I distinctly remember the day I stood on the Statue of Liberty, desperately seeking God’s will on our plan to move to New York. It was a hot August afternoon and we’d waited for nearly two hours to make the climb. Finally we stood at Liberty’s feet… taking in the view. By this point we were all but committed to moving to New York City. Andi had distinctly heard God’s leading the day before in the 9/11 Memorial in St Paul’s chapel. But I wanted my own revelation, something to come back to when the road got tough, and I knew it would.
I remember feeling overwhelmed. The size of the city. The fact that at that time we knew two people there. Two people, in a city of millions. My business was flourishing in Australia and suddenly we were considering moving to New York… the most expensive city in the world… during the worst crisis since the Great Depression… leaving family and friends behind… to plant a church… and take my business global. I thought to myself many times, “Either this is God, or this is insanity”.
How will we live? Will I find new clients? Will anyone come to our church? Where will the money come from? Oh God… is this You?
I stared at the Manhattan skyline. I’m embarrassed to admit it but I was hoping God would give me a scripture promise in that moment. In all honesty I was worried as a husband and Dad, “How will I provide?”. Yes, I know all the right things to say. “God provides, not you Paul”. But in my humanity I was afraid.
I wanted a bible verse to leap into my mind. Preferably one about prosperity. Or a nice verse about security. “Yea verily you shall prosper Paul and it’ll all be ok”… something like that.
But instead, as clearly as I have ever heard the voice of God, I felt Him ask me a question. A question that has haunted me since. A question that changed everything.
“What would you give for a city?”
When He asked me that, in an instant everything changed. It wasn’t about security. It wasn’t about me. It wasn’t about us. It was about sacrifice. It was about millions of people that needed Jesus. It was about a city that God loves.
What was I willing to give? Unconditionally. With uncertainty. Before provision. Without a team. Without knowing “how”… only “why”.
What if it was just Andi and I and the kids? What if all my ducks weren’t in a row? Was I willing to lay down my business? My giant suburban house? My home church of 20 years? My friendships? Was I willing to give God control?
“What would you give for a city?”
The answer was simple. EVERYTHING. I give everything. The most costly decision of my life, besides giving my life to Christ.
I wept. I died to myself, and to having my way.
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. John12:24 (TNIV)
Since that day many blessings have come. People. Favour. Finance. Support. Family. A home. The list goes on and on.
But it started with a sacrifice.
That’s my story, but it could be yours.
“What would you give for a city?”
Your answer to that could change everything.
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