John Leach. Na 08.
In my experience New Attitude has always inevitably challenged and irrevocably changed my life. Attending New Attitude in 2006 and 2007 I emerged each time with a greater passion for Christ, his word, his kingdom, and his ultimate glory in every aspect of my life. With high expectations I packed my bags and boarded a plane for Louisville and the 2008 New Attitude Conference woefully unprepared for what the Lord had in store for me. I left a day early for the Conference, leaving my parents caring for my youngest sister who had recently fallen ill, and eager to serve in the pre-New Attitude set up. When my plane touched down in Louisville I received a text message from my mother and father telling me that my youngest sister Katie, a 12 year old ball of energy, was being rushed to the emergency room at Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania.
While in route to Na my parents had taken Katie to our Pediatrician who upon examining Katie had immediately urged them to the emergency room suspecting that she had diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition where one’s blood has dangerously high levels acids (ketones) that can lead to diabetic coma or even death. A few hours after settling into the hotel I got a call informing me that Katie was in critical condition and that she might not make it through the night. The doctors informed my parents that a build up of fluid in the brain caused by the ketoacidosis could lead to bleeding in the brain and irreparable brain damage. Words cannot describe the fear and anxiety that bulldozed their way into my heart. I remember vividly standing outside the Galt House and wrestling with the reality that my youngest sister could pass away while I was in Louisville Kentucky--which seemed, for all intents and purposes, light years away for Philadelphia Pennsylvania and my sick baby sister. I did the only thing I could do, I cried out to the Lord for strength.
The next day came with all the excitement and adventure that New Attitude can muster yet in my heart I was still asking God why I was at Na and not home with my sister. I remember entering into worship the first night comforted by the thousands of believers lifting their voices and hands in worship to God without reservation. I knew that God had placed me at New Attitude for a reason. With tears in my eyes I repented of my doubt and came to peace with the fact that God might be calling Katie home to him. As I participated in worship, engaged in small group discussion, and listened to messages my heart and soul were nourished, refreshed, and sustained with the living water of God’s word.
John Piper’s second message specifically impressed upon me the vital importance of the Word of God in a believers life and I was reminded of a phrase my father used to encourage me about using scripture. My dad used to tell me that “you can’t swing a sword if you don’t pick it up” and throughout NA 2008, specifically Piper’s second message, I saw that I hadn’t been picking up the sword of God’s word. I felt that I was seeing and savoring Christ in the his word with new eyes and learning to take the sword of his word and cut at the fear and anxiety that sough to ensnare me. At NA 08 God revealed the truths of His word and I was able to see every circumstance in my life as an opportunity to live Soli Deo Gloria. New Attitude 2008 strengthened my trust in the Lord, imparted a greater passion for his word applied in in my life, and renewed faith for His plan for my future. By God’s grace I confronted my doubt and when I cast my cares on him. He gave me hope and joy that was beyond my circumstances and gave me faith for the future.
When I purposed in my heart to fully trust in the sovereign plan God had laid out for my life and my little sister’s life I felt a weight had been lifted from my shoulders and waves of peace and contentment flow over me. Soon after I stopped trying to figure everything out with my finite mind and trusted in the Lord for the outcome of this situation I found out that Katie was in stable condition and doing well. I returned home to find Katie full of energy and adjusting to life with Diabetes. There have been no further complications and Katie is doing well. At New Attitude I learned to place my full trust in the Lord no matter what the circumstances because he is sovereign and worthy to own all of our lives, even our future. Whether I face car problems or a little sister in critical condition I know that in life and in death my family, friends, and I belong to God and my greatest need our greatest need has been met by his death on the cross. He has complete control and we can rest because our feet our placed on a firm foundation that will never be shaken. Soli Deo Gloria!
