Jennie Allen convinced me that I had to attend my first ever IF: Gathering in February.
“You just have to be there,” she persisted. “I just know it.”
One of Jennie’s many giftings is that she’s a persuasive force to be reckoned with. When Jennie knows something deep in her bones, you know it, too. You can’t help it.
“I’ll think. I’ll pray. I’ll consider,” I promised.
Other invitations and opportunities loomed large. Yet in the quiet of my gut, I sensed the nudge that IF was a way of God asking me to trust, to make a significant sacrifice, to lunge forward in faith.
I joined 1200 women in a beautiful auditorium all asking God, “What IF?” The answer came in the most unexpected way.
If you’re unfamiliar with the IF: Gathering, it’s born out of the heartbeat of Jennie. She oozes love of Jesus and a passion for our generation to connect to God. It’s clear she’s handpicked to lead this movement of women and it’s breathtaking to watch.
The worship was breathtaking to watch live. The line-up of speakers included everyone from Christine Caine to Jen Hatmaker. Some sessions included more than a dozen speakers. My heart and brain overwhelmed as we walked through the story of Joshua.
I joined Ann Voskamp, Shelley Giglio, Lauren Chandler, Debbie Eaton, and Helen Lee for a time of corporate confession and repentance on the first night. After hearing Shelley’s story, I wept like an infant.
Yet despite all the inspiring talks and interviews, the words pinned in my heart came from a woman who I do not know. A person I’d never met before. A face that’s still a mystery to me.
The attendees emptied out. The stage mostly dismantled. The chairs stacked, carried away.
Walking toward an exit, a woman approached, her aged yet delicate countenance brimming with wisdom and grace. I suspected she’d been in ministry for many years. On staff at a church? A pastor’s wife? A mom who’d spent decades tenderly rearing her kids?
I do not know.
She grabbed my elbow, stared with the most compassionate yet penetrating eyes, and declared:
“I have only one thing to say to you: Stay in the game.”
She turned and walked away.
Time froze. I stood breathless. Her words hung in the air.
Then someone else began chatting. The evening filled with new friends at a local diner, reflecting on this special event—all we heard, learned, discovered.
Yet months later, the four words that have haunted me didn’t come from a well-polished speaker or a famed author.
They came from a stranger.
Stay in the game.
I don’t know about you, but on more days than I want to admit, I want to quit. Turn in my jersey. Shout “Enough.”
Some days I feel…
Overtaxed and overmaxed.
Worn down and beat up.
My body hurts. My bones ache.
Chronic pain takes a heavy toll.
Patience replaced by irritation.
Fervor traded for fatigue.
Maybe you’ve had the exhaustion sink into your bones. Maybe you’ve thought…
Being a momma or poppa is more than you can do today.
Walking into work is more than you can face today.
Serving at the church is more than you can give today.
Being a spouse is more loving than you can be today.
Climbing out of bed is just too much today.
I feel that way, too.
Yet there’s a woman, out there, somewhere, whispering the words of God to you and me:
Stay. In. The. Game.
Don’t hang up your jersey. Don’t throw in the towel. Don’t give up. Don’t give in.
Jesus will see you through.
Jesus will carry you through.
Jesus will even piggy back you through.
If you have grown weary in doing good, know you are not alone.
“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closet to us in the community of faith.” —Galatians 6:9-10
Jesus wants to speak life into your dry, achy bones.
Hope into the ache of your soul.
Peace into the cracks of your heart.
Life into the depths of your spirit.
Stay in the game, my friend. STAY. IN. THE. GAME.
And together, we will ask God, “What IF?”
A reader wrote and record this song after reading this blog post. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did:
Margaret,
I agree with your mystery woman – stay in the game unless God turns you aside.
How would I start my day without your wise words? How would I meet other women of Faith?
Praying for you today to hear God and if He says, “stay in the game” – obey Him.
Many blessings,
Janis
Hug to you, Janis.
WHOA. What a great word. As always, thanks good friend.
<3
You’ve been in my head again.
Thank you for this. I really needed to hear it. I’m not sure I’m ready to receive it yet, but I needed to hear it.
