Since growing in relationship with God, I have come to learn that we rarely notice the kindness of the Lord while in the midst of it. The circumstances that brought me to Austin involved a global pandemic, the loss of a job I loved, and the realization that I was not built for living at home post college. I thought the world had thrown a wrench in the plans the Lord had for my life and Austin would be a fun place to ride it out until the Lord put the pieces back together.
But like most things we assume about God’s plan, I was utterly wrong.
Nothing about my time in Austin was accidental or by chance or by my doing whatsoever.
The Lord knew I needed what I would find in Austin, TX.
Summing it all up, ultimately what I found was the importance and impact the Body of Christ can have on your life when you choose to be active within it. Church had never been a part of my life previous to this year, always being bogged down by a busy life, excuses about the importance of my weekends, and cynicism brought about from sins of churches past. My favorite justification for my church-less life was “I can grow my relationship with the Lord just in my quiet time.” A lie my generation loves to cling to.
While growing your individual relationship with the Lord is important, wanting to be close to the Lord but not wanting to be involved in His church is like telling your friend you like their face but don’t enjoy the rest of their body. Rude, right? And in all honestly, the only reason I even stepped into Celebration Church when I did was because my roommate (and bestie, shoutout to Sammie) was on staff. Funny how the Lord knows exactly how to open your heart…
Through my rather reluctant first steps into the church-life, I found just how living within God’s will for His children can open your eyes and bring you into a peaceful existence- even in the midst of a world that seems a bit off-it’s-rocker. The gift of Godly community with people in differing life stages will give you perspective and speak into the faithfulness of the Lord as seen by others much wiser than yourself. Serving the community through pregnancy centers, orphanages, and city outreach will humble you to no end as it reveals the reality that Jesus, in his goodness, is close to the brokenhearted. Growing to trust those that God has placed as authority within the Church, understanding that the Christian life is not void of conflict, but serves to resolve it with your growth of character in mind.
Most of all, being obedient to God and leaning into Him and out of cynicism has softened my heart as I fell in love with the church, the people of Austin, and the call to bring the gospel of Jesus everywhere I go.
As I step away from Austin for 11 months, the lessons continue to linger and press into my heart: community, obedience, servanthood, and mission. And as that beautiful vintage church in the heart of Austin lives on, I am certain so will the presence of God within it. It stands tall as an Ebenezer in my life, a remembrance that the Lord has surely helped us this far and will continue to do so as we walk in obedience to Him.
Thank you ATX for the memories, for the love, for the people who made me a better follower of Christ, and for being a surprise season that turned into a forever home. See you in 11 months!
“I can grow my relationship with the Lord just in my quiet time.” A lie my generation loves to cling to.
AIN’T THAT THE TRUTH!! So much goodness here. I love your willing obedience to not forsake the gathering of the Bride, and I can’t wait to see how the Lord continues to show you the importance of community as you embark on the Race.