Sometimes when I read biblical accounts, I can see how extreme God had to be to get the attention of His people and people who He was going to use to do His will. Heck, when I look at my own life, I look at that same extremeness. I know you will find this hard to believe because, for those who don’t know me, I look all sweet and docile, but I’m quite bull-headed. I have always had a mouth that can be used as a lethal weapon. With that sharp mouth came some bold, sassy prayers…maybe “demands “would be a better term. In any event, there were some pretty extreme prayers. While you may think you’re on the road to righteousness, you hit a few road blocks. It is then that God takes extreme measures to get our attention. In doing so, sometimes it provokes extreme faith. I like to call it “radical faith.”
I remember back in October 2005, I was driving down Albemarle Road in Charlotte. I was on my way to work at Bank of America. I didn’t hate the job, but I didn’t love it either. I also remember not getting along with my immediate supervisor. It seemed that she was always picking on me about something, and my best was never good enough for her. I really wrestled with yielding to her authority because I felt she provided inadequate leadership. God did not place me there to like leadership style. I would later learn I was there because I had a problem with ALL authority, including His. Let me preface this by saying that in 2004 I began sensing that God was going to move me. I had been praying about this and God was steadily breaking me down. It was an extreme situation for me and it required extreme measures. So, while driving down that road, I said to God, “I need to You give me some radical faith! I need it to be some real crazy faith because I’m sick of this situation and I need to believe in something radical and crazy!” It would not come to pass right away, but I kept reminding God of what I asked for. Then in December 2005, I told my sister to get ready because she was going to be mother’s caregiver. Then in February 2006, I asked my mother how she would feel about me moving away again. She said she didn’t know, but countered with, “Why?” I told her God was getting ready to move me again and I didn’t know where it would be.
So while asking for this radical faith and sensing the upcoming move, I activated that faith even further by applying for positions outside of NC. I applied in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Virginia. Texas was the furthest thing from my mind. I saw this position at a KIPP school in Austin, TX and didn’t know anything about it. I applied in March 2006 and it would not be until May 2006 that I would hear from them. Before that, immediately after submitting that resume, I ordered a video about Austin from the Chamber of Commerce. Who does that? No one! It seemed as though I was on auto-pilot. The video came and I watched it over and over and over. It made no sense to me to do this, but I was doing it.
In the meantime, I kept praying and seeking God while applying for jobs. Finally, the call came from the KIPP school in Austin. That was the Tuesday after Memorial Day (2006). I had the phone interview on that Thursday and then I was invited to Austin for a face-to-face interview. I knew it had to be from God because KIPP purchased my airline ticket for me and took care of my hotel and rental car ,as well. If you are an educator, you know schools NEVER do that! I continued to see the hand of the Lord in it. I came. I saw. I conquered. I got the job offer, but not right away. Three weeks later.
Even before that, about six months before that interview, I was already packing up my apartment and getting rid of stuff. While doing so, I couldn’t explain it, I was just doing it. When the call came, I was ready. When God is doing that extreme thing, we can be caught off guard…unprepared, but I wasn’t. When He moves, He does it so fast that it occurs in the blink of an eye; the snap of your fingers! Before I knew it and by the end of July 2006, I had moved half way across country and was setting up residence in Austin, TX, USA!
I’m still in awe of this amazing journey that God allows me to be a part of. I love His extremeness and I love it when He reveals it in my life! Sometimes, He has to be extreme with me because I’m so bull-headed. God knows that if He gives me too many details, I will take them and run! That is not His plan or desire for my life. Why? He simply wants me to extend my faith and trust Him. The older I get, the wiser I become in who He is. Is it easy? Absolutely not, but I get better at it and become a lot more sensitive to the extremeness of God and where and how He is working in my life! God is not intimidated by your bold request or your bold faith! Give it to Him…He can handle it!
Redbone and Rice 
I’m one of your lifelong friends and I don’t recognize this statement “I know you will find this hard to believe because, for those who don’t know me, I look all sweet and docile…” You’ve never looked sweet and docile to me, however; I can say you have been bullheaded and extreme. I love this piece and I want to tell you how much I appreciate you. You’ve been the tool God shared with me to grow me in faith, thank you!
LikeLike