From NYC to ATL: The Beginning Of My Faith Walk

 Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him" 

Growing up in church, I heard the word "faith"  my entire life but didn't get really grasp the concept of what that word in action meant until 2 years ago, when I was 23. The dictionary in my study Bible defines Faith as "reliance, loyalty, or complete trust in God." Through this post I want to give you a glimpse of what walking by faith has been like for me, by sharing with you a glimpse of my life over the past couple of years. In hopes that you too will trust God and go wherever He may be telling you to go and do whatever He may be telling you to do. 
 

It's been almost 1.5 years since I made one of the biggest decisions that I have ever made in my life, besides choosing to give my life to Christ. I stepped out on faith, leaving everything that was familiar, and moved 800+ miles away from my life in New York City to Atlanta, GA. If you are like most people you may ask why? The only answer I can give is that I fully believed that's what God was telling me to do. It made zero sense to me at the time, but one thing my pastor, Cornelius Lindsey, always says is that "If it makes sense, then it doesn't require faith."

My senior year in college

In order to help you understand my story I'll give you a little background. I grew up in Baltimore, MD and was home schooled until the 10th grade when I auditioned for and was accepted into a very well-known performing arts high school called the Baltimore School for the Arts. I was a dance major there, so when it came time to decide what my college major would be, it was obvious that I would continue to major in dance. I auditioned and was accepted into Fordham University's BFA program, in conjunction with the prestigious Ailey School, and moved to NYC in the fall of 2007 to

My senior year in college

begin my studies and training.  I had so many wonderful opportunities to perform and work with many amazing choreographers and talented dancers. After 4 intense years, I graduated in 2011 and began to take the necessary steps to truly live out my childhood dream of being a full-time professional dancer, which meant AUDITIONING like crazy for anything and everything! I thought I was so lucky to be in NYC, the place that almost every dancer in the world dreams of pursuing their career in. My goal was to travel the world with a dance company and eventually see myself in magazines and on billboards. I mean God had gifted me with this talent so of course He wanted the world to see it, right?  This had been my dream FOREVER so it must have been God's Will for my life. Well...Not quite.

From day 1 of me living in NYC, I always had this feeling that I wouldn't be in NYC forever, that it was just for a season. Fast forward to the fall of 2012 and God started stripping me of the sin that I had attached myself to and everything and everyone that I was comfortable with. He began showing me how unhappy I was in NYC and how it just wasn't the place for me to be anymore. That the reason I was feeling trapped, lonely, and dissatisfied with my life was because I was doing my own thing and failing miserably. My relationship with God was suffering majorly because I had allowed dance to become a full-blown idol in my life. I was trying so hard to be a professional dancer and not once did I sit down and take time to see if this was the path that God wanted me to walk on. Instead I would pray and ask God, before my auditions, to help me get the job and then sometimes get upset at Him when I was cut. Now I'm not one to quit so I was persistent in making that dream of mine a reality. I would get offers for part-time projects here and there but nothing that was full-time. Everyone around me kept telling me that "my turn" was coming soon and that God was about to open up doors for me. I would even put the logos of the companies I was auditioning for on the background of my phone and laptop, as reminders to speak what I wanted into existence (clearly that doesn't work). I kept telling myself that everything happens for a reason and that quitting was not an option. Then one day I couldn't deal with the rejection any longer enough and as I sat quietly before The Lord, He began to show me that it was Him closing the doors and it was time to start doing things His way. Somewhere along the way I had lost my fear of the Lord, gotten comfortable, and turned Him into my "genie in a bottle." Once I had this revelation I decided that it was time to begin seeking God's purpose for my life, even if that meant giving up dance altogether. 

On October 15, 2012,  I was sitting outside in Morningside Park having quiet time with God. While I was writing in my journal, praying, and seeking His purpose and direction for my life,  He spoke to me saying that I would be moving from NYC in the near future. That He was calling me to go elsewhere soon. That I would do great things in His name. He actually didn't want me to give up dance but wanted me to use it to reach children by eventually starting a school where they could learn about dance and Him. Instead of dancing for myself and the world, He wanted me to dance for Him alone. I still remember how much joy I had that day when I finally realized that I had a purpose and that God actually wanted to use me to advance His Kingdom!!! From that moment forward I

My students at NPAA!

switched my focus from trying to be on the stage as a dancer and began to put more of my focus on being in the classroom teaching the next generation of dancers. I stopped going to auditions and God began to open up so many doors for me to work as a teacher and be a light in various studios all around New York. I stayed in prayer continually seeking the Lord's direction for my life in what I was to do and where I was to go next. My respect and love for Him began to grow more with each passing day. 

