Did you know it would look like this?

Having now lived in "The Hill" for over a decade and also leading Wildheart for nearly the same amount of time, I am asked that question literally all of the time. The simple answer is: not in my wildest dreams! But when I pause to reflect on it more, for every moment that I can recall being surprised, I feel a sense of déjà vu, not that I had ever had those experiences, but that what I was experiencing wasn't "new or unexpected." King Solomon is often made famous for his quote saying, "there is nothing new under the sun." And I find myself strangely comforted by that in the context of the human experience. There are things that are absolutely "new" to me; however, regardless of how ill-equipped or unfit I may believe myself to be for whatever the case may be, my faith doesn't allow me to shrink back in fear or insecurity because Love compels me forward into a path it has already walked.

Things that I could have never known, but somehow make sense looking back through my history of faith and a pattern bent towards the unconventional methodology:

1. I grew up in rural Oklahoma - of course I didn't see myself living in and raising my family in inner city Harrisburg! BUT, I always knew that my "Yes" would take me places I never thought I'd go.

2. I'm born and raised pretty traditional "vanilla" - of course I didn't see myself marrying a fiery Puerto Rican wife and raising my family in the melting pot of Harrisburg! BUT, I always knew that my "Yes" would lead me to love everyone around me, regardless of how different our backgrounds are.

3. I wasn't formally trained to do this - of course I never imagined I'd be leading a growing organization and running a business! BUT, I always knew that my "Yes" would matter more in eternity than my qualifications or the letters following my name.

4. I'm just an average, ordinary guy - of course I never imagined that serving my neighbors would put me in front of cameras, seated at tables with dignitaries and helping to bring communities together! BUT, I always knew that my "Yes," through trials and perseverance, would eventually impart courage to others to also say, "YES!"

What I'm saying is pretty simple, yet it holds all the power to unlock the potential of each and every one of us when Love leads the way. When we spend less energy making excuses; when we lay down the man-made measuring sticks; when we forfeit comfortability and predictability and say, "yes," we enter into the divinely-constructed human experience of seeing opportunity for Love all around us. 

I never thought my "yes" would have such a profound impact on a city and a people I've come to love with my whole being, and I'm just wondering what would happen if you also said "YES!"