Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24
The last year of my life has been Jesus fighting for me to realize that He wants more for us than for us to recognize He exists, He wants us to follow Him, leaving everything behind. Once I hit a place I considered to be ‘rock bottom’ I lifted my hands to God saying – “God, I can’t do it anymore. Your strength has to take over from here. I am choosing you. My world is broken and instead of trying to piece it back together and seek happiness there again, I’m turning to you.”
& little did I know, thats the prayer Jesus had been waiting on for 20 years. I had believed in him my whole life, and had honestly surrendered and given him so much of my life (my career, school, soccer, etc.) but there were things I still clung to for happiness other than Him. 8 months ago, almost down to the day.. I let go. I fully surrendered. I chose to pick up my cross and follow no matter what.
In the past 8 months He’s taught me SO MUCH. He’s shown me that a Joy rooted in Him cannot be shaken by my circumstances. He’s shown me that works don’t lead to salvation, but true faith spurs works. He’s shown me the devastating number of people in america that are lost, deceived by satan, under the category of nominal christianity. That realization has given me a renewed passion for kingdom work in the united states, something that I had honestly and embarrassingly lost for a time. He has grown my love for the church exponentially. He’s taught me so much about the Spirit and being one with Him. He’s given me courage and boldness to face situations I normally would’ve backed away from because I’m ‘too young’ or not ‘qualified’ for.
Some of the things “follow me” has consisted of for me this year has been:
– Saying yes to holding off on college and doing ministry in Kings Mountain. I asked God more than I’d like to admit, “are you sure it’s not time for me to go to school and get it over with? My parents aren’t gonna be happy.” but He continued to nod and remind me that I, in fact, had heard Him correctly and that He had big things in store. Since saying yes to this, He led me to begin a bible study/house church in the spare room of my house.. and WOW. talk about Ephesians 3:20. This community has been refreshing and encouraging. I have grown so much through this group, and especially being in this (honestly, sometimes uncomfortable) position of leading and teaching. (be praying for us – Jesus is just getting started!)
– Saying yes to 6 weeks in Africa this summer with Love Africa. Ill be serving in Zambia again, then Zimbabwe and Kenya. I am over the moon excited for what God has in store for this trip – and for the freedom He is promising to bring through it.
– The last big “Yes” is the reason I’m writing this blog. I said yes to following Him to North Africa this fall, to live in Ethiopia for 3 months. This has been a long process with His fingerprint on every step. God put this on my heart over a year ago – and has just now given me the green light that it’s His time. (He had to slam a few doors in my face to make me wait, because when He mentions Africa, I get a little excited and ahead of myself.)
I want to share something thats huge about this trip. It’s $6500 and I won’t be fundraising it. You know why? because while I was saving for my $5,500 trip this summer, the Lord brought me tons of opportunities to earn money… all the while, faithful people like YOU funded my summer trip – so that what God provided to me could fund this trip. So THANK YOU. Your giving not only funded one trip, but two.
Im beyond excited to use this blog as a place to brag on Jesus for what He’s up to, before and during my trips. He’s always up to big things – in KM and worldwide.
When He says follow me, it usually looks like a loss on your part… you have to give up EVERYTHING. But what you lost doesn’t compare to what you gain in
Him.
Say yes.
with love,
Lauren Rhett
