Recently, I have begun to look back at the seasons of life that carried me through life and have placed me where I am now. Thankfulness runs down my cheeks through tears as I worship God for the things that I have been through and the life that I have been given.
His faithfulness exuberates beauty and His love is beyond comprehension.
This man is my God and He is more than enough.
Every season without fail, I’ve gathered a piece of preparation for the next. How much – has been up to me as I get out of it what I put into it. As I gaze upon this principle, I am in constant reminder to be consistently intentional and patiently expect the harvest from the seeds currently being sewn. These very seeds in my hand are the seeds that will continue to launch me into my eternal destiny.
These seeds like all seeds, matter. This season like all seasons, counts.
Wishing for a season to pass is not heading the lessons to be learned now, yet hoping to be prepared for later. Every season has something to offer, whether it be wind, rain, ice, snow, or sunshine.
A purpose has been given to all.
I can’t help but to notice the importance of
every year. every day. every hour. every second. every breath.
as the concept of time really grabs a hold of me.
If it weren’t for the season of yesterday, today wouldn’t be the same.
Examining particularly these past three years, I’m awestruck by the fingerprints of God in my life. I recognize the importance of every decision I make being lead by the still voice of God. I replay my life and can visually see that the choices of my past have and are going to continue to determine the outcome of my future.
Questioning myself, I ponder what I have done within the last few years to help me get where I am at today and where I am heading? I can’t say that I’ve done all that I could've, but I can tell you that the greatest thing that I’ve done is say NO to myself to serve a greater YES!
When it’s been tempting to take out school loans,
I’ve said no.
When it was tempting to buy a brand new car rather than going without and saving up until I could pay one off,
I’ve said no.
When it’s been tempting to move out of the house and be on my own instead of living with my parents and having free rent,
I’ve said no.
When it’s been tempting to go shopping every season for the latest and greatest fashion trends instead of wearing what I already have,
I’ve said no.
When it’s been tempting to quit college and instead move to Africa and love orphans not in God’s timing,
I’ve said no.
When it’s been tempting to quit my full-time job instead of working full time to stay out of debt, pay for school, and the little bills I have,
I’ve said no.
When it’s been tempting to forsake my dream in order to get married and start a family instead of fulfilling this desire of mine to do The World Race,
I’ve said no.
When it’s been tempting to stay comfortable in America with all my dear friends and family instead of traveling the world and preaching the Gospel,
I’ve said no.
When it’s tempting to say this mountain is more than what I can climb instead of knowing that God is control and He will provide the way,
I’ve said no.
When it’s been tempting to want to keep all of my stuff to come home to instead of encouraging the idea of selling it all for proceeds if needed,
I’ve said no.
When it’s been tempting to keep my car that I worked so hard for instead of selling it if I have to for the funding of my trip,
I’ve said no.
When it's been tempting to take summers off instead of going school non stop,
I’ve said no.
When it's been tempting to follow my own plan instead of trusting God's timing and provision,
I've said no.
When it’s been tempting to not sacrifice at all instead of giving it my everything,
I’ve said no.
What’s crazy to me is the lamp that leads me, is the spot light into eternity and knows the beginning from the end. God knew that one day I would travel to these 11 countries. Not only that I would travel these 11 countries, but he knew exactly what it would take for me to do so.
I can tell you for me it has taken a lot of saying NO to things I think I want in order to say YES to the much greater things that He has in store for me. Only through the leading of his Spirit and through God's strength has this ever been possible.
It has taken sacrifice.
Often times I feel as if I have burdened people to donate my cause, but when I do God always reminds they aren’t donating to me, they are donating to Him.
Struck by humility, my heart begins to realign with the beat of His. Jesus says that when you give to the least of these, you have given unto me. I want to make that clear, that when you give unto me, who then will also give to others all around the world, you are giving unto Him and no one else.
I don’t ask for support, prayers, and financial contributions for the fame, the name, or to play the game. Rather, I ask for these things to give you an opportunity to offer something to the Lord for his purpose, His plan, His people, and the things of Him.
My heart is for everyone to realize that you’re not in this alone; I too have sacrificed and will continue to do so not only for this trip, but also for the rest of my life.
Whatever the cost, my NO is always worth my YES!
Below is a poem that the Lord gave me about the sacrifices that I have made when I was reflecting on the seeds that I have sewn and the fruit that will and is coming about from it. Please know that this isn’t me bragging, rather it’s me sharing with you my life and my commitment to what the Lord has for me.
A word of great intensity, sacrifice, is stirred within my spirit.
It has a lot to say, speak, and deliver.
For all who have ears, please hear it.
Creating tension, mixed feelings, in a world full of greed and everyone in need.
With power and might, I proclaim when this word is spoken,
Things begin to happen and things get to shaking.
Asking, seeking, knocking from loved ones and dear friends.
These things I consisitently do.
But the question that poses much deeper is.
What is my part and what shall I do?
Asking and not sacrificing is theft from a giver’s heart.
If I am not living it myself, I refuse to ask you to be apart.
It’s not about the money, rather a greater purpose that’s at hand.
It’s about being the hands and feet of JESUS
And spreading His glory throughout this land.
Examining my stewardship and the things that I’ve done.
Not to toot my own horn,
but to ensure that we are all on page one.
Three years ago, begging God for direction.
I was obedient to my authority on earth.
Came home, went to college, which I had no value for
And was blinded by it’s worth.
The cost is outrageous and I was determined to go
Through it debt free.
Looking for an escape, I told God, if this was Him
He better provide for me.
Providing, not meaning free,
But a job that I could have.
If work is what I had to do, then work it would be.
Putting in 40 hours a week, taking 16 hours of school.
Much more than most.
Paying out of pocket for tuition and books,
Barely covering the cost.
Test after test, homework, paper after another.
Saying no to free time and never experiencing summer.
A little less than a year and school is said and done.
Pushing hard to graduate.
So I could do what I love and dreamt of when that time would come.
Trials and struggles, my old car broke down and no longer ran.
Was I going to go without or throw away my debt free plan?
Pondering and thinking and thinking some more.
Finally settling on no car for only but a season,
For I wanted no bondage. I wanted to be free
And not held back in the future for any reason.
Three months later, every penny into the savings account.
Waiting until I had 6 grand and a car came about.
God’s timing is perfect and patience is key.
Many times we don’t trust God to answer our cry of desperation,
Our plea.
Today, I have no loans in my name
And paid for car.
Thankful for the sacrifice that I have made this far.
Giving when I have a need of my own.
Signing up to support others when my finances are unknown.
Nine more months until this world I will travel.
I can’t want to see how His miracles unravel.
Packing my bags and saying goodbye to all.
Communication with my friends, my family.
Hardly at all.
Tears of great sorrow, yet joyful laughs will be given,
Yet I know this is my purpose, my reason for living.
Many more sacrifices will certainly be made.
From my car, my furniture, my clothes will all fade.
What ever it takes to follow Jesus Christ,
I’m willing. I’m ready. To give up my everything,
To which includes my life.
Sacrifice and giving is who I am.
It’s more blessed to give than receive.
It was proven by the Lamb.
I beg you to hear that all my chips are in on this game.
I wouldn’t dare to ask YOU for support,
If I weren’t doing the same.
Don’t sacrifice for me,
but sacrifice for the purpose of God.
What is it that you can say no to….
even when it’s tempting?
GREAT LOVES. LOTS OF HUGS.
