Be Bold

Basically...yesterday was crazy.

Me and my friend, Candice (coolest person in THE world) were hanging out and decided to venture into a warehouse-looking coffee shop, that sits perfectly with an incredible view of the downtown Raleigh skyline. This place is not your regular coffee shop. I don't think it was technically even open for business. But we went in anyways. It's awesome inside, burlap everywhere, photography on the walls, old rustic window frames, a big yellow coffee roaster, the greatest smell you have ever smelled. As we were looking around we began to read the backs of the coffee bags and the news article framed on the wall. This business, Oak City Coffee Roasters and the guy that runs it is all about compassion. Read their website and you'll know what I mean. http://www.oakcityroasters.com/about-oc

We knew there was something different about this place and this guy. Candice said "Alright this guy has gotta love Jesus." First off, I'm so encouraged by Candice, her boldness and how she loves on people. Candice started to talk to him and figure out what he was about. As soon as he handed us a bag of coffee labeled 'the good Shepard' we knew. And sure enough...he LOVED Jesus. I mean like the most Godly man I have ever encountered. He lead us to some chairs in the shop, and he shared parts of his life with us. He shared his vision for his company, in loving and praying over the city of Raleigh, he shared stories of how the Lord has worked in his life. I sat in awe listening to the wisdom pour out of this man's mouth.

The connections our new friend, Bill and Candice were making were INSANE. Turns out, he goes and walks and prays over the same streets where Candice does ministry with Urban Young Life. Like what?! The other day, Candice mentioned wanting to start playing some shows but didn't know where she was going to play. Bill was talking about needing someone who sang/played music to come play on First Friday and I literally kicked Candice in the foot. They made plans and now Candice is playing there in November. I mean dang Jesus is BIG in the ways He works.

We got the pleasure of spending an hour with this guy and just listening. Listening to how he felt called in life and how he is shining Jesus' light throughout Raleigh.

Isaiah 58: 7-9 [the message]

What I’m interested in seeing you do is:

    sharing your food with the hungry,

    inviting the homeless poor into your homes,

    putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,

    being available to your own families.

Do this and the lights will turn on,

    and your lives will turn around at once.

Your righteousness will pave your way.

    The God of glory will secure your passage.

Then when you pray, God will answer.

    You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’

Jesus, 

I want to be bold. I want to love like you love. Everyday I encounter everyone of your beloved children. I'm looking into the flesh of You. I don't want to miss the opportunity. The opportunity to spread Your grace and Your love. Allow me to open my heart to them and to ask the questions that others are too busy or too scared to ask. To be bold and to be intentional. There's a fire in my heart for You and for people Jesus. Allow me to truly grasp that we are all your beloveds. I want to want to know other people, I want to want to love other people. I want to love people like You love people. Grant me a heart like Yours Jesus. Grant me eyes like Yours, to see them as absolutely precious. I want to make a change in the world for Your glory. I want to leave the comfortable and venture into the uncomfortable. To be in a place where I have to be unconditionally, completely dependent on You. I want to be stripped of worldly things. Wherever Your will takes me, I want to go. I mean I really want to go. I know it's easier said than done. But with You as my constant, right by my side, I know that I can do it. Break me Jesus. Break me of my pride and my self entitled faith. Humble my heart. This life is not about me. Allow me to read the tough scripture and to literally act upon it. To take the homeless into my house, to feed the poor. I'm so used to only loving on people who already love me. What is the good in that. I want to love people who have never seen nor heard my name. I want to love the ones that are hard to love, the ones who don't love me. "I want, I want, I want." You're probably saying to me, "Then go Sarah, go and do those things, don't say you want to do them and just sit around. Don't make the excuse of you're young, or you're shy, or 'not right now'. Go and do them. Get up. Change your city, love your city. And I'll be there right beside you." 

These past few weeks so many thoughts have been running through my head. "Am I doing this right?" "Is this how it's suppose to look?" "I should probably do this, I should probably do that." But that's not what it's about. It's about each morning when I wake up, to pray to be made more in Your likeness. To go out that day and to love people, to love them like You would love them. I'm broken and I'm going to fail. But You make me new and You wrap me in Your arms.