IF God is Real, then...

For some reason, I've had a difficult time putting into words what the Lord is doing in my heart in recent days. There have been mountaintop moments where God's hand has been so evident and then there have been moments of deep burden and grief for what is going on in our world today.  In our country. In my town. 

Let me give a little background: Last year I discovered an author by the name of Jennie Allen. I read her book Anything and it changed my life.  A few months later I somehow managed to get 3 other girls I barely knew at the time to do one of her Bible studies with me. A few months after that we sat together in my living room and got to be a part of a live simulcast of a women's event called IF: Gathering. I wasn't really sure what to expect but the line-up of speakers and worship leaders had me intrigued. I'm talking Shelley Giglio, Lauren Chandler, Jen Hatmaker, Christine Caine, Ann Voskamp, and Christy Nockels, to name a few. These were women I had respected and admired for a long time and if they were in on something God was doing, I wanted to be a part of it.

It was amazing! Thanks to technology, what started out being an event that the leaders weren't sure if anyone would come to, turned out to be something that thousands of women from all over the globe were able to be a part of online.

IF: Gathering's goal is to gather, equip, and unleash the next generation of women to live out their purpose.  And that's exactly what it has done. God lit a fire in me that weekend. I started asking myself questions like: Do I really believe God is real and how does that affect how I live my life? How does that affect how I read His word? How I look at other people? How I spend my time?

We get one shot at this life. One. And I just don't want to waste it.

I know there are so many women who are restless. I know because I've been there too. They have God-given dreams and giftings that they let die because of insecurity, or fear, or past sin, or because there just isn't much more to give after washing dishes, doing laundry, and changing dirty diapers all day.  

God has given me such a burden for women in my circle of influence and in my town to know Jesus. To walk in freedom, instead of fear. To love each other and quit comparing and judging one another. I want us to quit seeking self-worth in whether or not we have a ring on our finger, or how much money we have, or what number the scale says-- because Jesus already died to have a relationship with us and He is enough. I pray that women start to love their neighbor, more than their opinions. That they quit putting their backs up against the Gospel because they think they have to "defend it" against people that don't share their same morals and start loving on, building relationships, and sharing the Gospel with those people in coffee shops, and in living rooms, and in their workplace.  I pray that sisters in Christ will remember that Satan is the enemy and not one another. That we can have unity in the Body no matter what our denomination is, or age, or race, or socioeconomic status because one of the things Jesus prayed for on the last night of His life was for us to be one--just as He and the Father are one. (John 17)

Over the last year, God has led me and my dear friends on a journey of stepping out in faith in so many different areas of our lives, believing that God really is who He says He is. And, y'all, He has been faithful. I've been so proud as I've watched my best friends, who are wives and mothers (and who also have full-time jobs), start to live out their callings with courage, humility, and grace.  

And now God is asking us to dream bigger.  

There is another IF: Gathering on February 6-7, 2015 and I encourage anyone and everyone that can to be a part.  God has called me to take responsibility for the women in my town and to gather these women to pray, to dream, to learn from one another, and to encourage each other in our callings-- whatever they may be.  

And it is happening. Just last week, 8 of us (many who had just met for the first time) gathered around a table, ate delicious food, and began to dream about what God might do in our town if we truly seek Him and allow Him to use us.

Then on September 23rd, we, along with thousands of other women across the globe, are going to come together again for IF: Pray. We will pray and beg God to move in our places, and with our people, and in our time here. I would love for you to be a part of it!  You can look here and see if there is a IF: local group near you and, if not, you could even start your own.

God is Real. And Heaven is Real. And Jesus is coming back. And someday this earth and all the evil in it will be gone. Celebrity, politics, financial status, and social media will no longer matter. Christ alone is ever-lasting and He is working, and healing, and saving, and restoring and I just don't want to miss it.

You can be a part of it too.

IF...

Love Always,

Cara