"By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an
unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he
was going."
Hebrews 11:8 (MSG)
I was
living in one of the best neighborhoods in Atlanta. Anything I could possibly
need or want at my fingertips: Piedmont Park, local coffee shops, restaurants,
concerts, the city skyline, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, my church,
friends, family and more.
I
remember sitting on my couch in the middle of my Atlanta loft, when God hit me
with this verse in the message version. It was a Tuesday, exactly 10 weeks
after coming home from a trip to Washington State, a trip that
altered the entire course of my life. I was waiting on the moving truck to pull
up. Waiting to pack everything I own and send it to an unknown place that would
become my home: Pullman, WA. Up until this point, I was ready. Ready to step
into my calling, ready to follow Jesus wherever He would lead me, ready to
trust Him with this adventure to an unknown place. But that Tuesday
morning, emotion rose and my heart became so heavy I could barely take a
breath. What was I doing?
I
remember falling to my knees, trying to not collapse under the suffocation
of fear the enemy was pounding at my door. "Father, this is so hard. I
cannot do this unless you literally do this through me. I only go because you
want me to go and I love you enough to follow. This is not my life, I owe it
all to you." I repeated this over and over. During those 10
weeks, whether I believed it or not, I would wake up with this ringing on my lips. It was the only way I knew
how to walk in obedience. Clinging to Him every moment, never taking my eyes off
of Him. It was the only way I knew how to get out of bed and go through the
day, to have Him do it through me. In the days leading up to leaving, they were
full of goodbyes, everyone encouraging me, and going on about how proud they
were of me. I would look back at them, knowing full well that who I am in my
flesh is absolutely nothing to be proud of, yet also knowing full well that the
only way there is any good in me at all is because of the redeeming and
gracious work of Jesus in my life and heart. I can take no credit.
I love
Him and I obey Him. That's it. Every day.
I love,
and I obey.
This move
was no different. We packed the truck and it began the 3,000mile trek to
Pullman. I sat on the floor, in the middle of my empty loft, my heart aching.
No clue what was ahead.
By an act
of faith, I said yes.
It has
now been 2 months since that moment in my loft. The emotions are still raw and
real. I close my eyes and can see every inch of that Atlanta home. I can
remember every memory whose shadow still dance through my mind.
He held
me so close those 11 weeks leading up to my one-way ticket. The enemy couldn't
touch me; God held me and I knew He was protecting me, preserving me,
from the arrows of darkness. I was about to walk into enemy territory. The
Pacific Northwest is an incredible place. Its beauty is majestic and the skies
sing of His glory, but the people don't know Him. Jesus knew the battle
waiting for me. I am honestly glad I did not know.
I remember stepping off
the plane, full of excitement and anticipation for everything God had
in store for me in Pullman. On July 30, I stepped onto battleground. A battle
unlike anything I have ever fought, yet a battle worth
fighting for the gospel. This blog is to bring you along on the journey
and adventure He has given me. I am humbled and incredibly thankful to have
been called to be a part of what God is doing in the NW. As I tell my redeemed
story, I hope you fall in love as I have with the upper left coast, the incredible
people here and an almighty God whose faithfulness, power and love is without
borders.
