Expecting the Unexpected

Written by: Michelle Martino

Hi friend! My name is Michelle Martino. I enjoy crafting, writing, reading, and spending time with friends. I grew up in the church, but I met Jesus in a large arena. I have an interest in video productions, but I’m no professional. I’m a Spanish teacher, but I’m not a native speaker. Some things in my life don’t add up at first glance. I believe it’s all evidence of how God uses the unlikely and unqualified for His glory. When I view my circumstances in light of who God is, it all makes sense.

I grew up attending the small baptist church down the hill. The one that has a simple brick exterior, a beautiful white steeple, and a vibrant cherry blossom tree by the back door. I’ve known of Jesus for as long as I can remember, but my personal decision to follow him came much later. 

If you’ve ever heard the Billy Sunday quote “going to church doesn’t make you any more Christian than standing in a garage makes you a car,” you’ll understand what I mean. I spent hours upon hours in those wooden pews. However, I wasn’t making more of an effort to know Jesus personally. I knew the Bible stories in my mind. My heart, though, was unfamiliar with His perfect peace, grace, and compassion.

Despite all the Sunday School classes I attended and hymns I memorized, I personally encountered Jesus in an event arena when I was 14 years old. My youth group ladies and I went to a conference for teenage girls. It was there, in the local civic center, that the Lord spoke to my deepest needs and desires. I heard him tell me that I didn’t have to pursue boy bands to feel significant. I didn’t have to strive to fit in at school. He was and always would accept me. He saw me. Only He could define my value.

The Lord could have easily whispered to me at my church, like we might expect, but instead, He met me in that arena. As someone who was obsessed with concerts at the time, His presence in that place speaks volumes of His character. It amplifies the truth that the Lord will meet us where we’re at, not where we should be or want to be. He pursues us based on where we are now. We simply must be open to listening.

After that day when I surrendered my all to Him, God revealed his plans to me. It took time, but I finally discovered my gifts and passions. My availability, my “yes” to God, unlocked the door I felt was closed off for too long. I thoroughly enjoyed video editing, and by a miracle, I immediately got into the highly demanded course at my school. It was after registration filled and the term started, yet God made a way for me. My teacher quickly recognized my strength and pushed me to reach my potential. From there, I also initiated the video production work at my church, where a team of us projected song lyrics, announcements, and images to the congregation. I now attend a larger church and continue to use my gift to glorify God with technology.

I also realized that I have a gift for languages. I almost effortlessly absorbed vocabulary lists and memorized every grammar formula in my Spanish and Italian courses. I decided I wanted to be a world language teacher because I was good at the learning process. As I took college courses, however, I realized it was so much more about effectively communicating and loving others than having a grammatically perfect sentence. This gift would really become my ministry. Comparison tried to rob me of this opportunity when I was warned that I’d never pass the certification tests and I would never be a good enough teacher. I knew Spanish because I learned it in school; I wasn’t a native speaker like the friends I sat next to in class. By a miracle, I passed those exams on my first attempt and landed my dream job immediately after graduation. My profession has become my ministry field; even if I never mention my faith, I reflect Jesus when I encourage and inspire my students.

If anything, friend, I want you to know that God’s peace and joy far outweigh anything the earth has to offer. Ephesians 3:20a says “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (ESV).  His ways are unpredictable, but God will lead you to and through the unique path he designed for you. God does impossible things in unexpected ways…and I hope you watch with me to see what He does next.

About Me

Michelle’s mission is to support others in discovering and activating God’s perfect joy in all seasons. On her blog, she writes about finding joy in the details and through difficult seasons. The joy of the Lord, not the joy of a happy life, is our strength in this world. Connect with her at ConsiderTheJoy.com.