Welcome Home
Proverbs 8:34 is a verse I try to live by daily: “Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!” One thing I’ve learned from this verse is the importance of the word “listening.” Not just hearing from the Lord and letting it pass us by but listening in a way where we apply what He has said to our lives through watching and waiting for Him. I often catch myself wanting to hear from the Lord but if it isn’t something that fits within my plan, I move on trying to ignore what I heard. This is what happened at the beginning of my new journey. When I returned to the states after doing missions in Guatemala, the Lord had placed on my heart to begin searching for a new church. I initially put-up resistance in fear of doing so alone, not knowing where to search and not wanting to let anyone down. Months went by and as each week passed, I couldn’t find peace in continuing to do things my own way. One night, I broke down and turned to Him in prayer asking for guidance on what my next steps should be because I couldn’t keep living in resistance. As I prayed for clarity and for the Lord to direct my steps, He graciously answered my prayers over and over again. A friend of mine had posted about City Awakening which led me to learn about the church. Within that same week, another friend of mine brought up City Awakening as well. This happened a few more times and I knew that I needed to go. I went the first few times with two friends and loved the simplicity of worship that was truly focused on connecting with Christ as well as the sermon that spoke directly to my heart. As I took notes that day, tears filled my journal as I was writing down answers to prayers and scriptures that defeated the struggles I was going through. As a few weeks passed, I continued to go back. As I arrived, I was welcomed by so many and was invited to sit with a few others so that I wasn’t sitting all alone. I felt seen, understood, and welcomed with open arms which are some things I hadn’t felt in a while as the trials of life and sin of the world seemed to overtake so much of me. As I listened to the sermon, I felt the Lord say “Welcome home” as tears filled my eyes. I went home continually praising Him and thanking Him for directing my steps and leading me to a place where I could learn more about Him and grow in my faith to then pour out onto others around me and through serving the community.
As I continued going each week, I eventually joined an MCG where I met so many others from all different stages of life that I could grow with, learn from, and do life together. I then began to join in on other events as well such as the IF Gatherings where I met other women who I felt so encouraged by and felt comfortable to begin to let some of my walls down as I shared parts of my story and shared what the Lord was doing in my life. It was at both MCG and IF Gatherings where I felt like my voice was heard after years of being convinced that my voice didn’t matter. It was here where I learned that we all have trials and struggles but there is freedom in vulnerability knowing that others are there to listen and encourage. It was here where I learned how to be obedient to what the Lord has to say and placing my trust fully in Him rather than focusing on the fear of the unknown. It was here where I began to take steps to truly live a gospel fluent life. I now have a community through my MCG that I know is there for me and will help to continue to challenge me to grow in my faith. I recently learned about the true meaning of community in a way I had never experienced before. I was moving into an apartment and needed help since I couldn’t do it all on my own. My MCG volunteered to help and on moving day, they all showed up with a willingness and joy to serve and help. I was overwhelmed with thankfulness when they took time out of their Saturday morning to be there and help. I couldn’t have done it without them and thanked the Lord repeatedly for having them in my life. My time at CA hasn’t been very long but the Holy Spirit is ever so present, and I’ve felt closer to the Lord and grown in my faith way more than I could have imagined. I’m excited to continue to grow, learn and serve and see all that the Lord has in store. As I begin walking in obedience with the Lord, may I build windows for these walls I’ve built up, may I continue to seek Him above all, and may I serve and love others with all I have. City Awakening is truly such a blessing.