Brave - Nichole Nordeman

The gate is wide, The road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground, You're safe and sound and
Until now it's where I've been
'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the strings

So long status quo, I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough, You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

I am small, And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all, I say Your name
Just Your name and I'm ready to jump, Even ready to fall...

I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame
Every storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if you believe in me, That changes everything

I've had a miserable time these past few days trying to comprehend the fact that I won't be at youth group anymore, hanging out at least once a week with all of my favorite people. There's a gaping hole in me, and I'm heartbroken. For any youth ministry students and staff reading this, you really do mean the world to me and I have felt the full extent of this loss over the past few days. I have asked God to confirm that I've made the right decision, and he gave me encouragement through three close friends today and I have a little more peace in my heart. I am so scared and exhilarated by this move to leave Northlake. I feel like I'm in the first few seconds of free-fall on one of those zipper rides at the fair. My stomach has migrated north, and I can't quite catch my breath, even to scream. There's no way to go back, to get off this ride. The ride doesn't usually last too long, but knowing that doesn't lessen the intensity of the experience. At this point, I'm struggling to imagine how God could provide me with an equally wonderful, beautiful group of people. But, like Steve said to me tonight, I've just jumped off a cliff, and it might take a little while for my parachute to open. My life right now looks like a barren wasteland, stretching out for infinity, but I think this will just make God's surprises that much more delightful for me to receive.

Thanks for your prayers. I'm praying for you all too.