God’s Perfect Timing
When Kayla left her job in 2020, she didn’t have another one lined up, didn’t know what she wanted to do, had some unresolved feelings toward the Lord, and was in need of community. “Salt has been a steady place for me to rediscover my love and passion for the Lord. I felt so burnt out when I left my job in ministry.”
That summer, she “happened” to be at the same camp where Live Salted Founder Krista Breilh was set to speak. They were both in attendance to celebrate baptism, and they left the event with a promise to connect, and boy, did they! “We had a real chat. She told me that she wasn’t sure if Salt was going to make it another season. It was such an authentic, real friendship kind of conversation. And I told her, ‘Hey, if you need extra help with anything at Salt, let me know.’”
And the rest soon became history.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13
God’s Pursuit of Kayla
Salt went on to curate more conferences, offer Bible studies, build a library of online resources, and create more in-person events where kingdom-minded women could connect, and Krista followed up with Kayla’s offer to help. And Kayla, with an available heart to serve, said ‘yes’ and became an integral part of each success!
She didn’t know how to get back to trusting God fully after where she’d been, but she did know in her spirit where she needed to be and how she wanted to show up. “I love spreadsheets and organizing things and doing anything I can to help behind the scenes. I think being involved with Salt was truly a gift from the Lord. I can see now that Salt was His way of pursuing me, without me being aware of it— because if you’re involved in any ministry, you’re going to stay involved in the Word.You just have to.”
As Kayla created spreadsheets and managed volunteers at conferences—God’s Word kept growing in her heart. Slowly but surely, Kayla began desiring intimacy with Him again but this time, she was certain she could go to Him as she was—flaws and all. “To have speakers at our events who are willing to be transparent and vulnerable about their struggles with Jesus is the beauty of this intergenerational friendship and community that is Salt. They created a space where community can authentically come and be themselves. We can come hurting, and come broken.”
It was through her decision to both volunteer and put herself in the path of Jesus that her heart slowly and surely began to heal and her feelings toward the Lord started to resolve.
“But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” – Psalm 130:4-5
Living a Life of Ministry
While Kayla is not pursuing a career in “ministry,” she is pursuing a life of one in every capacity. She recently moved to London where she is earning her Masters in Occupational Therapy. “I think we all have a call to ministry. We have to figure out what that niche or passion is for us. What is that thing that sets us on fire when we talk about the Lord? And then we have to share that thing and make Him accessible to everyone.” Whatever the future holds for Kayla, she knows she will do her work as though for her Father in heaven.
For Kayla, volunteering at Live Salted during one of the most challenging times in her life created a safe place for her to remain close to God while she mended her relationship with Him. Her story is a compelling reminder of how God’s pursuit of our hearts is always in a language that’s unique to His knowledge of us.
How has God pursued you through Live Salted lately? Did His ways come as a surprise to you? How did you respond? We’d love to hear your story. If you’d like to share it, please fill out this quick survey here. If Kayla’s story resonates with you and you’d like to volunteer your unique skill set within our community, please reach out to us via email.
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” – Habakkuk 3:17-18
Hana is the communication and administration manager at Live Salted. She is an author and blogger who is passionate about the written word and the power it has to connect people, create spaces for dialogue, to heal, and to inspire. One of Hana’s favorite things to fix her eyes on is God’s promise that she will bloom where she is planted: no matter what circumstance, no matter what place in her life. This is a theme found consistently in her books and blogs and she strives to inspire others to see the blooms in their own spaces. Hana is happily hopping from cafe to cafe in Seattle, Washington.
