“Do you believe you’re missin’ out? That everything good is happening somewhere else?”
-Brand New, Jesus Christ
One of the many great lyrics from my favorite band is above. I quote this song because I constantly feel this way. One of the hardest things for me to do is to stay present because somehow the present never lives up to my expectations. This was not true of last week.
Last week I volunteered at the National Youth Workers Convention put on by Youth Specialties. I left for Atlanta with a heavy heart. I honestly didn’t want to go. Don’t get me wrong. I wanted to serve youth workers and I wanted to share an awesome experience with complete strangers (WR Training Camp breaks all your mom’s rules about strangers). But the Saturday before I left for NYWC, I had had a fundraiser completely bomb. Calculating in what I spent to prepare for the event, I made about $20.00. With a deadline coming up, discouraged doesn’t even begin to explain my feelings.
I planned this event. I advertised for it. We had almost 10 chilis at the event. Yet other than the chili chefs, only two families showed. After this loss (or what felt like one), the last thing I wanted to do was leave town to attend a huge event where I couldn’t be fundraising. I prayed for discernment and thought very seriously about emailing YS and telling them I couldn’t come. But God told me not to. God said, “Hannah, you have to stop trying to earn this money. I want to bless you with the funds to bring my kingdom. You need to go to Atlanta.”
I left that Tuesday morning. I left with my mind running over all the things I must do when I get back and my heart heavy, discouraged, and frustrated from the lack of fund raising. Everything seemed so wrong. And then Ray Charles came on my iPod and sang a song about Georgia. Now I’ve never spoken to Ray (he’s been dead for awhile), but on I-75 Northbound, with tears in my eyes, Ray Charles spoke to me. Georgia was now on my mind. Atlanta, Georgia was now the only thing on my mind. After Ray was done I immediately switched to praise and worship music for the remainder of my journey.
The first few days in Atlanta were a blur. Setting up the convention and getting ready for thousands of attendees in 24 hours or less is kind of a crazy thing to do. But Youth Specialties and the volunteers that sacrifice their time (and sleep) get it done and get it done well. I’m serious, the Great Wall would have taken around 20 weeks instead of 20 year if this team were put to the test. But in the midst of all this chaos, Jesus was present. There was so much love, grace, mercy, encouragement, and support in this group of people. It was needed. It was contagious. It was awesome.
Attendees started rolling in on Thursday. By Friday I had forgotten about fundraising. I was now focused on serving these youth workers well. These youth workers that were just out of college and ready to reach kids. These youth workers who had just been burned by their church and let go for one reason or another. These youth worker who weren’t getting paid for their ministry. These youth workers who are working an unsatisfying job while finishing school AND ministering to kids, because it’s what they love and what they long to do. These youth workers that still had pain that hadn’t healed from when they were in youth themselves. These youth workers that had lives back home that were in shambles or in hard, serious transitions. I was focused on loving and serving them well, because they love and serve others so well, despite the current circumstance of their lives.
This is how Heaven comes to Earth. This is how we bring the kingdom. When we are focused on loving and serving others, we are blessed. And it’s not a reciprocatory thing. We do not earn God’s blessing. God’s grace has been described as a shower and when we love others to our fullest ability, we step into that shower. And Good Lord, do we get wet.
From November 18th to the 23rd, the Georgia World Convention Center became anointed ground and the Spirit was present and tangible. Even the morning I had set aside to go to one of the Big Room worship sessions was derailed. I got to the center too late, but that was all in His plan. That morning I was able to share my story with a 19 year old youth worker who was just about to graduate and unsure of life’s plans. I shared my WR journey from beginning to now (of course telling her she should apply when she turns 21) and reminded her that though we can try to fill our own cup and our own lives, God wants to give us life to the full, He wants it to overflow (John 10:10).
Not even ten minute later I was given the opportunity to pray over a youth worker whose daughter had told her that morning that she was ready to leave a 4-year, abusive relationship. I prayed over her, her daughter, and the transition they were entering. That morning I was blessed and filled with the Spirit, knowing that the words I was speaking over these women were truth and were directly from the Lord. And that sense of love and encouragement filled me throughout the day and into the night, allowing me to speak encouragement into another youth worker who was tired, discouraged, and frustrated. A youth worker who wanted the next season so badly. And in turn, he spoke encouragement into me and even supported me through a donation to my race (thank God for Xorbee naps).
I write all of this in the comfort of the big chair in my living room. My cousins joking loudly with my brother while my grandpa is somehow sleeping vertically and snoring on the couch. It’s Thanksgiving and I have so many things to be thankful for. But this year, more than ever, I am thankful for youth workers. I am thankful for those that aren’t paid a whole lot to love a whole lot. I am thankful for those that spoke so much life and encouragement and courage over me last week, and who will continue to do so in the year to come.
I also write this to encourage you. Be thankful for where you are. You may not think you belong there, but this place, this season, this time…it will all be a blessing in the end. It’s a stepping stone leading you to your next season. It’s the words and sentences leading you to your next chapter. I didn’t think going to NYWC was the right thing to do, but God affirmed my decision through blessing me with new friends, new supporters, and $350.00 or more in donations for the next season of my life. Mark Matlock said at our closing meeting, “There is power in sacrifice.” I encourage you to sacrifice the time you have in this season to the Lord. In that sacrifice there will be power and there will be blessing.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
