Serving

Wow, I have been getting some amazing insights and revelations from our church lately!!  I was inspired to do another update to my blog immediately.

For starters, 2 weeks ago, a young contributing-heart-filled 9 year old girl from our church was killed in a car accident.  I did not have the pleasure of knowing this girl Rachel Beckwith, and have come to realize I missed out on that.  She was the light of the room I understand, always helping and serving others, as well as going out of her way to make other children at our church feel right at home.  She was a true servant of God.

One of the most amazing things about Rachel was where her heart was at.  She had decided to give up her birthday, and the presents that would come from it, and utilize a tool that www.charitywater.org offers to run a campaign asking all those who would give her a gift, to give the money to this organization that goes directly towards bringing clean water to those in need around the world.  Her goal was $300, and she missed that by $80, totaling $220.  The campaign was closed on her birthday.  However, a few weeks after that, she was in a car accident, that had her on life support for several days, then finally she went to be with the Lord.  Her family had shared with our church how deeply the campaign meant to her, and both Eastlake Community Church and Charity: Water decided to re-open her campaign, and put it out to the world, while she was still on life support.  In less than 2 short weeks the account has risen from $220 to $726,000 and growing!!!  Her sacrifice is helping so many people around the world, and by living "backwards" or with the end in mind, her legacy is changing lives forever.

Click here to check out Rachel's Charity: Water campaign page.  It truly is inspiring!

Now that's a ripple effect, and it caused me to ask myself, how big of a ripple am I leaving??

Much of this has had me doing some soul searching, and re-evaluation on my purpose and goal.  My Purpose is: "To be an abundant contributor of love, and fulfill the needs of all possible".  At times lately, I have been thinking very selfishly, even to a point yesterday where I was actually thinking "why isn't somebody entertaining me?"  The gall, right??

Today's message at church hit me square between the eyes and helped me to remember my God Given Purpose, and the blessings that come from Being in that Purpose.

At my Camp, Sam Camp 20, I achieved my goal of getting a signed contract with the company I do business with in excess of $250,000.  When I was asked what supported me in achieving my goal, I realized that when I began focusing on everyone else's goal in camp, and how to help them over the wall, my goal just happened.  This statement had not really impacted me until recently when starting our goals up here in Camp 22, and while speaking to some of the other Team Leads.  I now realize that when I am in my purpose, and when we are all serving each other, God is there and he abundantly blesses that!

I have just uncovered how to live my life!!  When I don't know why things aren't going "my way", and I negative feelings etc are coming up for me, I will just ask myself "where did I serve today, and where am I going to serve?"  This question automatically takes a weight off my shoulders, as I know I am choosing to trust God when I feel the loneliest and uncertain of the future.

Lastly, our congregation was given a "Spirituality Litmus Test" in the message today, being asked: "Does your study of the Bible lead you to arrogance or action?"  In other words, when I gain knowledge, or feel I "know" something, am I turning that into action, or am I finding a way to use it to "be right"??

So now I ask you.  Are you using the information God is bringing into your life to "know more" or "be right"?  Or are you taking all that you know, and putting it into action?

How can your life be different this week?  I know how mine can, and I am choosing it!!

Total Hours to date: 59.84 - 80% Complete on my goal!!!

P.S. - I will be 100% and more on my 75 hour goal on or before August 24, 2011 at 11pm AZ time.  However, I pray to never be complete on applying the concepts I have learned in this process, to eternity!