“Staying in the game” feels like something that should encourage my heart and give me the extra push I need to go forward, but for some reason, staying in the game currently feels like more energy than I have left and more heartache than I can handle. I am on a pastoral team and have served faithfully for 7 years, but recently my journey feels incredibly discouraging, taxing, and I’m quickly moving to hopelessness. I’ve been wrestling with doubts, and feeling faithless in moments. I have never been one to pretend or to fake my way through anything. I’m known for quite the opposite, being willing to be vulnerable and transparent about my struggles. However the past few weeks there has been a painted smile on my face as I attempt to drag myself into work. I am hurting, discouraged, and feeling like all the things I thought I was “called” to were purely pipe dreams, nothing more. I’m trying to stay in the game, but currently, giving up seems more enticing. I will stop rambling now and head back to work. 🙂 thanks for using your own story to encourage others.
Sunny I love your realness and vulnerability. There is nothing harder than being in ministry and pouring yourself out day after day. I pray today in the mighty name of Jesus that there are Aaron’s holding your arms up as you minister and pour into people. I pray that as you work today angels are dispatched to bring nourishment to your soul. I ask Lord that she feels seen on her journey and that you show her that she is not alone, her time is not wasted and she is making an impact that is eternal. Bring water to her soul PAPA. Thank you for Sunny and her gifting, her surrender, and her willingness to be open about her weariness. AMEN!
Thank you for your encouragement and your prayers Connie. Your words really blessed my heart:)
Sunny, Just because your name is “sunny” doesn’t mean you have to always be cheerful. Let people know you are hurting. You need some prayer partners and encouragement. Nobody can do this alone! Seek out some loving Jesus sisters. God is blessing you today!
Sunny, praying for you.
I so needed this word. I’ll probably need it today and tomorrow, too. My youngest sister just died very suddenly and tragically. I’m sad and tired.
I will try. Try to “stay in the game” and know that you’ll be doing the same. Much love and continued prayers.
LYI, sister. xo
Oh Melinda. Heartbroken for you, friend. Praying for you, thinking of you, you are so loved.
Oh, how I needed this, Margaret. Thank you and love to you.
Sweet Sandra, rooting for you.
Some God-gifted souls just get Ecc. 5:2 don’t they? Just a few words, but powerful. Thank you so much for sharing the encouragement Margaret. You show and tell us what it means to stay in the game and we are blessed. God is glorified. Thank you.
Hug to you, Dea.
Wow! I repeat, “Yes stay in the game!” As my minister told me, “God healed you for a reason. He wants you to do something.” We both are in this having survived a cancer battle (3 for me). I hope this gathering was a comfort and healing to your soul. God is blessing you, Margaret.
Rejoicing with you, Janet.
Thanks for sharing, I teared up. What a timely word. For me though it has been the opposite, I’ve been persevering through the waiting wondering why God had me on the sidelines. Now He is slowing letting me back in the game. Yet I remember the feelings of wanting to give in to the fatigue, but something inside just wouldn’t let me. Some call it drive, I call it Holy Spirit unction. I love having you on our team – Stay In the game!
Felicia, cheering for you, friend.
Yes, “stay in the game”. Words that make me think about various situations in my life. I needed to read this message today. Thank you, Margaret. You are a blessing! 🙂 Hugs!
Huge hug, Melissa.
Whew! I feel better already! “STAY. IN. THE. GAME.” 4 Powerful words. I am going to encourage others to “Stay In The Game!” I cry a lot sometimes, just lonely, betrayed by a man that I loved so deeply. But, on every turn, there are millions of women going through the same thing. Oh, but when I count my blessings and look at other womens ” Red Sea Moments ” very difficult moments, mine are nothing. I am 69, retired, wanting to get back into the work force. You see, I have never lost a child to sickness, cancer, car accidents, kidnappings or murder. One thing about my “little ole trail” is that GOD always sends me comfort. I slop around in it for a while, but I always come to my senses. My trails and tribulations has drawn me closer to GOD. We have to get to know GOD, through his written word. You see, had I know the verse in the Bible that says, “let no man deceive you with EMPTY words, I would not be going through this particular trail. I feel one is never too old to learn. Life is about learning. I want to “Stay In The Game so that I may encourage others.
Gail, thank you for clinging to Christ through it all.
God’s timing! I recently shared in our #fightbackwithjoy group that I have been knocked down so often lately that I am feeling ready to just stay down until the storm was over! Thanks for sharing!
Lucy, I know that feeling all too well. Lifting you in prayer today, friend.
Thank you. Tears streaming down my cheeks. Needed to hear that today, one of those days when it just feels too hard.
