Before we get started, just wanted to remind you of where I am :)
“You have permission to be a leader and change the world.”
That’s how orientation started.
We were immediately and before any training ensued given permission to step up and in to what God has purposed for us. Such a powerful statement! To think that I, measly little Veronica Lynne, could be used in a mighty way for the glory of The Kingdom...unfathomable. Changing the world is for prestigious people like Billy Graham, Beth Moore, Brian and Bobbie Houston. Not girls from Great Bridge (go Wildcats). But then that’s what my insecurities, which do not come from The Lord, would tell me.
Insecurities are nothing but obstacles to having a Kingdom culture mindset.
If I let them dwell in my mind, I am allowing them in my ministry. And I just don’t want any of that. There are people going to Hell and we, as a church body and as individuals, need to stop that. It’s our responsibility and our call. We’ve been given the authority:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you...”
Matthew 28:18-20
During our first day of intensives (which make up the first week of college) the traditional “When in Rome...” talk was given. Catrina, the president of City campus, got up and gave us three points about how to really “do Rome.” Of course she was talking about how students should look at and get the most out of this time in Sydney at Hillsong. The points are as follows:
1) learn the language.
At Hillsong, the language is a Kingdom language. It is made up of excellence, honor, value, encouragement, and heaps of other good things.
“...whatever is true, whatever is noble, right, pure, whatever is lovely and admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8
Try and be a part of the culture. Speak the language; it has a powerful effect on one’s mindset.
2) cultivate a sense of wonder.
Take advantage of the opportunities allotted. So you’ve seen the Sistine Chapel already; don’t you understand the beauty you can’t even see?! Michaelangelo spent a great deal of time on the details that can’t be seen from the floor. God sees it.
Those people at church who set up chairs or run words don’t do it because they love crisp rows or Power Presenter, they do it because God sees it. The goal has not been lost on them. Satan is waiting to distract us from the Gospel and all things relating to it. Specifically for me, when there’s a grammar mistake in or on anything, I immediately lose focus. That’s how Satan works. He works in the details as much as God does, but for completely opposite reasons.
Satan wants you to fail.
He wants me to fail.
He wants us all in Hell. But praise be to God salvation is an unshakeable promise. A promise from God, any promise, is unshakeable. Too easily I let that slip from my mind and it becomes mundane. Ain’t nothing mundane about the cross, homeboy.
3) don’t eat at Maccas (McDonald’s).
Those who travel know to switch their watches to the time of wherever they are. For example, when I got to Australia, I fixed my watch on Australia time. Fourteen hours ahead to be exact. If I leave my watch on home time, I’ll never really be here.
Being where we are, whether physically or in a metaphorical season in our lives, is often very difficult. We are looking so far forward and to the next step that sometimes we miss the things we’re meant to see while we’re here...wherever “here” is.
I am so looking forward to coming home in December; my excitement sometimes renders me breathless. But if I keep thinking about how great that time will be (and believe you me, it will be great!) I’m going to miss some of the things God wants me to learn and appreciate now.
And so what if the peanut butter isn’t the same here as it is at home.
THAT’S THE POINT!
I’m in Australia because it’s not the same as home. The Lord brought me here to be trained in a way that could only happen here!
The ante has just been upped :) I will not return the same.
If I did, I would be doing everyone such an injustice. To be in the midst of such a spirited environment and not be radically changed is impossible. The youth program here blows ANYTHING I’ve seen out of the water! And I’ve seen/been apart of a lot of great things. It’s not even so much the program here, it’s the leaders. They are all so syked to be with students. Everything and everyone is, as the Aussie’s would say, “full on”.
I am fully aware of the growth and stretching that is going to happen in me. To be aware of it is exhilarating, and yet slightly terrifying. Just like stretching is painful at first, but the more you do it, the more natural it becomes and the further you can reach!
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The Lord reminded me again today how gently He takes care of me:
There are things in my past I just don't dwell on or speak of. Specifically one moment in time. For clarity purposes, we'll call it "boxing".
At Hillsong, before working with youth all volunteers go through an interview and in the interview there are a series of questions asked. My interview was Wendy. I expected the "how long have you worked with youth?", "have you ever been convicted of child molestation?", and questions along those lines. All simply answered with a shake of the head. But one question caught me off guard.
It's difficult to describe without divulging all the details, but I had to answer differently than I had planned. I haven't told many people about my boxing days and I had to tell her all about it. It's not that I'm afraid of telling people, it's more that I used to offer it up freely and then most people mistreated it. So God gave me a peace about reserving my boxing story until He wanted to use it. {I apologize for the vagueness, but my goal here isn't to reveal that part of my story. My goal here is for you to understand the grace The Lord offered me through Wendy.} I've never experienced it with my boxing story.
Never.
Not once.
I know I smiled the whole time I told Wendy about boxing, but it's not a joyful memory. Wait...it's not a joyful memory meaning it wasn't a happy time of life, but it was joyful in the sense that it was my first real encounter with God.
But when I was done and saw Wendy's eyes were a little pink from feeling for me...man. I can't even put it into words. I am still overcome with emotion when I think of her response. She just genuinely cared for me. Genuinely and sincerely. Without a word, I knew that's what it was. Typically I get a shocked response and people are more often interested in the boxing than in me. I understand. It's surprising. But it's also true.
I'm not sure how to end this, but I'll try it with this: Boxing was something I had put away and decidedly kept it out of view. Because of the grace God showed me today through Wendy, it doesn't feel so odd anymore. After so many negative reactions to boxing I guess I learned that it wasn't something people knew what to do with and something of which I should be ashamed.
Does that make sense?
In a very loose metaphor, it's almost like I was Eve running around with fig leaves on. The fig leaves representing my shame. And the Lord told me it was OK to take them off and be free in The Garden again.
To be free.
Freedom.
That's what I feel.
And it's indescribable.
What a God I get to serve!
Lord Jesus, I didn't even know I needed to be freed from anything anymore, but You saw my bondage. You knew it. You knew I needed freedom when I wasn't even aware of my shackles. How aware You are of me! I am struck by your love and care. Thank you for freeing me! Now use me, God. Use me for Your Kingdom. Allow me to bring Your freedom to others.
You are so good. and always thinking of me.
I love You.
I love You.
I love You.
Free in Your Name,
Amen.
