"Are you fully engaged and running to the front lines to do battle with the enemy? Is your goal to be, and do, and spend whatever it takes to win this war? Enrolling in His army means Jesus Christ is our commanding officer, and 'making disciples of all nations' our marching orders. It means we will let vision pull or train, not budget, and trust God to supply everything we could possibly need to get the job done." -- The God Ask by Steve Shadrach.
As I read these words, I never felt more like an author somehow looked into my life, and wrote directly to me for this very moment in time... especially in a support raising book, not one that would generally pierce the heart and make you stop and praise the Lord. Here. Let me explain.
When I first began looking into AIM, I was informed on the final step in the application process called Connect Week. I was told I should begin to come up with around $1,000 for a trip to Georgia. If invited, I would be meeting people at the US headquarters, meeting with a counselor, and going through a few trainings. So, I began putting as much money away as I could each paycheck.
I continued to make it from one step to another, and during my interview was given a more precise figure -- $950 plus a plane ticket. Okay, well I may be able to come up with that before June.
The next day I did my taxes. I enjoy being a good citizen, and I am told that is part of doing the right thing. However, this particular day, I was not so much a fan. Turns out, I owed almost the entire amount of money I had saved for Connect Week, with no other substantial savings anywhere else. In that moment, I wished I was not such a good citizen. "How am I suppose to pull this together?! There is absolutely no way in making this possible!" I cried out to God all day, barely slept that night, and went to work the next day not really living up to my nickname, "Bubbles." I felt helpless.
I shared my plight with a few people. My heart was overwhelmed as the outflow of love from those around me. Many people just handed me money, because they believe this is God's plan for my life. They know my passions for the children of Africa, and chose to be a part of the very beginning process. I originally planned on asking nineteen people to sponsor $50, but before I even had the opportunity to ask, I had purchased my plane ticket and had $700 in my savings account strictly reserved for Connect Week. My heart jumped for joy, as I pondered all my Savior did for me. He whispered to my heart, "You see, I already had a plan. I have called you to trust Me, and know that I will provide all your needs. I have called you, just as I call all, to make disciples of all nations. Never doubt that I will not get you there. Just let Me do what I do best, and wait for the testimony that will follow." I was humbled and in awe of Him.
I shared this clear miracle on Facebook. That morning, all I wanted to do was declare His glory, and all that He had done for me. A great place to start would be the world social media. I praised Him, and shared how greatly my need had shrank. That day, another $150 was handed to me. No questions asked, but instant love and support. One even told me, "Let me know if you don't get it all, because I will bump up my donation. I just want to make sure and allow someone else to be a part of God's work." These donations have come from people I never would have imagined as being a part of this venture. I was actually really nervous to ask for support. After all, I have not officially been accepted and this money is not going to make some lasting imprint on a child's life (just yet). Rather, it gets me to Georgia. Although I knew the importance, I highly doubted that others could see why I needed to make this happen in order to bring the gospel to places it has yet to reach. Once again, God humbled my heart, and taught me a lesson in His grace.
As an assignment, I was asked to read The God Ask before arrival in Georgia. As I read chapter fifteen, called Vision - Driven Fundraising, the words resonated with my soul. Steve Shadrach explains how the vision and passion Christ placed in our hearts should be the driving factor as we raise support, and dive into full time ministry. When we focus on our awesome budgeting skills, and grand abilities to live simply, then our goal is making budget, rather than the advancement of the gospel.
I want to live this fully! I want the vision and passion Christ has given me to be what keeps me going, not how I am going to afford the things upon my heart. I want others to be inspired by the things God calls me to. I want to give them the opportunity to be a part of what God does around the world. I know not all will actually make it to another country, but what an honor to be sent by the people God placed in my life -- creating a beautiful partnership, and together we can take the gospel to new places.
Sure, I still have many unanswered questions. I have been given many possibilities, but I simply do not know what exactly I will be doing, or where I will be doing this work. What I do know is that I have amazing people behind me. These people see my heart, and want to be a part of what God will do through me in this world. And, I know that my God is faithful! He provides in unimaginable ways, and He never leaves His children to worry by themselves. I think of those daunting figures -- that $950 plus a plane ticket, and how small they seem now. I smile quietly to myself, and thank Him for His graces and mercies on my life. I know the final $100 will be provided for. After all, I serve a God who never fails!
