Katie's Favorite Bible Verse

What's my favorite bible verse? That's a tough question that is best answered with a story. It goes like this:

Once upon a time, I was fired.

Years ago, in a former life, I worked in the sub-prime mortgage arena.  I was an underwriter. My job was to review loan applications to determine if we would extend credit to clients. I had a habit of pointing out when clients couldn’t afford the mortgage they were applying for. My boss had a habit of literally throwing out income documentation and approving loans based on “stated” (and inflated) income.  You may have heard of these.  A large majority of foreclosures in the market today are as a result of loans just like these.

In the few short months that I worked for this company, I apparently pointed out one too many risky credit decisions we made. I got fired. Not laid off. Not downsized. Fired. 

I have always taken work and integrity very seriously.  Suffice it to say, the experience was devastating for me. (…even when a kind heart in the HR department…probably out of fear of legal action…contacted a head hunter to help me find a new job because I had lost my old one “through no fault of my own.”) 

Sometimes I think God goes out of his way to set the stage when he’s got something important to say. 

In the months leading up to this turning point in my life, two other seasons had begun. One, I had begun seminary part time. And two, I had begun meeting weekly with a friend of mine to pray about my future in ministry while we read and memorized scripture. My favorite at the time was John 10:10, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come to give life and give it abundantly”.

Within two weeks of being fired, a divine series of events led me to an extraordinary new job. I was offered a summer position with Youthworks, a phenomenal youth mission organization.  I accepted without knowing where it would take me. As it turned out, for two life-changing and glorious months, it took me to the beautiful Crow Indian Reservation in Lodge Grass, Montana.

I went from a life of hour-long commutes and high corporate stress to fresh air and Montana big skies. I went from working for “the man” to working for The Man. Full-time ministry. I went from fear to freedom. I went from lost to found.

The words I memorized had come to life for me. That is what happens with words you unleash from scripture. When you commit them to memory, when you meditate on them, and make them your own…there is no telling where the Words of Life will take you.

What is my favorite scripture? The one that is unleashed.