In my previous post I talked about how I have received a new kind of freedom. I talked about how there is only victory in obedience. As well I mentioned acting upon my words of “lord have it all “. This mentality is necessary for me to to successfully fund raise, and by fund raise I mean grow in trust with God.
Trust in God, has never meant so much to me. I have made more progress in all area’s of my life since I have started fundraising. The only reason why that I can think of, is because God has it all. and there is only Victory in God. Where he is there is freedom.
For example Over the course of the Christmas holidays I found myself aimlessly wandering around the mall, and it felt Great. Why? Because for once in my life Jesus was lord, and king over my finances, and no longer was I in the trap of consumerism. Here I was in the heart of consumerism, in a mall on boxing day. Surrounded by “Amazing sales”, and still yet all I could think of is how stupid it is. Why would I care about buying stuff I am never going to use. God is taking me around the world, the only sale’s that are of any use is the ones that can further Gods missions work. I found myself joyfully walking down the way of the mall with a different smile from others. With no intention of tackling anyone for a sale, because as I walked by every “Amazing sale” I found myself unimpressed, uncaring for it. Whereas the old me would have been spending his gift cards like crazy in a mad panic to get what I wanted and needed. But for once I needed nothing, because I had God, or rather he has me.
Even my relationships with others have grown since! Telling everyone all of the great news. Saying I went all in, and God is working in me! That is great cause for celebration! and even though I leave in a few months I found that the relationships i previously struggled with the most, are flourishing! As in I was able to share Jesus with people I had been trying to for years. Within 2 weeks of being accepted onto the world race I made more progress in evangelizing, and sharing Jesus than I have in my entire Christian walk. Must be because I went all in! People care to know why I am leaving such a great life, and I have no intention of lying about it. Thus when they ask, I simply have an opportunity to share Jesus.
Even debt wise I am free! I have had a car loan since I was 19, and In October I bought a vehicle that was worth $14 000. Now that I am all In with Jesus I have to sell it, and everything else I own.Which in the end the car is no big deal, heck I already have 2 interested buyers!
Plus since my down payment was more than the extended warranty, (which is transferable) I can BLESS someone with a great vehicle and give them the warranty for free. Thus not passing along my debt to another, but making a small sacrifice to BLESS someone. It is a pretty amazing vehicle, so I will be sad to say goodbye to it. However when I do say goodbye, I will be debt free. Again funny how it works when you give God you finances as well as your relationships, whether it be with family friends, or co workers.
Which is another exciting portion of life. Not only do I get to share my great news with my friends and co workers. But I can offer them to see how active Jesus is, and can be if they choose to invite him into their lives.
Furthermore at work I get to allow another to take my place. Which can be a huge financial blessing to someone out there who needs it more than I do. Maybe it will be an answer to someones prayer! Who knows. God works in mysterious ways.
But probably my favorite part is the mundane routine that is being broken. The same routine has infected my life for years, with occasional changes here and there. like cutting out taco Tuesday for pizza day Wednesday. It got to the point where I would complain about my work space being too cold everyday after lunch, and not realize i’d made the same comment the day before until pointed out. This went on for 3 months before I finally changed the temperature.
This lifestyle is strange to me because it made me consider the question, who am I? Then I thought, who am I not? Well I am not Mr. Secure, comfortable, safe, and routine. No I realized, who I am. I am mr. adventure, survivor, backpacker, risk taker, faith walker, variety, self challenger, driven, teacher, leader, generous, radical Jesus lover. Passionate, christian, nautical lover, sailor, fisherman, selfless, unconditional lover. WOAH, I know that’s a mouthful. But my present lifestyle wasn’t reflecting that. Good thing God broke that mundane, safe, secure, comfortable routine.
Even more so, it is humbling me. Because I know I cannot do this on my own. after all right now with the horrible exchange rate I need to raise $24, 400 ish (give or take) in Canadian dollars, for it to equal $17 561 US. Plus sell my car. Yup that’s an impossible mission. but as the song “the impossible” By Joe Nichols says “Unsinkable ships sink, unbreakable walls, break, sometimes the things you think could never happen, happen just like that.”. It is also humbling me in the sense of asking people to partner with me. to give up my pride of “I’ll do it myself” attitude, and ask for help, financial partnership, and prayer.
If faith can move mountains, then it can can certainly do this. That has been the song of my heart this last week. If Faith can move mountains, then it can move me, through 11 nations, in 11 months. If faith can move mountains, then it can move me. If faith can move mountains, then it can overtake, and change me.
Another point to make is that it has freed me from loneliness, I struggled with this previously. But because I must now rely on Jesus, that means relying on his people and community as well. This whole fundraising experience is causing me to be in community more, to be more of who God has called me to be. It has enabled me to be me, to use my natural abilities, and talents to fund raise. Which will be coming in the following weeks, for all those who are wondering!
Lastly by me going all in, and applying for Gods will in my life, and being accepted as his son, through Jesus, Not only has it moved relationships that were unmovable, changed my unchangeable heart, identified, my previously unidentified self, and freed me financially, But it has caused a complete reliance on Jesus. The best part is, it isn’t as scary as I thought. In fact the whole point I am getting across is that it is the most freeing experience I have had in my entire life. It has made my burden light, and enabled me to better pick up my cross daily.
Because Jesus is as real in your life as you let him be. So why not go all in!? Don’t let the enemy tell you its a scary uncertain place, otherwise you will just be like the horse below, making the insignificant, significant. Know that it is actually a joyful, adventurous, fulfilling place. Where you can find your full identity. Take the risk, find freedom.
Don’t make the insignificant, significant.