Lisa– Praying. Standing with you. Huge hug.
I don’t know how this ended up in my news feed, but I needed it. Stay in the game. And, as my dad says, don’t forget there are a lot of at-bats.
AMEN!
Oh dear precious friend. You have such fight in you and yet you are so terribly humble and peaceful. That can only be the Spirit- such extremes that do not belong together but yet perfectly exist in and through you.
I cannot imagine IF or life without you. Thank you for these words- they blessed me today. Fighting with you- for you- beside you- all of it!! Love you.
Friend, thank you for challenging me to love people and Jesus more. You are such a gift to me.
Thank you, dear friend. Tim has been away for 4 days, we had both the inspection and appraisal on our house while he was gone, I have been mothering my crazies alone, there are things I want to do and need to do, but I need a break. I’m giving it to myself, but I needed to hear the encouragement that even though I’m tired I still have something to offer. Somehow, even though you didn’t say it, these words said that.
Thanks. <3
Leah, praying for you and Tim as you pile on the to-dos in the weeks ahead. Huge hug.
Margaret, thank you for sharing again! I need these words too…often. And the reminder that “staying in the game” really is about letting Him carry me, empower me, grace me with whatever is needed (and sometimes that need is rest) and the absolute, without a doubt, you-can-bet-your-life-on-it truth that He has a plan and a purpose, that He is working it all out (and in fact already has — I just haven’t seen it yet with my eyes) for His glory and our good and that He IS at work in me with a power that is greater than I can imagine (and sometimes with my failures and weaknesses I can’t even begin to imagine…and my faith is smaller than small…but that doesn’t change the truth of it.)
Yes, dear lady — “hangest thou in there”….He’s holding you!
Thank you, sweet Debbie.
Hi Margaret! My daughter, Tami, linked to this post so I came here to read. how fitting since I finished your “Joy” book last night. Thank you so much for sharing your story/your heart in the book. I cried with you at times. I laughed with you at times. I smirked a few times as I read. As a pastor I have seen all sorts of reactions to cancer and other diseases. Your book gives me another side to consider and share.
Bill– your comment brought a huge smile to my face. Thanks for stopping by.
Marrrrrgaret!!!!!!! I needed this today!!! Girlfriend… Let me tell ya!!!! Your 5 ft Cajun friend has been worn out lady lately!!! Especially as a women’s ministry director. The whole 20/80 rule is in full effect at my church.
Can I wuote you in this blog for next weeks message?!! It’s Baptist Women’s day and I am speaking!!!!
Love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!!!
I can’t even say what this post meant to me today. Tears as I read your words – lifting my heart! I almost missed your blog entry, initially shared by a friend and that as I was so busy I skipped over. Something brought me back to that sharing today and I thank the Lord for it! You have brightened my day and my outlook! Thank You!
Sharon, huge hug to you, fellow warrior. Stay.In.The.Game.
Hi Margaret!
It’s been over 8 months since you’ve written this post. Words I had never read before tonight, yet words I desperately needed to hear during this specific season of my life and my ministry.
When you run a ministry with a goal of reaching a million moms for Christ, you’re not supposed to say you’re ready to quit. You’re not even supposed to think it. How could I? It’s been my calling and my passion for years. Still is.
But I’m tired and it’s just where I am right now. Feeling ready to just give up the whole running a ministry thing. So I did what every faithful Christian does, I googled, “What to do when you just want to quit” and found this post.
And I read this… STAY. IN. THE. GAME.
So, thank you, sister for your faithfulness to write what God placed on your heart – and the words whispered by some sweet saint who God placed on your path were words I needed to hear tonight.
And tomorrow I’ll jump right back into the game encouraged to keep on keepin’ on for Jesus. Pressing toward the mark knowing that Jesus is not only everything I need… He’s all I need. And ultimately, I can’t get over the fact that He allows us to get in on what He is doing on this planet.
Thank you again Margaret! May you see God do exceedingly, abundantly above all you could think or ask in 2016. (He’s really good at that!)
I came to your website today after starting Wonderstruck last night. I’m facing a likely diagnosis of MS and both your book and this blog post are giving me the inspiration and encouragement to keep going – not just physically, but with the ministry I started, the mothering, the friending, the spousing and just about everything else that feels heavy today. So glad to “meet” you – Divine timing. God is so good.