If You Want to Do Big Things, You Have to Make Big Asks

I remember sitting in my high school Bible class as a Sophomore in High School, as John Zylka, our Director of Campus Community was teaching that day. If you know Mr. Z at all, he is quite the guy. His stories are incredible- from his fire fighting days, to teaching, to simply being a parent, and doing life with a lot of kids and teens, this guy has seen and done a lot. It is also commonly known that Zylka knows EVERYONE. You need a connection with the Detriot Tigers? He knows a guys. Michigan Football? He knows a guy. Someone from Mott Children's He knows a guy. It really is amazing in the grand scheme of things... Zylka started at my school when I was in 7th grade I believe. Maybe 8th. Can't really remember anymore. But that first year he made it known that he wanted to know every kid in the school by name, and he wanted to know about your life. He also made it know that if he accidentally called us by the wrong name, he would buy us anything we wanted from Subway. And he did just that. He didn't have to buy a ton of subs, because once Zylka knows you, he knows you. But he did buy subs, he even bought one for me at one point. And Zylka would always tell us that that is what is important in life- it's not about the money, it's not about the job. It's about the people. Get to know the janitor, ask them about their day, sincerely. Talk to people. Find ways to love them. Because in the end, its the community that you build that will help you when you need it, and you will help them in return.

So back to Sophmore Bible class. Zylka was teaching and told us that we would be working on a semester long project, something to benefit our community, and we each had to work on an individual project. He also told us that he wanted us to dream really, really big. Like finding a cure to cancer big. He assured us that we wouldn't succeed on our big dream this round, but that we needed to find that willingness, that drive to chase that dream. I can't remember the story exactly, but Zylka was in a position where he needed a helicopter for something. Not exactly something an everyday civilian can get their hands on easily. He told us the story, and eventually he secured a helicopter (or whatever it was he needed. That's not the point). I remember him saying very clearly to us "You guys know why that worked out? Because sometimes when you want to do big things, you have to be willing to make big asks! That's what I want you to do with this project.... Go make some big asks, and make a difference!" 

Sitting there at 16 years old, this hit me hard. As a very shy, quiet person any sort of "big ask" seemed beyond terrifying. And so after a few weeks as I developed my project I determined I was going to sell candy bars, and collect food for Hope Clinic, a local food bank and help location for those in need in Ypsilanti. My big ask? I contacted local stores, and asked them to donate money or boxes of candy bars for me to sell. Sam's Club awarded me $25, and I was beyond thrilled. I ended up raising around $125 for Hope Clinic, and brought in a few boxes of food/non perishables. For me, this was HUGE. I never expected to even raise $30, much less over $100.

Little did I know that this service project led to me having a leadership role in Beta Club my Junior and Senior years of high school and leading monthly collections of food and non perishables for Hope Clinic the rest of my time at WCA. We donated hundreds and hundreds of boxes of food over the next couple years, and it even continued for a while after I graduated. All because I dared to make one big ask.

I'm sitting here at Starbucks as I often do, contemplating and processing my life. I will be 26 in less than a week, and in short this year has been CRAZY. If you had told me at this time last year that I would be sitting here a year later basically unemployed, broke, and clueless about next steps I woulda been like "OH HECK NO. We aren't doing that! NO WAY. I know what I am doing, and where I am going, and that is NOT IT. I won't let it get that bad!" And yet, here we are. It's moments like this that make me thankful we aren't allowed to know the future... because if we were, I am pretty sure most of us wouldn't live to see it.

My life from December 2017 to the present has been extremely difficult to say the least. I quit a job I loved, because the parent I worked for was literally insane, and making my life a living hell. (Just ask my roommate lol) I thought I'd get a job in a week, and things would be fine.... they weren't. Christmas rolled around- still unemployed. Then, I ended up with food poisoning, and things kept going downhill. I finally landed some part time work in January, and have justtttt barely been squeaking by financially. After getting screwed for a 3rd or 4th time with a family telling me they were offering me a full time position, I decided that something needs to change, because I cannot survive under this amount of financial stress for really any more months.

So last Friday, I made a daring decision. I decided to start applying for jobs in Michigan. People, by Monday I had eleven interviews set up. ELEVEN. After MONTHS of nothing, ELEVEN INTERVIEWS. To say that I got overwhelmed was an understatement. By Monday afternoon? I was offered a job. Granted, I couldn't take that job because the pay wasn't going to be worth it for me to move back, but still it was an offer. I sat down Monday afternoon, straight up panicking realizing I was going to have to make MAJOR life decisions pretty quickly if one of these jobs does pan out. I talked to my dad, and my therapist Gina, and both reinforced one thing: You have to do what's best for you. My internal response?!: "NO. I DON'T FEEL LIKE AN ADULT RIGHT NOW. I NEED AN ADULTIER ADULT TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS FOR MEEEE!!!!" After some tears and tea, I calmed down and started handling things like an adult, I am happy to say!! ;)

I sit here almost a week later in the same Starbucks, and I am simply overwhelmed by what God has shown in the past week. I feel like the widow in the Bible with the little oil left that didn't run out as I went to pay rent this morning and still somehow have SOME money left in my bank account. Don't get me wrong- where I am at is NOT a good place. I am NOT happy to be here.... But, I know darn well it is where I need to be, as uncomfortable as it is.

My thought process went back to Zylka's Bible class this morning.... He challenged us to make "big asks" in every part of our life- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs. All things. As I sat this week applying for jobs, and doing phone and in person interviews. I have been making big asks. I have been asking for more hours, and more pay. I have a degree, and I know that my skills are worth what I am asking for. I realized this week that I want to do grad school online, through a Christian university which is NOT what I would have said had you asked me even two weeks ago. I am being brave, and asking God to help me find a job that will give me enough financial security to meet my needs so that I can focus on school full time, and go back into doing ministry eventually as a therapist. A few weeks ago? I would have been afraid to admit any of this outloud. Afraid to admit that I have dreams, and I want to chase them again, because I am SO terrified of failure because of how hellish the past few years of my life have been. And yet I just kept hearing Zylka's voice saying "Marissa, if you want to do big things, you have to be willing to make big asks." And just as God worked through my "big ask" in High school, I know that He will work through my "big asks" now.

So here is my random thought of the day for you: Are you willing to make big asks to accomplish your dreams? Are you willing to trust God with your hopes and dreams? Are you willing to go through whatever it takes to get there? My dad and Gina both said something to me similar on Monday: You say you want to go to school- but are you willing to do whatever it takes to make going to school a reality? Even moving home for a few months, going to school online, working a job you don't "love" etc.? Are you willing? And I realized that before this week. I wasn't honestly. I wanted a cushy, easy life, and was waiting for things to be simple and easy before I started dreaming again. And I realized that is NEVER going to happen. I am going to HAVE to dream and jump off the ledge if I want to accomplish my dreams. So I just want to encourage you today- Where has God been nudging you to take a leap of faith that you've been quietly ignoring, or waiting for a "better time"? Can I challenge you today? Make a big ask. Tell God your hopes dreams. Ask Him to show you how his plans play into some of those hopes and desires. Be willing to make a Big Ask and ask God to close the doors that are needed to lead you where you need to be. It will be hard, scary, draining and probably awful. But you will not regret the end result- I promise. I am calm, feel secure, and excited even in the face of unemployment simply because of what my pastor reminded us all of on Sunday: I am no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God. And God calls me to a life of freedom, joy, and adventure THROUGH Him. And so because of that fact alone, I am taking these leaps of faith, and daring to believe that God is good, He will come through, and I will accomplish His plans for me, one step at a time.