Slaves of all - Jesus Army
Slaves of all - Jesus Army
Slaves of all - Jesus Army
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Uncharted<br />
On 1 April 2007,<br />
Deborah Stockley, aged<br />
25, made a lifelong<br />
vow <strong>of</strong> celibacy. “People<br />
were a bit surprised<br />
at my choice <strong>of</strong> date,”<br />
said Deborah, “it being<br />
‘April Fools’ Day’! But<br />
the date was perfect for<br />
me – I love it – because<br />
through natural eyes it’s<br />
a very foolish thing that<br />
I’ve done!”<br />
Terrain<br />
into uncharted terrain...<br />
www.jesus.org.uk<br />
IN 2002, I was engaged and looking at marriage. By 2007<br />
I had committed myself to lifelong singleness. What could<br />
be worth giving up <strong>all</strong> prospects <strong>of</strong> marriage and children<br />
for? Here are some extracts from my “God book” which<br />
charts five incredible years <strong>of</strong> my life. It is hard to know<br />
where to start this journey tale...<br />
August 2002: At the celibates’ meeting someone said...<br />
“<strong>Jesus</strong> was focused and clear. He had no distractions.<br />
The celibate gift breaks through to change things; turns<br />
things around; gathers the committed; draws and wins<br />
and reminds us where we’re going. We’re living for<br />
something that will last forever and c<strong>all</strong>ed to be as radical<br />
as <strong>Jesus</strong> was. To go against the tide <strong>of</strong> this world, putting<br />
love for the kingdom <strong>of</strong> God above <strong>all</strong> else.”<br />
This got me thinking...<br />
15 October 2004: Counting the cost.<br />
I’ve been ch<strong>all</strong>enged over the last couple <strong>of</strong> weeks about<br />
the marriage or celibacy issue, especi<strong>all</strong>y as marriage is a<br />
real possibility right now. Tonight I was tot<strong>all</strong>y overcome.<br />
I was in that position <strong>of</strong> total surrender to God and that<br />
scared me – I wanted to run like hell. I’ve been fighting<br />
not to be in that “full and glad surrender” position, but<br />
the more I’ve fought it the more God has been taking me<br />
on that journey and the whole thing is blowing me away.<br />
I know that from now on whatever God asks me to do, I<br />
Continued overleaf<br />
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<strong>Jesus</strong> Life Three/2007 Page 9
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