A few months later, in December, I was home for the holidays and felt led to write down a few cities, which included Atlanta, that I might want to move to.  Then I asked God that if it was in His Will for me to move to any of those places that He would make it clear. A few days later, after attending church, my parents and I were discussing my life over brunch and I casually mentioned to them that I didn't think I was supposed to be in NYC much longer. That I might move down south and my mom immediately said "why don't you move to Georgia?" I was in shock as she started to tell me stuff that I had only discussed with God, dreams and plans that I believed He was calling me to do in a few years. So I went to God that night, and He further confirmed that He wanted

The Gathering Oasis Church's 1st Service

me to move to ATL and to attend the Gathering Oasis Church that Cornelius and Heather Lindsey were starting in January of 2013. I had been listening to Cornelius preach every Sunday night via telechurch and had known Heather, when she was single and living in NYC, but hadn't talked to her in years. I thought to myself, this is crazy, but Lord I want to be obedient to You no matter how foolish I may seem to this world. I wanted my relationship with Him to grow and to be free from the bondage of people's opinions. I wanted to take risks and have faith like Abraham. I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and learn to be fully dependent on the Lord. It was also at this time that I started to have night terrors and the enemy began whispering ugly lies into my heart about how I wasn't going to have friends anymore, that God wouldn't tell me to do something like that, that I was going to be a failure, and a bunch of other nonsense. I was constantly fasting and praying in attempt to block out his voice and hear the voice of God more clearly. That next month I was able to travel to Atlanta to attend the Pinky Promise Conference and the first service of The Gathering Oasis Church! While in Atlanta I was blown away by the confirmation that I received from God during those few days!!! By the time I got back to NYC, I was super excited and ready to move right away but it wasn't God's timing yet and I needed to be patient. Though He had given me a vision of the promise, there were still tests and trials that I needed to go through and people in NYC that I still needed to reach, for a season. I had to let the Lord prepare me for the work that He would be calling me to do in Atlanta, which I had no clue about at the time.   

Fast forward to May and as my 24th birthday approached, I begin packing to leave NYC. I didn't have a car or a job yet, in Atlanta, but felt God really pushing me to leave New York. I had some prospects for jobs but nothing was concrete, which made me extremely nervous. Throughout the previous 6 months, God had started closing doors and breaking ties with the people that I had become close with over the past 6 years. I had to quit jobs, find a sublet for my apartment, and say goodbye to my sister. At the same time though, God began to give me more opportunities to work, which helped fund my move and a few bills that would have been due that month were miraculously pushed back to June. My parents came and got me from NYC and I spent a week in Baltimore during which people around me began to question what seemed like my every move. Why was I moving? Where was I going to work? What was I going to do about dance? Why are you going to go to that church? How was I going to get around? The entire time I knew in my heart that God wanted me in Atlanta and Baltimore was a just pit-stop. I spent a lot of that week in prayer and just confused because things weren't going like I thought they would. Fear, doubt, worry, stress, and anxiety began to settle in and I was so close to calling the whole move off. Towards the end of the week, I remember God whispering to me saying, "I will help you find a car and will help you to find a job in Atlanta but you have to trust me with everything in you. Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to potentially look foolish in front of others to follow me? If not, then you aren't ready to move. If yes, then you need to make it a point to be in Atlanta by Tuesday." The choice was up to me. Either I was going to be obedient or I wasn't. God was ready to open up the door for me but I had to knock on it first. I had to go from my knees in prayer to my feet in obedience. Finally, that Friday I woke up and said Lord "If it is in your will for me to move to Georgia please help me to find a safe and reliable car in my price range today." Guess what happened 4 hours later? I had a car with tags, title, insurance, and was able to pay for it in cash!!! *insert praise break* Won't He do it!!! 3 days later, I packed my car up, and with my dad's help, began the long drive to start the next chapter of my life in Atlanta. 

