I have found a common location to be in for when I write my blogs, and this place just so happens to be the Crosswalk office. I guess it has become a place of refuge for when I need to think, write sermons, or write lovely New Testament Theology papers at 3 in the morning.
As promised, here is my update about the month of October so far.
Let's just say that God went above and beyond everything I ever thought He would do with regards to this lovely all girls' chapel that I put on. The response was unreal!! And the presence of the Lord was definitely felt all throughout the chapel.
The chapel was called Beauty in the Eyes of God. Now some of you may be going, what in the world does that mean and why does it sound so cliche? Well, it probably is cliche but what I talked about was anything but. In this chapel, the Lord really laid on my heart to bring into light the circumstances and struggles that are so often kept in darkness. He challenged me to bring up the hard topics such as eating disorders, depression, suicide, cutting, lust, homosexuality, drinking, drugs...pretty much all things never EVER discussed within the Christian setting. And it got me to thinking, of all the people on this campus, God chose me.
Me.
Why?
I am just one person, but I am one person with a story and a heart for women. I hate watching my generation being torn apart because of the lies we allow satan to pour into our lives. (Yes I know that satan is a proper name for you grammatical people, but I've never thought he deserved the caps.) In this chapel, I got the very opportunity to tell my story and to share my struggles with the female student body. And let me tell you, it was definitely Jesus' words coming out of my mouth...minus the comment about feeling like Britney Spears with the headset I was wearing. It was definitely one of those larger than life headsets in which you would see in the Oops I Did It Again! videos. However, no worries, I did not dance.
Me and my rambling.
Basically, this chapel rocked my world for not only did God challenge me to bring into light my own struggles, but He challenged me to bring up the ones I have never talked about in public much less than to anyone other than Alina. (Alina is my best friend and one of the coolest people ever in case that needed clarification.) :) So, being God, He stretched me in ways that I was so not ready for. However, He had me tell Laurisha and Amy first.
You better believed this freaked me out.
But you would not believe the FREEDOM! I felt after I finally just gave it up to the Lord, womaned it up, and talked about it. Not to mention the affirmation I got from the two of them. I love wonderful and supporting Godly friends.
You know, it is amazing what satan loses control over and God lifts the burdens of once you allow the Lord to do His job. I told my biggest and darkest secret. (I'm sure I've sparked some of your interests, so just let me know, and I will let you listen to the recording of my chapel.) And you know what, no one ran away screaming. No one looked at me like I was the world's biggest failure.
They looked at me like I was real. And that someone had actually been bold enough to share and now they inturn could share themselves. I had so many girls approach me afterwards saying that that was exactly what they needed to hear. Chains began to be shattered and lives began to be healed. Girls confessed things they had never told before because I actually let God use me.
Huh. Weird concept. Listening to the Lord when He tells you to do something. It's like He has a purpose or something.
That chapel had absolutely nothing to do with me. But God used one woman with one story to plant a seed in the lives of a little over one-hundred women. One of the greatest opportunites of my life so far?? You best believe it!
It is time to loosen the enemies control on what we have faced.
Our past does not define us. It is who we are in Christ.
Well, that is all I have for now. This weekend is Homecoming and my dear Laurisha and Amy are gracing the football field as homecoming queen nominees. I could not be more proud/excited!! SINK THE VIKINGS. (There is Emily's school pride. Woot Woot.)
Until my next rambling, never forget to keep your eyes focused on the author and perfector of our faith.
Love you guys,
Em
