Why you should ask a friend to go to church with you-
In 2005, I had just moved to Atlanta and my dear friend Leigh, who I had known since high school, asked me to go to church with her. I still remember walking into the old grocery store known as Buckhead Church like it was yesterday. Being overwhelmed by the awesomeness of the band’s worship music. The projection screen coming down, (yep we’re a video church…seemed weird at first =) I have no clue what the message was on that day but I remember laughing and tearing up a little. Most of all I remember the overwhelming feeling that I was home. It was the best (slightly scary) feeling on Earth! That was the day I found a community that would led me to what is now my greatest love… my ever growing, loving relationship with Jesus Christ!
Over the next couple years, as I drank, partied and thoroughly enjoyed having a good paying career, I also began to attend church a little bit more. The more I went, the more I realized I loved it, and the more it scared me. I distinctly remember thinking “if I really do this, I’m totally asking for trouble to come my way (something about Satan going after those who follow God) and then I really have to try and be good.” LOL! Then, I joined a group called Starting Point… it’s just what it sounds like. Next, I decided to volunteer with some kids at church, but just once a month (Obviously not pushing myself too much here =). Somewhere in between small groups and Nights of Worships. I all the sudden realized I was MISERABLE… I was felt like I was living two lives and didn’t know how to merge them or accept one and leave the other. That Sunday as Andy often does, he challenged us to pray with him if we were ready and ask for God to challenge us, to show us His will and make us uncomfortable. I prayed…then I kept praying, I begged God for His help out of the pile of mess I had created and prayed that I truly wanted His will in my life whatever it was, no matter how scary, I was ready!
That was Spring of 2009. For those who were around then you may remember it was not a pretty year. It went something like this, started off sad (I don’t remember why lol), started a new job, ended a long relationship, was robbed 3 times in 2 months, moved a couple times, and everything else life had to offer. In the midst of the chaos I started going to this small group. I prayed a lot, rarely missed church, and threw myself into the Bible… I kept telling myself it couldn’t get worse and then it would. Then one day it finally hit me… this was all happening for a reason. I realized there was a lesson to learn, a purpose.
Now I look back on 2009 as my turning point, as a blessing. I really look at each thing I thought was so horrible then and thank God it happened, even being robbed (each time). It all broke me down into the exact spot I needed to be. Because 2010 was different, it was amazing! I was baptized, went on a mission trip to Kenya, quit my job, got rid of most of my possessions and decided to travel, I was on the search for an adventure. I wanted more.
SO 2011 started in Miami, then DC and now Connecticut! “This was it,” I thought, “God meant for me to travel!” While I was in DC I realized it wasn’t enough. I needed to do something and be apart of something bigger than myself. Once again, I began the search for a challenge. This time it was ways to get out of the country. Learn something, do something, be apart of something. That’s when I found it… THE WORLD RACE!!! So here I am inconceivably grateful for the journey I am about to embark on… all because a few years ago my sweet friend was brave enough to ask me to come with her to video church in a grocery store! LOL!
Maybe you need to ask or maybe you need to say yes. Either way just try it, who knows where it’ll take you, but I bet it’ll be an adventure. =)
PS… Thanks Leigh! Love you!
