Don't be afraid, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

The Lord met me right where I was at, broken and at my rock bottom..The day after I gave my heart to Jesus....I had an experience. I will do my best to share that experience with you now.

It was early evening on Monday night, June 28th, 2004. I was depressed and confused, knowing that I wanted a better life but not knowing how to get that life. My dad had gone back to Kansas City and the events from the day before seemed far away. My boyfriend that I lived with and I were not speaking, he was not impressed or convinced that I was or could be changed from my "church thing" as he called it. I was lying on top of the covers, in and out of sleep. Something began to happen in me and it frightened me. It began with a humming and a small purple light both of which can only be compared to a tanning bed. The warmth that came next with an increase of light that soon enveloped all of my senses was overwhelming at first. I thought to myself, I need to wake myself up and go back to sleep the right way. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart in that instant...I don't mean that I heard an audible voice but I heard this..."Sweet girl, it's OK...don't be afraid, just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride." Instantly I recognized that I could trust this voice AND He spoke to me in my language. You see, I ride a motorcycle and that is exactly what I would say to someone that had never been on a motorcycle before. I immediately relaxed, and allowed the washing of peace and joy that came with the intensity of the beautiful light, comforting humming, and wonderful warmth. It was amazing! It seemed like it went on forever, but I'm sure it was more like a minute in our time. It went away as quickly as it came. I stood to my feet and in the next instant found myself in the fetal position on the floor,just steps away from the bed. Now the strange thing is (as if that wasn't strange enough) we lived in an old house that when you walked across the floor the pictures on the walls would move. I know that I did not hit the floor lightly, so why didn't he notice? I was just a tiny little turn over his shoulder from his sight. I forced myself to get up for fear that he would see me and ask what the heck was going on.

Now I look back and laugh because I thought it was just for that moment that I needed to "not be afraid, sit back, relax, and enjoy this ride". I had no idea that the ride that I would embark upon would be THIS crazy and awesome! And it just seems to get crazier the more I fall in love with my Creator. We don't serve a safe God! I know that statement may mess with some one's theology but it's true. Don't get me wrong...for the first time in my life I am safe. But...this ride should be radical, crazy full of love, over the top. He is not safe! Why does it say to "fear not", "don't be anxious or afraid" so many times in the Word of God?! We should be uncomfortable in stepping outside of ourselves and our little safety zones and do something for God! TODAY! We are here for a vapor in time the bible says. I'm tired of Christians sitting in church doing nothing to save our youth. Did you know that 2\3 of our youth don't believe that there is a hell or a devil? So the next time someone calls me a Jesus Freak or "way too in to this whole God thing" I'm going to say THANK YOU! I have been commissioned to go into the world and tell the good news!

Lord, thank You for who You are. I pray that you would fan the flame of our desire for Your son Jesus. Open our eyes to the hurting and lost souls. Prompt our spirit to step outside of our comfort zone to get radical for You...whether that's to hug and encourage a complete stranger or give them money or just to tell them how beautiful and important they are to You. We will be in expectation and we love You...In the precious name of Jesus we pray...Amen