boost.