Guest Post: The Choice was Mine… by TC Avey

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While I’m away in Guatemala, several people have stepped up to share their stretching stories with The Stretched Community.  Today, I have the honor and privilege of presenting TC Avey.  TC blogs regularly at Wisdom of a Fool, and she has recently become a regular commenter here on the Stretched blog.  Please check out TC’s post and leave an answer to her question.  Afterwards, go check out her blog.  Her contact information along with a short bio can be found at the end of the post.  Thanks!

The Choice was Mine…

I hadn’t been out of High School long when reality set in – not everyone was tolerant of Christians.

Let’s go back to the 90’s.

I was 19 and a Freshman in College on full academic scholarship.

I had to maintain a high GPA or I would be forced to take out huge college loans (something I really didn’t want to do – but then again, who does?).

Things were going well.  My classes were easy and I had no fear of NOT maintaining my GPA, until…

A professor challenged my resources for a speech.

I was trapped.

I had used the Bible as reference (I mean how can you argue Christianity is a major world religion without referencing the Bible?).

She informed me I could do my speech on Christianity, she had no problem with that. She simply did not feel the Bible was a credible resource.  If I insisted upon using it – I would fail.

I was floored.

How was I to proceed?

I could change religions – a few others in the class did. I could opt to use books from theologians and ignore the foundation of Christianity being built upon the Bible – a few of the more devoted Christians were going this route.

Or I could stick with my original speech – founded upon the Bible.

I could choose to fail.

The choice was mine.

I thought about dropping the class, but I didn’t want to chicken out.

I thought about Peter denying Jesus three times. But I didn’t want to experience the guilt. True Jesus forgave him and would forgive me too…but He shouldn’t have to.

Besides, I couldn’t avoid confrontations my entire life. I was an adult. It was time to start acting like one.

I had a tough choice to make.  No one could make it for me.

Though stuck between a rock and hard place, I knew what I had to do.

I knew what I was going to do!

I would proceed as planned and deal with the consequences.

I would stand firm in my faith. I would defend my belief and I would use the Bible as a reference.

Yet despite my conviction, I was nervous.

In the back of my mind I kept assuring myself she couldn’t really flunk me. I was sure it was an empty threat.

Just in case I was wrong, I looked up the numbers to many of the administrative staff. I was going to take this higher up if she did fail me. I wouldn’t go down without a fight!

I also spent hours praying, asking God to help me.

In the end, my worry was for nothing, God did help me.

While she wasn’t thrilled with my blatant disregard for her instructions, she didn’t fail me.

She didn’t even give me a horrible grade!

Looking back, I can’t even remember her giving me a hard time the rest of the semester.

If memory serves me correctly, our lives went on as normal.

She was the professor. I was the student.

End of Story.

Except I learned standing for my faith isn’t as hard as it first looked. I also learned the truth and power of 1 John 4:4 NIV, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

That speech class, and professor, taught me way more than the syllabus promised!

Praise God!

How has standing up for something related to your faith stretched you?

About the Author

TC Avey is a Christian blogger. She is an aspiring Author, avid reader, lover of history and enjoys politics.  She has a passion for God and America.  Her blog Wisdom of a Fool is dedicated to enlightening others about today’s current events from a Christian perspective. She also has a Monday series on “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  She offers a monthly Newsletter.  You can also follow her on Twitter.

Related posts:

  1. Back To The Basics – Guest Post From Joe Lalonde
  2. Stretching To A New Focus – Guest Post by Leah Adams
  3. Our Behavior Is Our Witness – Guest Post by Kevin Stone
  4. Top Posts of 2011 Number 5 – Detours – A Guest Post by Leanne Stolpe
  5. Guest Post: Living the Lessons by Eileen Knowles
  • http://www.leahadams.org/ Leah Adams

    Great post!! STanding up for our faith will definitely stretch us. Recently the Lord has led me to write about some controversial subjects…gay marriage, living together, illegal aliens, etc . Because of one of these posts, I have now received my first piece of hate mail…..anonymous of course. I rejoice that Satan feels I am enough of a threat to have to pull out the hate mail.

    • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

       Great attitude- Praise God Leah you are counted worthy of adversity!
      It is encouraging to hear people are standing for what God says is right. It’s not always easy to stand in the face of opposition. Thank you for standing- those are tough topics- even for people inside the Church.
      Keep putting on the Armor of God, praying and listening to God and keeping your eyes focused on HIS Kingdome and not the hate.
      God bless you and your ministry!

      • http://www.leahadams.org/ Leah Adams

        TC, I am looking forward to checking out more of your writing. God bless you.

    • http://www.tnealtarver.wordpress.com TNeal

       Leah, welcome to Dan Cathy’s world. I’m sure receiving hate mail isn’t a pleasure but you’re keeping the proper perspective. It stands as a badge of faith and a sign of standing your ground based on your commitment to Jesus Christ.

      • http://www.leahadams.org/ Leah Adams

        Thanks, TNeal. It is amazing to me how hateful people can be. We are pretty sure this is someone from our church. I really feel sorry for anyone who has to stoop to those levels.

