How The Ridge Has Helped Me Do Whatever It Takes

Since my family of four moved back to Columbus, we have really enjoyed being closer to our friends and family. They have been a huge help to us as we’ve been trying to get Katie healthy. We’ve been grateful for everything people have done and are doing to support us during this time.

When we moved back to the area, we had to make a difficult decision about where we were going to attend church. Our faith is central to our family and there are so many great churches in the Columbus area. After praying about where we should go, we decided to start attending The Ridge on the east side of Columbus.

I have a ton of respect for The Ridge and their leadership. I’ve seen behind the scenes of how they make easy and difficult decisions, I completed my first ministry internship with them, and have had the opportunity to be a regular guest speaker there for the past few years. We also have several friends who attend The Ridge and our boys have a great time during the service in their classes.

A key phrase that you will hear around The Ridge when they communicate their goal as a church is: “We will do whatever it takes to reach our community for Christ.”

I’ve always connected with this mission statement. Maybe it’s because I was the crazy baseball player in high school and college who came home from practice or games each night with bloody elbows or knees from diving for balls or sliding headfirst into bases. Or maybe I love this goal because while I’ve never been the smartest when it comes to anything, I will literally stay up all night to study or finish a project. Honestly, I probably love this mission statement because I feel like God did whatever it took to reach me when I wanted to give up on Christianity.

Some people don’t like to hear that a minister has doubts, wants to give up, or is confused by the way life happens. But I’ve had my doubts about how God can can say He’s working everything for our good when it feels so bad. I’ve wanted to give up on little things and life-long commitments because I’ve been so overwhelmed or discouraged. More than anything, I’ve been confused before and asked God, “What are you trying to do/teach us/(insert 57 other questions)?”

About a month ago, I had an opportunity to use The Ridge’s mission statement in my every day life. I decided that after looking for a job for awhile and attempting a few qualification tests for different positions, I just needed to do whatever it took to provide some income for our family right now. And… that was hard for me.

Doing whatever it takes meant driving to my friend’s business and saying, “Brent, is your offer still good? Can I come work for you at Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt until I figure something out?” It was really hard for me to do that. It was probably a pride thing. Ok, it was definitely a pride thing. While I’ve always been a fan of Froyo, most of the workers in my position are just getting their first job or entering high school.

The hardest part about doing whatever it takes is letting go of your pride. It means not getting mad and snapping back when a friend says, “It’s gotta be weird for someone who has always been a minister to be serving frozen yogurt now.” It means you just keep walking and remember why you’re serving frozen yogurt. While I’m not on a stage speaking every Sunday, I’m ministering to my family each day. They need me the most.

The hardest part about doing whatever it takes is admitting that you can’t do life on your own. It means asking people to pray for you on Facebook when I’d much rather keep it all inside and try not to take up space in your newsfeed with my problems or predicaments. It means letting people care for us when I’d much rather be the one trying to bless someone else.

The hardest part about doing whatever it takes is understanding that Jesus was the first one to show us all how to do this. When people tried to make him a boss, he became a servant. When communities tried to make him a celebrity, he went away to secluded places. When a nation wanted him to become a king, he let himself be arrested and sentenced to death.

Sometimes it seems backwards to do whatever it takes, but maybe God wants to see if people who call themselves Christians are willing to be more like Christ? To lose their pride and do things that feel uncomfortable. To admit they need help from others. To realize all good things come from God, not our genius ideas.

For me, doing whatever it takes means slinging frozen yogurt at Orange Leaf right now. Until that changes, I’m grateful for a friend who has helped me find a way to earn some income for our family. I’m also thankful for a church that is all about doing whatever it takes.