It helps me to let go of what is wrong – which is sometimes just as essential as holding onto what is right.  It’s so easy to cling to the wrong situation or person simply because it feels safer than letting go.

In addition, I understand the power of the experience that you relate here, since as a child I had a near-drowning incident in the ocean and turned whole-heartedly to God in the midst of it.

Thank you, Nina.

thank you Nina

Last month I found myself in a crazy situation that definitely relates to this Radical Act.

I was at the beach, trying to rescue my dog from some foolish canine escapade.   As I stood at the edge of the water debating various alternatives, I heard the divine command:  “GO!”   So I did, bolting waist deep into a dark, icy creek.  The current almost swept me off my feet, but I made it across.

I grabbed the dog and headed back.  But then, re-crossing the creek, I made a human calculation.  I figured that if I crossed where the water was twice as wide, maybe 30 or 40 feet, it would be shallower and safer.  At that point, though, I omitted the divine consultation.

Suddenly I found myself in ice water way over my head, being whisked away from land by the strong current.  At the same time a frantic eighty-pound dog was trying to rescue me (really he was) by climbing on top of my head and forcing me underwater.  All I could think about was, “how long can you stay conscious when you’re this cold?”

But here’s the funny thing.  The whole time this drama was unfolding, I could feel the activity of another layer of consciousness.  I was hearing:  “How are you going to live?  Fear?  Or no fear?  Choose.”

Obviously this story had a happy ending!  I realized that I needed to angle across the current instead of fighting it.  I also grabbed the dog’s tail so he could help pull me in.  So now, instead of being a popsicle for some random shark, I’m (thank God) sitting here dry and warm.

Since this dramatic event, I’ve definitely been living differently.  For example, I recently had a hard decision to make.  I’d already volunteered umpteen hours to a project with the expectation that it would turn into paid work at a certain time.  Suddenly, just when I reeeeally needed cash flow, the paid work was postponed.  I could keep volunteering, which didn’t seem fair.  Or I could say no and risk losing future work from this source, and also risk damaging a very important professional friendship.

So:  “Fear?  Or no fear?  Choose.”

After much prayer about my worth and my purpose, I bravely said no to more volunteering.  To my surprise, the professional friendship immediately grew stronger.  Then, the very next day, I got a new contract for work that’s a billion times more on track with my purpose.

So . . . wow!  Of course I’m grateful not to be a shark popsicle.  But I’m even more grateful for what I learned in the cold current.  First:  No fear.  Step out there.  God really will hold you up.   Second:  No smarty-pants human reasoning.  Consult God early and often.  And third:  No regrets.  It’s never too late for divine direction — even when you’re in over your head!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rztYMMhMT2Y&feature=youtu.be

(This story is from Parfait Mabela, a Sunday School teacher near Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo)

I was in charge of organizing and leading a youth summit that happened in my country last year.
I was expecting 300 participants.  The summit committee and I were surprised when we registered 600 participants!  This was very good news for this activity but there was one problem: the budget and supplies.  We were financially down and unable to find housing for the new registrants.  I got upset and felt I was losing control of the situation.

All the people were looking at me, the president of the activity, asking “what’s to be done?”  My answer was that, even though everybody was expecting me to solve this problem, truthfully it wasn’t up to me personally to solve this challenge.  I simply said this prayer: ”Not my will but yours.”

Well, it worked out that TMCYouth could help solve this problem.  They were able to support us with an amount that we needed for the supplies for the extra 300 participants.  And, we found ways to house all those additional participants from outlying provinces, who didn’t have a place to stay because we were not expecting them. It was truly God’s answer – I couldn’t have solved this myself, but my commitment to “Not my will, but yours,” helped us to see the harmonious resolution!

This was just one highlight from that wonderful activity led by God Himself. We’ve been told that that spiritual activist summit had one of the highest attendances of a summit to that date!  And those participants shone with such joy after returning back home.

Isn’t it incredible how God leads every step of our lives?