Living Beyond Fear

     About 4 years ago, I went on mission trip to Kenya, Africa, not knowing that place was going to change my life. One of my favorite memories was walking through the towns and villages, admiring the children. When they saw a ‘mzungu’(white person) they giggled and shouted. Some would run toward me with excitement, and others would hide from the sight of a foreigner. Those who weren’t afraid would grab my hands so eagerly, as though we had been friends forever. The people and children made it so easy to fall in love with them and their country.

     In just 6 short months, I have been given the opportunity to return to Kenya. So often when I mention visiting such a foreign country, I get a response like, "That's great, but aren't you afraid? or Do you know how dangerous it is?" Most days I do not have the right words to respond to such a common question.


     But let me ask you this.... How much more dangerous is the comfort of our soul?! (Matthew 10:28) "I am much more terrified of living a comfortable life in a self-serving society and failing to follow Jesus, than I am of any illness or tragedy." When we are focused on serving the Lord, we are not focused the task or our fears, because we are focused on Him.

     My heart had found its joy, as I served the beautiful people the world calls “poor” but who seemed so rich in love to me. I lost a part of my heart to a place I had never been before. My prayer is to solely remain in the center of the Lord's will - no matter the where He leads, long or short term, I know He is greater. This is my passion and I have chosen to dedicate my life to it!

New Year, New Places --- Passion Part 2

Passion Conference: Jan 2-4, 2016
40,000 students. 3 arenas. 2 cities. 1 heartbeat.
The name of Jesus and His renown are the desire of our souls!    

     My heart is so full! I am blessed to have spent 3 days learning from worldwide, influential leaders who care so much about pouring truth into the next generation. "Truth is the most powerful weapon in the world." (Ravi Zacharias) The Passion band, Rend Collective, and Hillsong United did an outstanding job leading us in worship. There was a moment when I opened my eyes to a "sea" of hands held high to Jesus. In that moment, tears ran down my face as I saw a glimpse of what Heaven is like. Strangers become instant friends when your bond is the love of Christ, and for that I am thankful for community groups and people who love Jesus. "You can't talk someone out of something they love, whether it's BBQ or Jesus." (Louie Giglio)

     If I had to choose one word to describe the impact Passion has had on my life, the word would be-incalculable! Going into the conference I wasn't looking for specific answers and didn't have certain expectations. I asked God to show me what He wanted me to see, hear what He wanted me to hear, and do what He wanted me to do. "Our calling is not to stay alive, but to stay in love with Jesus." (John Piper) I have been popped, stretched, and I am ready to dominate! When God is calling me, I want to be ready and equipped to fulfill His plan and purpose for my life. I want to be more purposeful with my Bible reading, by truly meditating and memorizing Scripture day and night. Then I will be ready for trials, suffering, obstacles, circumstances, opportunities, revivals and more! "It is through suffering, not in spite of it, that God uses us. Suffering is not an obstacle, rather an opportunity to be used by God like never before. If you take away suffering, you take away the ministry." (Levi Lusko)

     "This generation does not just need to pray for God to send a revival, but we need to BE the revival. We ARE the revival. We have no excuses or limitations, because impossible is where God STARTS, and miracles are what He does. The highest calling we have in this life is to be servants of the Lord." (Christine Caine) When we truly serve Jesus, we are not worried about the task because we are focused on Him. "What Jesus has done FOR us, is bigger than what anyone has done TO us." (CC) We need to train our eyes to see everything from a perspective of eternity. Not acceptance, achievements, popularity, possessions, number of likes on Instagram, physical pleasure, etc....ETERNITY!

     "Do not love the world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." 1 John 2:15-17 NLT

     Passion has given me the fuel I need to complete my mission, for what matters most. I don't need the approval of anyone else, but for my God to say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Praying that this fire burning in our souls, to touch a lost and broken world, will not lose its flame. I am ready for God to take me to a new place, at a new pace, and give me a new perspective! Lord, empty my cup that You have so abundantly filled!