I see the lonely and hurting children without a home, without a family. I see caged and belittled women who don’t have a voice(yet). I see churches filled with people who feel alone, out of place, and outnumbered. I see people afraid to share their story and who have never experienced grace and the unconditional love of Jesus. I see those with broken hearts from failed relationships and loss of life. I see young girls and women struggling to find their place. Their voice. Their worth. Kids and teenagers with a hunger for God, but no one to mentor and disciple them. Apathy marks their hearts.
I’m passionate about making my Jesus known. His love. His grace. Lifting the veil of “Christianity” and “religion”. Making known who a follower of Jesus is. Giving people a place to be known and heard. Offering the truth that it’s okay to be messy. Teaching kids and teenagers about who Jesus is, starting them out knowing His love and grace, that it’s okay to be real. Empowering young women through Jesus to step out and be who He has called them to be. Even if it’s counter cultural or different from what they’ve heard or even been taught. To lean into who God made them to be and use their voices, skills, love, life, and leadership for His glory. Taking the church from this institution and building and specific people group to going out and BEING THE CHURCH.
BE THE CHURCH.
We are not made to compete with each other, men and women alike. We are here to be fully used of God. Whatever that looks like. To be in true community, trust, building each other up, and edifying ‘the body’(again, both men and women alike). Teaching how to be a true encourager, servant, and to love fully. To see a new ‘church’ rise up, one that meets together but doesn’t stay there. One who goes out into the community, yes, but doesn’t stop there, continuing to go out into the world, creating more space for others to know my Jesus, my God.
Through writing I influence people— inviting others into how God is working in my life by being vulnerable, giving them a way to relate and for them to begin asking themselves vital questions and dig deeper into their own relationship with God. I form close relationships and learn about those people, asking questions, listening, challenging them in their personal relationship with Jesus and learning to love them well, especially in the little things. I love working with children and youth. Forming relationships with the young women in the church and pouring into them life, truth, and Jesus. Giving them a safe space, mentoring and discipling them. I continue to lend a hand in anything, especially the small things in ministry and in the church.
My personal passions and skills fall directly in line with where I see pain in the world and where there is need. Time to change the ‘church community’, to invite everyone in. To offer a safe space, real conversations, and ready hands to go out and make change a reality. To empower women and men to work together for the good of the Kingdom. To give orphans a voice, make them known, and give them homes and love and family. Time to empower leaders in mentoring and discipleship to multiply their efforts, no one goes alone. Enough of the three week discipleship courses—live life with them, speak truth, guide them in the way of Jesus. Cultivate a true family of God: those who love well, who encourage, give, and servants who are ready and willing with an open heart to what the Holy Spirit is speaking to them. To start a revolution of change, of love, of grace, of servanthood, reflection, inclusion, all ages, all races, all people in the way of Jesus. Living together. Growing together. Walking in his steps through the mountains and valleys. Dark stormy nights and bright sunshiny days. All things to all people. Loving as He loved. Be the church.
If you’re reading this, I want you to ask yourself a few questions, really spend time considering each and inviting God to speak into each and then answer these.
1. The World’s Needs: What needs do you see in the world around you? Where is the pain?
2. Your Passions: What things are you most passionate about?
3. Your Skills: What are your gifts? Where do you excel?
4. Intersection: Where and how do these three things intersect?
There you have it, that all too oblivious question and concern-what is your calling? This should be a good start. Share with a friend, family member, at your small group, etc. let them confirm what God has revealed to you and what your passions and skills mean and where you can and will be used to build the kingdom.
Xoxo,
Becca
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Becca Clark
