"Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son your sins are forgiven."..."I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Mark 2: 4-5, 11-12
This is the story of where I have been the paralyzed and I have been the friend and I have seen the Lord transform lives through the mission of Young Life. The faith of my family and the faith of Leslie Spann is the faith that Jesus saw as they lowered me through the roof.
Leslie climbed the roof with a wild group of girls. I was lowered. I reached the floor before Jesus. He healed me.
My encounter with Christ empowers me to begin the climb with other girls. I learned what it means to be intentionally invested. I learned to desire the same encounter with Christ with my family and friends. Through Young Life I had the opportunity to watch my sister be lowered to the feet of Jesus and encounter Christ. This would forever change our relationship.
Young Life has impacted my family.
I have learned what it means to love my coworkers and boss with the same intentional and unconditional love I had for my high school friends.
Young Life impacted my job.
As I begin Young Life staff I am grateful for the many lessons that I learned as a high school club kid, a Young Life leader and career leaders in Charleston.
I begin another climb to the roof.
Loudon High School girls.
I am asking for faith to trust in His sovereignty and desire for these girls to encounter Jesus Christ as he is willing to transform their lives.
I praise God for those who I have carried and watch Him heal. Those like me whom have found security, significance and purpose. I continue to pray for those who went kicking and screaming or weren't willing to trust. I trust that seeds planted didn't fall on unfertile soil. My heart breaks for them to know God deeply.
When the paralyzed stand and walk in full view, as I stand before you now, praise God saying, "We have never seen anything like this." I stand here because of the faith that Young Life has for kids to encounter and be changed by Christ. Thank you Jesus for choosing the small room. Thank you for drawing the crowds. Thank you mom and dad for trusting Young Life. Thank you Leslie for lowering the rope. Thank you Jackson Young Life for teaching me to walk.
You shall continue to see greater things than this!
(My Modified talk from Jackson Young Life banquet- September 15)
What are you paralyzed by?
What paralyzes you?
Are you ready to be carried?
Do you kick and scream on the way up to the roof? Do you allow your friends to carry you up?
Do you anticipate encountering Jesus in a small room?
Do you trust that He can heal you?
Do you anticipate seeing greater things than this?
From the moment I walked into Loudon High School, I began to pray and figure out where my niche is when it comes to meeting new faces. I end up every afternoon at cheerleading practice. Red and White! I watched them cheer, tumble, run routines and do it all over again. I introduce myself and the reason why I stay and watch. 
