“I want to go to GYC,” I said at the beginning of November.
Provision, I thought. I can trust in God’s plan and provision.
Let me tell you how it went.
One month before the event, I began searching for an early bird resale ticket—with the hopes of it not including meals. Because my ACF ministry was covering the costs, I didn’t want it to be expensive. But I also knew I wouldn’t need a ticket for every meal.
A day after beginning my search, a woman reached out and told me she had two for sale. Although both tickets included meals and t-shirts, this seemed like an answer to prayer so I agreed to begin the transfer process. It was an early bird ticket, after all. That was essentially what I had wanted. This was God answering my prayer, surely.
Plans changed. The woman didn’t need to sell her ticket anymore, because God provided a way instead for her and her husband to get to GYC. This made me confused. Praise God! But God, don’t I still need a ticket? I thought that had been your provision. Should I buy a late registration ticket instead? Is that what you’re telling me to do?
A couple days later, I joined the group chat of Wisconsinite GYC goers. The first message to pop up a few minutes after I joined was someone connecting me with a girl who had space in her room. Why was God providing my housing before he provided the ticket? I began thinking that if I committed too much that I might end up travelling all the way there with just the hope that a ticket would surface and I could fully attend. Of course, that’s something that God could do! But that’s exactly what made me nervous. Lord, this isn’t good for my stress levels. What is Your plan?
I received another notification from the group chat two days later. After reading the message, I swear I stubbed my toe in the rush to reach out. The admin of the group was selling an early bird ticket.
No meals. No t-shirt. Just one general attendee ticket. I was actually going to GYC.
I do have to say that I wanted a shirt, but it turns out God even had a plan for that! But I suppose that’s another story.
A week after my registration confirmation, my older sister expressed a desire to go. I began the search for another ticket. I cannot speak on behalf of my sister’s experience, but I do know how God worked wonders and provided for her too. He wanted us both there.
Whether they were small or personal, I saw God answer my prayers. So I knew I could rely on him to bless my experience at GYC, and he truly did.
The theme of this year’s Generation of Youth for Christ conference was Wherever He Goes. I know God was working through the variety of people who shared testimonies, morning devotions, ministry opportunities, sermons, seminar topics, and their musical talents; everything spoke of His hand in it. I especially enjoyed the united prayer times.
But after the four days and a ten hour drive, I returned home with one thought pulsing in my mind; Jesus is not a feeling.
He’s really not. He’s here, alive, and always with me. He’s a choice I can make each day. Even my next second isn’t promised, but I can choose Jesus now and simply follow wherever He leads. He has a plan for it all.