As I read these words, I never felt more like an author somehow looked into my life, and wrote directly to me for this very moment in time... especially in a support raising book, not one that would generally pierce the heart and make you stop and praise the Lord. Here. Let me explain.
When I first began looking into AIM, I was informed on the final step in the application process called Connect Week. I was told I should begin to come up with around $1,000 for a trip to Georgia. If invited, I would be meeting people at the US headquarters, meeting with a counselor, and going through a few trainings. So, I began putting as much money away as I could each paycheck.
I continued to make it from one step to another, and during my interview was given a more precise figure -- $950 plus a plane ticket. Okay, well I may be able to come up with that before June.
The next day I did my taxes. I enjoy being a good citizen, and I am told that is part of doing the right thing. However, this particular day, I was not so much a fan. Turns out, I owed almost the entire amount of money I had saved for Connect Week, with no other substantial savings anywhere else. In that moment, I wished I was not such a good citizen. "How am I suppose to pull this together?! There is absolutely no way in making this possible!" I cried out to God all day, barely slept that night, and went to work the next day not really living up to my nickname, "Bubbles." I felt helpless.
I shared my plight with a few people. My heart was overwhelmed as the outflow of love from those around me. Many people just handed me money, because they believe this is God's plan for my life. They know my passions for the children of Africa, and chose to be a part of the very beginning process. I originally planned on asking nineteen people to sponsor $50, but before I even had the opportunity to ask, I had purchased my plane ticket and had $700 in my savings account strictly reserved for Connect Week. My heart jumped for joy, as I pondered all my Savior did for me. He whispered to my heart, "You see, I already had a plan. I have called you to trust Me, and know that I will provide all your needs. I have called you, just as I call all, to make disciples of all nations. Never doubt that I will not get you there. Just let Me do what I do best, and wait for the testimony that will follow." I was humbled and in awe of Him.
I shared this clear miracle on Facebook. That morning, all I wanted to do was declare His glory, and all that He had done for me. A great place to start would be the world social media. I praised Him, and shared how greatly my need had shrank. That day, another $150 was handed to me. No questions asked, but instant love and support. One even told me, "Let me know if you don't get it all, because I will bump up my donation. I just want to make sure and allow someone else to be a part of God's work." These donations have come from people I never would have imagined as being a part of this venture. I was actually really nervous to ask for support. After all, I have not officially been accepted and this money is not going to make some lasting imprint on a child's life (just yet). Rather, it gets me to Georgia. Although I knew the importance, I highly doubted that others could see why I needed to make this happen in order to bring the gospel to places it has yet to reach. Once again, God humbled my heart, and taught me a lesson in His grace.
As an assignment, I was asked to read The God Ask before arrival in Georgia. As I read chapter fifteen, called Vision - Driven Fundraising, the words resonated with my soul. Steve Shadrach explains how the vision and passion Christ placed in our hearts should be the driving factor as we raise support, and dive into full time ministry. When we focus on our awesome budgeting skills, and grand abilities to live simply, then our goal is making budget, rather than the advancement of the gospel.
I want to live this fully! I want the vision and passion Christ has given me to be what keeps me going, not how I am going to afford the things upon my heart. I want others to be inspired by the things God calls me to. I want to give them the opportunity to be a part of what God does around the world. I know not all will actually make it to another country, but what an honor to be sent by the people God placed in my life -- creating a beautiful partnership, and together we can take the gospel to new places.
Sure, I still have many unanswered questions. I have been given many possibilities, but I simply do not know what exactly I will be doing, or where I will be doing this work. What I do know is that I have amazing people behind me. These people see my heart, and want to be a part of what God will do through me in this world. And, I know that my God is faithful! He provides in unimaginable ways, and He never leaves His children to worry by themselves. I think of those daunting figures -- that $950 plus a plane ticket, and how small they seem now. I smile quietly to myself, and thank Him for His graces and mercies on my life. I know the final $100 will be provided for. After all, I serve a God who never fails!
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