My car :)

From the moment I arrived in Atlanta, it immediately felt like home and God began to open doors for me. After only being here for about 5 hours, I got offered the opportunity to babysit my pastor's son later that week, which I still do now. My uncle allowed me to stay with him for a few months, for free, which was also a welcomed blessing.

Even though I had been obedient to God in moving that didn't mean I was free from problems. After the excitement of being in a new place wore off, I couldn't understand why The Lord had sent me to Georgia. I felt super lonely and purposeless.What made it harder was that I started getting more offers to dance and teach back in NYC. It's like The Lord was breaking and testing me all over again. I couldn't seem to make any friends for the first 2 months I was here so all I did was spend time with God. My family couldn't understand why I put myself in this predicament and it was hard trying to convince them that this was God's will for my life. I got a part-time job but then the Lord told me to quit 2 months after I started, because I wasn't supposed to be there in the first place. I wanted to

Me with Logan

serve, but the Lord kept telling me to rest up for the journey He knew was ahead of me. Money was low and I started to doubt Him and my ability to hear His voice. The enemy was constantly attacking my mind saying that I had missed God and I almost gave up and moved back to Baltimore but The Lord was faithful and kept me through it all. It's in those beginning months that God called me to learn to truly rely on Him and really proved to me that He was all I really needed. It was a super hard season of my life but now I realize that God took me through it so that I could in return encourage others and be a living testimony of His faithfulness.  Since being in Atlanta, God has continued to challenge me to grow and changed my desires in so many areas. My faith in Him has increased tremendously as he continues to put me in situations that seem impossible to overcome. By submitting to His plans and will, He has been able to show me strengths, gifts, talents, and passions I didn't even know I had. When I first said "yes" to God's plan I had no idea what it would consist of, where I would have to go, what the purpose would be, or who I would impact but looking back on the past 1.5 years, I'm literally amazed at all that He has done in me, through me, and for me. I have met so many wonderful people along the journey and gained a church family that is out of this world.  Since I started attending the Gathering Oasis Church, The Lord has called me to start a women's ministry, lead Bible studies for young adult females, and now wok as an administrator. I also got baptized (which had been on my heart for years) and met my best friend, Tiffany (Love you sis <3)

Me and my bestie, Tiffany <3

My life's not perfect, things haven't gone exactly the way I planned, and I still make mistakes but God's grace and mercy carries me through. He continues to make my path straight as I trust in Him with all my heart, and lean not on my own understanding. I'm not by any means an excerpt on how to walk by faith as I'm still learning and growing each and every day. I do know that God is real and He still speaks to those who take the time to listen. That Jesus left us with the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us in all things. This life is not about us and what we can do for ourselves but about serving the awesome, majestic, wonderful, and sovereign Lord and bringing glory to His name. We will all have to stand before God and answer to Him for everything we did, said, or thought while here on this earth!!! 

In a future blog, I will go into more detail about my journey since being in Atlanta but I want to encourage you to seek God's Will for your life, obey immediately, and trust Him. It's so vital that we continually go before God and ask Him "Lord what do you want me to do, where do you want me to go?" Once God does speak to you, don't try to run to man made ideas and formulas to carry out what He asked for you to do. He is fully capable of leading us from point A to point Z but that requires us to completely trust Him, even when it seems impossible. God has plans for your life and your

I finally got to dance for Jesus!

obedience, or lack thereof, doesn't just affect you but those around you as well. Walking by faith is not easy or fun and rarely makes sense, at the time, but remember that His plans are far greater! His ways and thoughts are not your ways and thoughts. We must humble ourselves before God and allow Him to actually lead our lives. Whatever He calls you to, He will certainly see you through it. Don't listen more to the voices and opinions of those around you and allow them to keep you from you being obedient to God. Listen to the voice of the one who created you, God!!! The opposition will come but you must stay focused on the Lord. 

I'm determined to live the life that God wants me to live and to accomplish all that He wants me to accomplish and nothing less because obedience is truly better than sacrifice!! What about you? Will you trust God and submit to His will? There's nothing like knowing you are in the will of God for your life! It's not going to be an easy or problem-free life but the eternal glory will be far greater than anything we could ever imagine!  

 Until next time,

Cierra xoxo

 

P.S. As always feel free to email me at cierracotton@gmail.com and/or follow me on Instagram at lovepeacejoy__1 (that's a double underscore) or on Facebook. God Bless you!!!