CHALLENGE: Invade 2011

12.15.10 - 12.31.10

So this is about my billionth attempt at writing this and it is December 31st. I've written at least 2 rough drafts and deleted them, and then I've written down so many ideas and little things.. I can’t even begin to count them, (nor do I want to!) Needless to say, I was pretty desperate. Then I went to Onething in KC. And I know exactly what I need to say. :)

First of all I need to explain what invade means.

This summer, at youth camp, God gave me a word: invade. I had no idea what that meant to my life or what it was supposed to signify. I was really excited about it though. I figured God would tell me what it meant by the end of the week. But camp came and went and I still hadn’t heard from him (on that subject anyway). I remember feeling frustrated and confused. When I got hope I began seeking his face and fasting, seeking after Him on what this mean. After about two weeks and still no answer, I kind of threw up my hands if frustration and quit. Then Fall Retreat came around and I thought: ‘Surely, this is when God will speak to me on what this means.’ Well retreat also came and went; still no answer. I was desperate, confused, and frustrated. I almost gave up. Then I went to Onething this past week in KC. I remember I sat there on Tuesday night, and I began to write in my prayer journal:
“God, You gave me the word invade, but you still haven’t told me what it means. You know my heart and you know that I really want to know what it means. But I also know that you know what’s best, and if knowing what it is right now isn’t what you have for me, I trust you.”
People, I am telling you, no more than an hour later, as I stood at the front of the Kansas City Convention Center, God spoke to me what it meant, and I know now that he want me to share: As he invades our hearts, we will invade our world with a revolution and his love.
So that’s my challenge to you this year: Invade 2011. Invade your world, but not by your power. Allow the power of Christ to move you to speak word that are not your own, to do things that aren’t in your flesh, and to go places you thought were only for ‘radicals’ to go. And as you do, connect the dots from your actions to the Christ who is in you for all the world to see. Dig deep into the word of God and meditate on it. Pray daily; fast weekly. Be open and brutally honest with God. He already knows your heart anyways, so it would be foolish to try to hide it from him. When the hard times come, pray to God for the strength to take it with grace and to keep on going. He will give you the strength to take that next step, the next breath, to go to bed and to wake up the next morning and do it all over again. When temptation arises, remember 1Corinthians 10:14:“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Seek his face my friends, for then, “You will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.” (Job 22:26)
Peace out.
angie