The NOVA experience: Week 1

It's been exactly one week since I left Boston to come to a completely foreign land known as NOVA (Northern Virginia). Over the course of the 9 hours it took to get here, it finally hit me that I was leaving the place I've called home for 16 years. Boston was where everyone I loved was. Boston was where growing pains happened. Boston was where I learned how to play guitar and sing. Boston was where I fell in love with basketball. And Boston was where I grew spiritually in my individual walk with Christ. Boston is who I am. Why the heck did I leave? Why did I leave my beloved home where life was good and comfortable? Doubt seriously crossed my mind.

But then, I remembered. My decision to come down to NOVA was simply this: To learn to love God through all things. If there was anything my time in college taught me, it was the condition of my own heart. I saw my personal shortcomings as a man, but failed every time I actually tried to correct them. I felt like God blessed me so much in my life thus far, but I couldn't say with complete confidence that I'd still love Him when (not if) crap hit the fan. I realized I loved God for his works and not just because. That isn't real love, that's a love built off benefit. 

I came down to NOVA in search of suffering. As weird as that sounds, I need it. Similar to how a furnace fortifies gold, suffering fortifies faith. I left my ho-hum life in Boston where I could've worked at a decently paid internship, been with all my friends and family, and served a church I loved, all for what? To work at a blue-collar job living paycheck by paycheck, to have no familiar faces other than my pastor, and to intern at a church I knew nothing about. It's all ridiculous even as I write this, but I know God's got this. I need to know my heart more, to know my strengths and weaknesses as a Christian, and to learn to serve humbly through thick and thin. Just like the biblical story of the 3 men who walked into the burning furnace, I've taken a giant leap of faith into my own personal furnace (it is really hot in VA right now).

Phew, Week 1 has been one heck of a ride already. I honestly came down with nothing set in stone and many would say I was foolish, borderline reckless. My time here has been filled with anxiety due to a lack of structure and I've needed constant prayer for guidance. In just one whirlwind of a week (it's felt like a month), I've already served on a Sunday, found a part-time job and room rental, and started my internship at KCPC. In addition, I've been fortunate enough to be plugged right into the NOVA community as we've had fellowship every single day I've been here thus far and I've probably seen hundreds of new faces. The whole experience can only be taken in stride, but I am grateful for this unique opportunity. On to week 2. 

Stay Easy,

Will