How did you come to know the Lord?
“I’m grateful to have been raised by Christian parents who faithfully live out what it looks like to walk with and serve the Lord. I made my faith my own at summer camp when I was in middle school. While I had a solid foundation and intellectual knowledge of God, I did not live in the confidence we have through the death and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 3-4).
“For the last 15 years, my dad has lived with a brain tumor. Our family has experienced seasons of intense treatments but also seasons of near normalcy. During the long seasons of treatment, my faith was tested. I lived in the tension of knowing God is good and sovereign, but I found myself distrusting, questioning, and limiting God. I knew God loved me, and yet, I didn’t feel I deserved to ask God for what I really wanted: healing for my dad. I was overwhelmed by how much was out of my control, so I focused on striving for perfection in everything I could control: school, work, my relationships with others, and my self-image. But striving for perfection is exhausting, and this caused even more stress and anxiety in my life.
“Thankfully, the Lord has continued to sanctify and strengthen my faith. He is faithful to remind me of His provision and character through His word and His people. I’ve learned that God is not afraid of my distrust or questions, He is sovereign and can handle them. I’m quick to put constraints on God, but God is not a human, He is limitless and able to work things together in ways I could not even dream. Living in the fullness of God’s gift of salvation means operating as a child of God, one who unashamedly runs to the Father with our requests. As I continue to dive deeper with the Lord, I’ve found that striving for perfection is striving for self-sufficiency, and He instead desires for me to depend on Him for everything. His grace is not opposed to effort, but it is opposed to earning. God desires my heart. Peace and rest are found in rightly acknowledging my imperfect humanity and God’s magnificent perfection.”
How did you start serving with Watermark Community Development Corporation (CDC)?
“Watermark was one of the first churches I visited when I moved to Dallas. My first time, I was very intimidated. I looked around, and everyone seemed to know and be known by others, but I wasn’t sure if I would ever find that. I thought it was just too big, and I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t come back for months as I tried other churches, but God had a plan to bring me to Watermark as I learned about all of the potential serving opportunities.
“From previous experience, I thought serving in the church meant choosing between teaching, worship, or some sort of manual labor. And while those things are so important for the local church, I felt like there was more I could do to use my specific gifts. That’s when I found out about Financial Catalyst and Watermark CDC. The Lord opened my eyes to see that there are many other ways I could use my gifts to serve God and His people.
“I am gifted analytically and mathematically, so I felt very equipped to serve with Watermark CDC’s Financial Catalyst. But I quickly learned it’s really not about that at all! While having those skills in this area of service is helpful, the most important part of serving with Watermark CDC is building relationships to point people to Christ. My role is ultimately not to teach people how a 401K works, but to help someone feel seen, known, and loved by the Lord.”
How have you seen the Lord’s faithfulness in your time serving?
“Now we’ve watched people who are a few years out of one of the CDC programs, and who own a small business, have a house, and are financially stable, and also so reliant on the Lord. From day one, folks are so vulnerable about the situations they're in, and they are so hopeful for what the Lord has for them. It is inspiring to see.
“I have learned so much from the people who participate in Financial Catalyst. They have unique perspectives and life experiences that are different from mine, and we all have the opportunity to get around the table and be encouraged by one another.”
Join Watermark this June as we Love Our City by serving with ministry partners like Watermark Community Development Corporation. Find more information, upcoming event, and how to get involved.