Few things are as thrilling as having a front row seat to watch people take steps of faith and trust God in new ways. Here’s just one of many incredible stories from Faith, Hope and Love.
Meet Christina. She’s a graduate student who just took one HUGE step of faith.
Pete,
I wanted to write and not only thank you (and the entire staff at Crosspoint) but also encourage you by letting you know you are not alone in this stepping out in faith. (I’m sure you already know that by the hundreds, maybe thousands that are stepping up…)
Tonight was life-changing for me and I wanted to share it (and a bit of my story) with you.
I moved to Nashville from New Hampshire at the beginning of the summer to go to graduate school. Having grown up next door to my entire family and only attended college 2 hours away, this move was my “Jordan” moment. I graduated college in May, and moved halfway across the country 2 weeks later. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, yet the most rewarding. Looking back on it, I now see that I stepped into the river first, then God provided. It was a terrifying leap of faith- one that God rewarded through protection and provision. Since moving here, however, my life has become mediocre. Not in the sense of nothing exciting happening, but definitely in terms of my walk with the Lord. I am controlled by routine, stress, and worry. I work two jobs, attend school at night, and am barely making ends meet. I uprooted and moved over 1200 miles away and even on my best days question if this is really what God had for me. The series “Faith, Hope, and Love” has hit me right where I’m at. Several times I’ve considered throwing in the towel and moving home. Luckily, I have a best friend back home that won’t let that happen. He consistently reminds me that faith involves risk, and being “comfortable” will ultimately override my purpose. Being “comfortable” is not the goal- the goal is to be at the center of God’s will. Thankfully I have a church that is teaching me the same.
In all honesty, I figured God wouldn’t ask me to give… given my “circumstances” and all. I prayed “what role will you have me play?” with preconceived ideas that it would be to get involved or something along those lines. But money? I need that. Definitely definitely need that. There I go again, putting God in my “yeah, but…” box. I hate it when I do that.
So, tonight, I was really praying. Wanting to be a part of those miracles that used to happen in Biblical times… I always hear people say “well, yeah, but back then God moved more.” How sad! How quick we are to forget how much FAITH those people had to have to see Him move! So a number was on my heart… honestly, a “you’ve got to be kidding me” attitude swept over me… but I filled out the card nonetheless. You see, I have this small “just-in-case” savings account saved for the upcoming semesters, when I most likely will be working at an internship site for no pay… and not able to work the hours I need to pay the bills. Having a back-up plan is my thing- I am ALWAYS prepared (or at least I try really really hard to be). And I have my list- my “if I can’t make ends meet how long this money will last” list. Hence why I felt the “you’ve got to be kidding me” attitude when I filled out the commitment card.
Tonight, I committed to donating a one-time gift of $1,000… and when I sealed that envelope and tossed it into the offering basket, a wave of fear swept over me. Tears streamed down my face as I felt what those priests felt walking into the Jordan. “Okay God… this for real?” But now that I think about it, deep in my soul I know that I am about to be a part of something glorious… something heavenly… something eternal. This church has been my saving grace since moving here, and ultimately a God-given blessing. I know (and am SO thankful) that I am supposed to be a part of this church and all that it is wanting to accomplish. I have been reminded of what life really is all about- something I think I was slowly losing site of. In high school I used to walk on the edge daily, trusting Him with each and every step… my passion and love for the Lord never left, I just let life, stress, worry, and busyness drown it out. I want that back. I want to be so amped for what God is going to do- for what He has done and what He is waiting on us for. I want to be dependent on him- I want to save an extra $3.60 at Wal-mart and KNOW its one of God’s provisions for trusting Him. I want to follow Proverbs 3:5-6 and ACTUALLY understand what that means. I had a Jordan moment when I moved here- 5 months ago I leaned on His every promise to make it through just one more day… and I did. He provided for me then, and I know He will now. Am I scared? Terrified. My “what if He doesn’t come through” list could be miles long…but like you said tonight, I need to practice making a different kind of list… what would NOT happen if I didn’t.
Ephesians 3:20 says He is able to do exceedingly more than we could ask or imagine through the power that is at work WITHIN us. I think too often we over look those last two words. That power is in us, requiring us to step out, to trust that He will. THIS is when we see miracles. Faith is stepping out into the unknown… knowing sure well there is a possibility of failing, but trusting you won’t. I won’t. We won’t. Crosspoint won’t.
My “what if” list is now simply- He will.
I can’t wait to see what God is going to do with not only my sacrifice but of everyone’s at Crosspoint.
He has already begun to move,
Christina
