A Wild LIfe
I would like to introduce Katie Marshall. She is a woman brimming with joy and depth. Katie loves meaty conversations. Her fun, joyful side is blended beautifully with a deep knowledge and love of God which is inspiring and contagious.
If you've ever talked with her, you would be able to pick that Katie grew up in New Zealand. The beautiful accent of our southern neighbours is one of the first things you'll notice when engaging her in conversation. Katie had an interesting beginning. She moved approximately thirty times before she turned twelve which enabled her to get to know her native land inside-out. She says it was only when she moved to Australia that she felt at home. Her move to Australia was a gutsy one. Four years ago, when she was only twenty-three, Katie packed up her belongings and headed to Sydney on her own.
She then began working at Sydney Wildlife World at Darling Harbour, where she works now as a zookeeper. Her days are filled looking after wombats, koalas and kangaroos. She also has part of a zoo in her home with her pet snake, Norbet. Although Katie loves her job, her passion for God has drawn her out of this and into full time Bible College which she begins in July. So how did Katie's 'God journey' begin?
I'll let Katie tell the story ...
"All my life I believed in God in a general way, but was more into new age stuff. When I was 22 I became friends with a Christian and I could feel the Holy Spirit, which was very new to me. Then I got out a kid's Bible and read about Jesus and I was really shocked by who He was/is. He was so loving to all people. I had had negative experiences with Christians but when I read about Jesus I fell in love with Him, and decided to follow Him ..."
Katie recalls that before she became a believer, she thought Christians were called to live a "boring life so we could get into heaven". On becoming a Christian herself, Katie found out that these preconceived ideas were wrong. She says she was, "shocked and thrilled by the enormity of that lie! God has rocked my world and opened doors for me and taken me on a never ending roller coaster adventure." Her experience of God has blown away the negative impressions she held before knowing a loving and dynamic God.
Her experience of the living God has impacted many at Pittwater Uniting Church. Everyone was moved when Katie shared part of her testimony one Sunday. She talked about one night that she felt God telling her to drive. He guided her to a particular house, one that she had never seen before. Cautiously she knocked on the door and told the people that God had sent her there. They were blown away. Katie had met them seven years before, when she was fifteen. Without Katie's knowledge, these people had been praying for her. She'd had no idea.
This experience fired up her passion to know God more. He has fuelled this hunger ...
" I just love getting to know Him more and more and finding all these treasure hunt pieces of Him scattered throughout the world. I love finding him in people and in His creation. I love to sit with Him, be loved by Him, then share that love with others."
This love has driven Katie to study. Her future is uncertain but that doesn't seem to faze her, "I feel that He shines a light at my feet and I am called to WALK (Micah 6:8) with Him." It's a one step at a time type of living that brings joy bubbling to the surface. Katie knows that by surrendering to God and His plans for her life she will experience contentment as she trusts in Him. She says, "I often think that with our callings we would be shocked ... if He revealed them too early. As we get transformed, it's the journey that's important ..."
This is a 'seize the day' type of outlook on life which focuses on details of each moment instead of the overwhelming big picture stuff which is really God's territory more than ours. Rather, Katie delights in the little things each day. She talks about her perfect day as including some intimate time with God and deep time with friends. It could mean tears, laughter or exploring nature.
As well as losing herself in the moment, Katie also takes the time to dream about her future. Over the years, she has found many of her dreams changed and realized, "My ultimate dream is to know God's love more and more and to pour that out to people." She also looks forward to the day when she has a family where she will have to opportunity to introduce her kids to Jesus.
Katie is one of those people who just oozes God. While her feet are firmly planted on the ground, her love and passion for God gives her wings. Let us uphold Katie in prayer as she launches into a new and exciting stage of life. As her sisters in Christ, let us always be available to her for prayer and encouragement and anything else she may need. Let us stand on the sidelines cheering her on as she follows God's lead into the great unknown.
