Let me begin by saying God is SO SO good and His plans are
perfect. In my last blog I referenced a fantastic book written by Bill Hybels
and told how it has challenged me to listen more closely to the Holy Spirit’s
whispers in my life and then obey it 100% without hesitation. In this blog I
want to share a quick story about what God has challenged me to give up
recently. I share this story not as a “hey look at me I’m so great� story but
simply to show a real life nudging from the Holy Spirit that happened in my
life. Many times I’ve seen that when God asks us to give, it’s not always easy
and its not always fun to follow through.
perfect. In my last blog I referenced a fantastic book written by Bill Hybels
and told how it has challenged me to listen more closely to the Holy Spirit’s
whispers in my life and then obey it 100% without hesitation. In this blog I
want to share a quick story about what God has challenged me to give up
recently. I share this story not as a “hey look at me I’m so great� story but
simply to show a real life nudging from the Holy Spirit that happened in my
life. Many times I’ve seen that when God asks us to give, it’s not always easy
and its not always fun to follow through.
Last month in Romania I was listening to a sermon podcast
about giving. I’ve heard many sermons about giving before but for some reason
this sermon spoke directly to my heart in a very specific way. As I was
listening the speaker said, “sometimes God will ask you to give your most prized
possessions and it will hurt�…she went on to explain that it’s worth giving up
our most treasured things to edify the body of Christ and love God’s people. I
realized at that moment that when I got back to America I was supposed to give
my teammate Chelsea Hoffman my Macbook Pro Laptop….ok you might think I’m nuts
but hear me out. As I continued listening to this sermon I felt the Holy Spirit
speaking directly to me about how much in that moment I was loving my laptop
more than God and his people. (sidenote: if you know me back home you’ll know
how much I LOVE this laptop, I left it in America so that it would not be
stolen this year and countless times I have talked about how much I miss it and
can’t wait to get home and back to use it…might sound dumb but yes, it really
is that great of a computer).
about giving. I’ve heard many sermons about giving before but for some reason
this sermon spoke directly to my heart in a very specific way. As I was
listening the speaker said, “sometimes God will ask you to give your most prized
possessions and it will hurt�…she went on to explain that it’s worth giving up
our most treasured things to edify the body of Christ and love God’s people. I
realized at that moment that when I got back to America I was supposed to give
my teammate Chelsea Hoffman my Macbook Pro Laptop….ok you might think I’m nuts
but hear me out. As I continued listening to this sermon I felt the Holy Spirit
speaking directly to me about how much in that moment I was loving my laptop
more than God and his people. (sidenote: if you know me back home you’ll know
how much I LOVE this laptop, I left it in America so that it would not be
stolen this year and countless times I have talked about how much I miss it and
can’t wait to get home and back to use it…might sound dumb but yes, it really
is that great of a computer).
So…when I heard the Holy Spirit saying this I immediately
was like..haha yeah right God you wouldn’t ask me to give up my computer, I
love that computer, it is SO expensive never in my entire life will I ever be
able to afford another one, the first time I received it was a gift straight
from you, are you kidding me Lord, seriously, this is like the only thing in my
entire life other than my car worth any dollar amount that is substantial,
you’re crazy God no way (all the while feeling very sick to my stomach and very
frustrated at my response).
was like..haha yeah right God you wouldn’t ask me to give up my computer, I
love that computer, it is SO expensive never in my entire life will I ever be
able to afford another one, the first time I received it was a gift straight
from you, are you kidding me Lord, seriously, this is like the only thing in my
entire life other than my car worth any dollar amount that is substantial,
you’re crazy God no way (all the while feeling very sick to my stomach and very
frustrated at my response).
Well, I finally settled down and was able to really press
in, Ok Lord, are you really asking me to give my teammate this computer? Really
Lord Really? Over and over I heard Him in my heart saying YES Carly this is exactly
what I want you to do, if you believe that I truly am a God of abundance and
hold the keys to the entire storehouse in heaven, I gave you the computer in
the first place so isn’t it really mine to give anyway? Do not worry child I’ll
take care of you, love your sister in this way, bless her in this incredible
way, and I will take care of ALL of your needs. (My family is going to think
I’m CRAZY Lord!) Don’t worry about your family’s hearts, I will take care of
it, all you need to do is obey and extravagantly give this gift. Do not worry
about tomorrow, I will take care of you.
in, Ok Lord, are you really asking me to give my teammate this computer? Really
Lord Really? Over and over I heard Him in my heart saying YES Carly this is exactly
what I want you to do, if you believe that I truly am a God of abundance and
hold the keys to the entire storehouse in heaven, I gave you the computer in
the first place so isn’t it really mine to give anyway? Do not worry child I’ll
take care of you, love your sister in this way, bless her in this incredible
way, and I will take care of ALL of your needs. (My family is going to think
I’m CRAZY Lord!) Don’t worry about your family’s hearts, I will take care of
it, all you need to do is obey and extravagantly give this gift. Do not worry
about tomorrow, I will take care of you.
