11rl0902imr - I want to be...RADICAL!

"But the Lord said to Ananias, 'GO! This man is my chosen instrument to CARRY MY NAME before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he will suffer for My name." - Acts 15-16

1-1-11. It's a new year, with new opportunities, and a new beginning. Hoping that God will show me this year what paths I should take next. Is it really going to be missions? Do I need to do what everyone says and go to college? Little did I know, I was about to have a more clear understanding.

It's getting close, and me, along with most of my friends, are getting super excited for the Passion 2011 conference here in Atlanta, Georgia. Expecting awesome worship, great speakers like Louie Giglio, Francis Chan, John Piper, and more! Can't get any better then that. I had to remind myself time and time again... I'm not here for the big name speakers, I'm here for YOU GOD. A couple nights went by, and I hadn't felt that "God moment" yet. My expectations were so high, all I could to was anticipate that "it thing", that "revelation" to happen and blow me away. Yea, I heard great sermons each day, but nothing that really hit hard.

One night as we were worshiping, I just asked the Lord to take away any expectations that I might have. I prayed that God would completely clear my mind and heart so I could hear Him clearly, and focus on what He wanted to show me. The speaker that night was Francis Chan. At that time i remember thinking, "Oh yea... this is the one I can't wait to hear!" At that moment, I didn't know that night was the night God was saving to speak to me!

Francis talked about the persecuted Christians in China, and how they risk their lives EVERYDAY for the Gospel. They spend hours and hours studying the Word in their underground churches, hoping no one will come stop them. He shared story after story about experiences he's had while sharing the Gospel in places that are not very acceptant to the Truth.

For me, I have heard stories like this my whole life about the persecuted church, the Ten-Forty Window, etc., but for some reason, the way Francis presented it, it finally struck a different cord. God spoke through Francis that night in a way that I will not forget.

"...stand firm in the one spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the Gospel, without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." Philippians 1:27

As Francis started to close, he began to ask many questions that really hit home for me.

Are we willing to risk everything for the Gospel?

Are we willing to be bold for the sake of Christ?

People in Scriptures were willing to STEP UP, and STAND UP for the sake of Christ. God needs His army of disciples to be willing and ready for battle! Am I willing to do the same? Am I willing to be a RADICAL Christian? One that might look very different compared to the rest?

Remember how I mentioned in the beginning that I wanted clarity on what I was suppose to do this year, and I wanted God to show me what path He wants me to take next? This was it. We began to worship some more, and I sat down and started asking the question, "AM I WILLING AND ABLE TO BE RADICAL? In that moment I felt God saying to me, "Brittany, I'm going to use you in MIGHTY ways to further my Kingdom. Don't worry, or be afraid, for I am with you ALWAYS. You are my Chosen one. I'm not going to tell you where you might be going, or if it will be completely safe, but all you have to do is TRUST ME."

This was the night, I had an awesome encounter with the Lord!