Beyond Ourselves: Cheryl Baird
This is a very important chapter in the history of Blanchard Alliance Church. I'm excited. I'm not excited about the Beyond Campaign. I'm excited about how God is moving and working as we ask Him to teach us about surrendering our hearts. I'm thrilled to be involved in a project that will serve the under served, and push us beyond our comfort zone as a congregation. This project will open up a facility where new people will experience God, maybe for the first time in their lives. We will have a significant percentage of people giving their resources to build a facility they will rarely visit, and I find that inspiring.Brian and I arrived at a dollar amount for our pledge in August. Honestly, we had talked far more than we had prayed. When we slowed down a bit and began earnestly seeking God in this project it only took a few weeks for both of us to acknowledge we felt uncomfortable with our number. Our discomfort stemmed from knowing that while the amount was reasonable, manageable & safe—it was not truly sacrificial.
I felt like I was holding open one hand, and lifting it up to God while my other hand remained in a fist, protective of the extra and unnecessary things in our lives. I felt restless with the first number, as if I was hiding or hoarding our resources from God.
Living within the will of God is a dangerous journey because it's not in sync with the typical values or beliefs of this world. As God prodded us we took our first number and doubled it. On a tax return it may appear reckless, but in God's economy it is simply obedient. We have never felt more peaceful.