Sometimes living a life of radical faith requires difficult
sacrifice. It may not be a computer, it may be letting a child go live on the
mission field, or giving up your own comforts at home, whatever it may be it’s
worth letting go of and watching God’s amazingly plans unfold before your eyes.
Blessing others with what you have is SO much better than selfishly holding on
to your “stuff�.
sacrifice. It may not be a computer, it may be letting a child go live on the
mission field, or giving up your own comforts at home, whatever it may be it’s
worth letting go of and watching God’s amazingly plans unfold before your eyes.
Blessing others with what you have is SO much better than selfishly holding on
to your “stuff�.
(A little more info- Chelsea was a graphic design major in
college, she’s incredibly talented and loves the Lord with all her heart, soul,
mind, and strength, she’s been in need of a computer that would be perfect for
her design capabilities when she returns to America so she can pursue jobs and
the Lord’s amazing plans for her life. I KNOW that she will use this computer
to bring God the glory)
college, she’s incredibly talented and loves the Lord with all her heart, soul,
mind, and strength, she’s been in need of a computer that would be perfect for
her design capabilities when she returns to America so she can pursue jobs and
the Lord’s amazing plans for her life. I KNOW that she will use this computer
to bring God the glory)
Long story short, I went and told Chelsea who refused it at
first but with even more resolve I knew it was what God wanted me to do so I
insisted, so when I get home I will be taking my treasured Macbook with me to
Florida and giving it to Chels to use it however God tells her to use it and I
anticipate amazing stories of God’s provision in the future.
first but with even more resolve I knew it was what God wanted me to do so I
insisted, so when I get home I will be taking my treasured Macbook with me to
Florida and giving it to Chels to use it however God tells her to use it and I
anticipate amazing stories of God’s provision in the future.
Again I’m not telling this story to make myself look good,
because honestly its been one of the hardest things to do with a cheerful heart
and spirit, but deep down I feel at peace because I know this is God’s will and
I love to obey when He speaks, He has NEVER failed me in the past and I KNOW He
NEVER will in my future. This is just one very real example of obeying even
when it’s not the most fun thing for me to do. I love the Lord with all of my
heart and if that means living without a computer to use, so be it, He’ll
provide, all I need to do is just keep trusting and obeying His voice in my
life.
because honestly its been one of the hardest things to do with a cheerful heart
and spirit, but deep down I feel at peace because I know this is God’s will and
I love to obey when He speaks, He has NEVER failed me in the past and I KNOW He
NEVER will in my future. This is just one very real example of obeying even
when it’s not the most fun thing for me to do. I love the Lord with all of my
heart and if that means living without a computer to use, so be it, He’ll
provide, all I need to do is just keep trusting and obeying His voice in my
life.
One last side note, God has a great sense of humor and
obviously some great plans head I haven’t been allowed to see yet, anyway in
Kenya (Month 6 on The Race) I was speaking online with Joy (a girl whom I
connected with in only a God ordained way- go back and read the blog if you
want a reminder of who she is). She was explaining to me that school would be
starting up again soon at the Seminary and she was in dire need of a computer
so that she could complete her assignments this next year. She simply asked me
to pray that God would provide her a computer and I promised I’d pray. The next
day I felt God say, send her your HPmini computer. Turns out the timing would
work out perfect, she needed the computer around the same time I’d be arriving
back in America after The Race. In my head at that time I knew I was coming
home to an incredible Macbook and wouldn’t be needing my small HP mini computer
that I’d purchased simply for The Race. I wrote her and said Hey I’d love to
send you my computer so that you can use it this year at school. She was elated
and eagerly anticipates the arrival of her computer which will help her
continue her biblical training at the Seminary and I’m so excited to bless her
in this way. She along with Chelsea loves the Lord will all that she is and I
know the computer will be a HUGE blessing to her.
obviously some great plans head I haven’t been allowed to see yet, anyway in
Kenya (Month 6 on The Race) I was speaking online with Joy (a girl whom I
connected with in only a God ordained way- go back and read the blog if you
want a reminder of who she is). She was explaining to me that school would be
starting up again soon at the Seminary and she was in dire need of a computer
so that she could complete her assignments this next year. She simply asked me
to pray that God would provide her a computer and I promised I’d pray. The next
day I felt God say, send her your HPmini computer. Turns out the timing would
work out perfect, she needed the computer around the same time I’d be arriving
back in America after The Race. In my head at that time I knew I was coming
home to an incredible Macbook and wouldn’t be needing my small HP mini computer
that I’d purchased simply for The Race. I wrote her and said Hey I’d love to
send you my computer so that you can use it this year at school. She was elated
and eagerly anticipates the arrival of her computer which will help her
continue her biblical training at the Seminary and I’m so excited to bless her
in this way. She along with Chelsea loves the Lord will all that she is and I
know the computer will be a HUGE blessing to her.
So anyway lol I have full confidence that the Lord will
provide however He sees fit in His perfect plan. If you know anyone with a
laptop they don’t need, let me know!
provide however He sees fit in His perfect plan. If you know anyone with a
laptop they don’t need, let me know!
Love my team…this is from India Debrief Mo.8
