Beyond...

I was invited to be interviewed during a worship service at church last night regarding how the last three years have impacted my life.  Not sure why, but I feel compelled to share my thoughts here on the questions that Brett asked me.

How did I get involved with Southpoint?

Well, I started selling Mary Kay to help my daughter and glamson financially.   Little did I know that Mary Kay’s philosophy is God first, family second, career third.  Naturally, God was part of every meeting and event I attended.  At one of the retreats I attended, I connected with a Director who invited me to attend a bible study she was going to be leading on Gideon.  Mind you, even though I was raised catholic, I was not attending church and had actually walked away from God back in 2006.  Plus, I’d never cracked open a bible, so I was a little nervous at first.  Shortly after that study ended, I attended another retreat where I heard a pastor speak….which led me to do some church shopping at the beginning of 2014…and I was hooked on the first church I tried - Southpoint.

A few months after attending Southpoint, I decided I needed to surrender my life to Christ and got baptized.  Then, a couple weeks later, became a member.  Oh and I can’t forget about joining a group – it was only natural for me to join a group given that is how I was re-introduced to God.

How has Southpoint changed my life?

My life has take a complete 180!  And it started with turning control over to God…. My way of life had always centered around me…it was all about doing what I wanted when I wanted to make myself feel better.  Instead of feeling better, all I was doing was diving deeper and deeper into sin and shame and further and further away from God.  I finally began to find peace when I shifted my focus from myself to God.  

Today, I’m involved in groups, ministry and events here at Southpoint, I volunteer outside of church on a regular basis and I’m at church every weekend…most weekends multiple services.  I read my bible and am convicted to live intentionally.

Proverbs 3:17 NIV Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

That’s the verse I chose when asked to pick a verse that I wanted to strive for while participating in a c-group here at Southpoint.  Peace.  It’s something I had been looking for my entire life.  And now I finally have it.  Several months ago, I realized that the “HER” was wisdom…and with wisdom comes peace.  Wisdom is more precious than rubies…it’s what binds us with Christ.  Christ Jesus is peace…he’s the way, the truth and the life.

How did you get involved in Beyond? (Beyond is an initiative at Southpoint to go Beyond ourselves, our walls and our community by giving of our time, talents and treasures.)

I have to be honest…in the past, when giving would come up, I would cringe or roll my eyes and think…oh brother, not this again.  But something changed for me even before the Beyond initiative…it actually happened during some group discussions when we were doing an Andy Stanley study on the Enemy Within.  That discussion really made me stop and think about where my money was going and how little I was actually giving back to God.  I mean, think about how much God has given us.  How much he has given me.  I upped my giving, but only by a smidgen, after that. 

Then Beyond Initiative was introduced…  Initially, I was afraid to think about increasing my giving, so I rationalized that serving God and others was enough.  I mean I was leading groups, serving in a few ministries, filling in where needed at weekend services and volunteering in the community once a month…and thought…that’s good enough.

Well, last summer during the leader retreat I was really challenged to see where my money was going and if I was doing all that I could.  And when I thought about it, the answer was no, I wasn’t.  But at that time I didn’t do anything about it.  Because…well, giving more was scary.

Then a couple months later I was challenged again when I met with Mark and Cindy at my condo.  They asked me to consider what I could do, in addition to what I was already doing, and to pledge to begin doing it in October.  Oh boy…super scary.  After giving it much thought and prayer, this time, I took the plunge and doubled my giving.  And because I’m either all in or all out…I began giving more as soon as I decided that I was going to do it.  Not only that, but I decided to start putting the same amount towards my retirement as well.

And so far, it’s been okay.  In fact, better than okay.  Even though my budget is completely red, somehow it always turns green right when I need it.  I didn’t realize it, but after I committed to giving more is when things really started going right.  Because I intentionally stepped out in faith for God…our Lord was more than happy to help me out as well.  Within three months I had my credit card paid off for the first time in literally 20 years!  On top of that, I was able to take a much needed vacation to the Dominican Republic without charging it.  And little did I know but God was actually preparing my finances for my daughter’s surprise of I’m pulling my wedding up by 1.5 years!  By the grace of God, within a matter of three months, I was able to help give her a wedding of her dreams…and I plan on having that paid off by this coming March.  

Today, my budget is still red…but somehow it always manages to turn itself green right when I need it.  I know that God is with me and blessing me in so many ways…and I'm sure so many ways I’m not even aware of.  I’ve actually been considering upping my giving again.  But after hearing Shelene Bryan talk at the Extraordinary Women conference last weekend, I felt lead to sponsor a child.  It really doesn’t fit my budget, but I’m now sponsoring Bania who was born on the day I became a member of Southpoint – March 23, 2014.  And I know without a doubt that God will provide a way for me to continue to do this.

Beyond isn’t only about money…it’s also about our time and talents.  After last year’s GoServe week (Southpoint goes out into the Downriver community), I decided to make a commitment to give more of my time and partnered with the DRMM.  Now, on third Saturday of each month I lead a group of people who goes downtown to serve lunch to the homeless.  We’re scheduled out through this calendar year and signups are posted to the GoServe site. 

I think the Beyond initiative has helped me strive to grow to become a true follower of God.  Its helped push me to give of myself – my money, my time, my talent.  Its helped me realize that my life is not about me…but rather about what I can do for others in the name of Jesus.  Most importantly, it helps me continually look beyond myself. 

Because of Southpoint and Beyond, I have come to know such a great peace.  Such great peace in such a short amount of time.  My life verse is my life.  (Proverbs 3:17 Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.)  Of course, my life is not all butterflies and rainbows, but that’s okay.  I know God has my back. 

I pray that everyone can feel and experience the relief and joy of relinquishing control to God.  Getting connected, serving, giving back…  Because it’s not about us.  It’s about God.  Once we intentionally and consistently give control to God is when we find and are filled with His spirit.

I suppose the long and the short of it is that I’ve become intentional.  I love that word.  Intentional.  I have joy in my life now and I can’t see myself ever going back to the way I used to live.  God is truly great.