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The next step for me: Gainesville, GA

I have to admit, it’s still hard for me to say that without the gag reflex coming up a bit from somewhere deep within me. Now before you get really mad at me, let me explain. It’s not that I don’t like AIM or even Georgia for that matter. I don’t hate community living, in fact, I actually love it and think I was designed for it. Really my almost violent opposition in moving to Gainesville comes from the fact that I was tricked by God into doing it. Yeah, I said tricked. God pretty much pulled a bait and switch on me…he’s tricky like that. J Here’s the story:

When I returned home from the race I got a clear vision from the Lord to buy a house in Cairo, IL and start a community house there fusing together Prayer and Missions. It was Luke 10 meets Luke 18. Brilliant, I thought. So I wrote up a proposal and got really excited, started looking at houses in Cairo and found the one I was supposed to buy. I started praying and fasting like you wouldn’t believe. We were all rallied and pumped at the prospects. I had lists upon lists of stuff to do, things we’d need, wish lists, and repair sheets-I even received some donations for the house. These first fruits only sealed the deal for me and confirmed that I was in fact headed in the right direction.  YES! Vision in motion!!

Until Good Friday hit and God started talking to me about a few things. He was making it clear that I was putting the house, the process, the “stuff” in front of the vision. (yikes.) So he asked me to lay it down. Yep, Isaac style. Let it all go. Throw it on the altar. I almost couldn’t do it. I had been so excited, so sure of what God wanted me to do…hadn’t I?? 

I wrote my plea on a piece of paper that night, asked for forgiveness for making this thing an idol in my life and burned it before the cross with the rest of my team. A weight fell off my shoulders and I had peace. If God was going to bring back this Isaac, it was up to him. Enter the struggle of trying to trust. Of course God will give this vision back, right?  I had no doubts. Surely it will come in time…right?  Right?!?

 

Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Not sure of what I’m supposed to do, not really sure which direction to go in and BAM the Gainesville thing pops up on the radar. UGH. I stick my tongue out and think “I’m sooo done with those programs…I’m ready to just live my life for God. I’m pioneering stuff here!” (this is pride talking FYI…sooo not pretty.)

I sit on this prospect for months promising all the folks at AIM that I’ll pray about it. I’m pretty much not into it at all…but I have to be open to what the Lord wants right? And so I pray and I fast and I plead with Him to say no to this. I’m really shocked at the promptings I’m getting. Gainesville, Gainesville everywhere…friends who don’t even know what’s going on with me are talking to me about Georgia. People start giving me advice and finishing my sentences completing them with “OH! Going to Georgia seems like a great opportunity!” WHAT?!!?!

 
 
I finally let it sink in and give up my selfish ambitions and say yes. Yes to anything God. Yes to where you’re leading. And Gainesville it is. I’ve told some people that I’m going kicking and screaming, but really my thoughts have changed. I’m going because it’s where God wants me to be. I’m going because he said Go. It’s taken quite a process for me to get there…a whole vision unfolded, the house hunting process, a denied loan, and the death of my pride and selfishness. 

 
 
But I’m now Georgia-bound and know that it was God’s plan all along. Who knows the surprises he’ll have around the bend this time?