        • http://www.tnealtarver.wordpress.com TNeal

          The sad truth is how often people in the church do two things. They speak unkind words. They hide behind a mask of anonymity (glad I only have to write that last word and not say it). I’m sorry to read how you have to deal with that situation. It’s one thing to be blasted by an ungodly world. It’s another to be treated poorly by a family member.

          • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

             Very true TNeal. Sad that satan is in our churches as well as the world. It can make standing even harder.

  • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

    Awesome TC. I know it can be hard to stand up for what we believe but it’s essential for our faith. Thanks for sharing your encouraging story. 

    • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

       I would like to say that after that situation I was able to stand firm all the time, but sometimes I haven’t recognized the need.
      I think sometimes it’s easier to stand when it’s clear cut like that.
      Often the enemy isn’t so bold. Often he hides in the shadows of truth, gradually persuading us that something is okay- wouldn’t you agree? 

      • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

        You got that right. It’s the little half truths that push us over the edge.

  • http://www.tnealtarver.wordpress.com TNeal

    Thanks for sharing your story, TC.  For me, the most challenging place to surrender (rather than stand up) is when God’s desires and mine clash. I’ve been stretched more in that department lately but I know it also prepares me to stand my ground in Christ when challenged. You faced a tough decision. Well done back then and well done today.

    • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

       Thanks TNeal.
      I’ve experienced clashes with God a time or two (or more) like that as well. You’re right, they help prepare you as you learn to walk in His will. 
      Surrender doesn’t come naturally and it isn’t always easy. It takes the grace of God along with His strength to learn to follow after Him.
      What have you found helps you let go?

      • http://www.tnealtarver.wordpress.com TNeal

         TC, I’m a half day or more behind on emails lately. In short, two things help me correct my course–Scripture and the fellowship of believers. One exposes me to God’s ways. The other offers me a place to practice His ways or to see His ways in practice.

        • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

          I’m usually a few steps behind myself :)

          Wonderful balance! I recently heard a speaker say that he tried to surround himself with “healthy Christians”. I think that is important. Not that we should be separate from the world, but that we have a group of like minded Christians to fellowship with.

          • http://www.tnealtarver.wordpress.com TNeal

             Hey, I’m not a day behind on this response. “Healthy Christians” is an excellent description of the type of people I’m talking about–not perfect, but healthy. I examine the traits of a healthy community today at A Curious Band of Others. With your comment and my observations at Curious, I have a clear idea of where to focus and who to look for.

          • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

            I love how God works in us and through us. I love it when I read other blogs and can see God telling them many of the things He is telling me. It’s awesome!
            I can hear God calling His churches to wake up, to speak up and to clean up.

  • http://theoldadam.com/ Steve Martin

    Thanks be to God that it worked our for you.

    I guess it could have been a very different outcome.

    • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

       No kidding Steve!
      I think my nativity helped me in this situation. If I knew then what I knew now, I’m not sure I would have been able to stand. Sadly I think many adults “rationalize” our actions instead of walk in faith. Do you agree?

  • floyd

    When we take that stand for Truth the enemy high tails it! Good for you for standing strong. That was the foundation God used to build your life. Thanks for the encouraging story!

    • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

       There is power when we stand in Christ. We must all remember that Greater is He in us than he who is in the world.
      I wish I could tell you I’ve always stood so strong, but sadly I haven’t.
      I think I need this encouragement as much as anyone- a good reminder that God has never left my side.

  • http://www.lincolnparks.com Lincoln Parks

    Awesome, Awesome, Awesome. This post screams faith and commitment. You could have backed out like everyone else, but you stood firm to your faith and delivered what God wanted you to do. Imagine if you hadn’t? This is an example of not denying him and showing him that you are a faithful servant. TC, what a great example to show. Thank you.

    • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

       Lincoln,
      I feel unworthy of your kind words. And yet I thank you and thank God for allowing me to part of His kingdom building.

      Lately God has been opening my eyes to the complete picture of people in the Bible. I used to just look at their great faith, their heroic acts and gloss over their mistakes. But lately God has been showing me example after example of the mistakes all His devoted followers made. He is making them real to me. Showing me that He is able to use any of us.
      So often satan likes to remind me of my failures.
      I honestly didn’t want to write this, but I felt I should even though I felt like a hypocrite for all the times I have denied Him or disobeyed.
      I thought perhaps God wanted to speak to someone through it, so I was obedient and wrote it.
      Now I know, He was also speaking to me. I can’t let satan beat me up over all my failures. God uses us all. Sometimes we allow Him to shine through and we have victories. But other times, we chicken out.

      We are human and God loves us! I’m so thankful for being allowed to do this guest post. It has taught me about the depth of love God had for us all.

      • http://www.lincolnparks.com Lincoln Parks

        TC, those mistakes or things that happened in our past are just that, the past. I always have to remind myself also that God forgives and its wiped away. Only the Devil tries to make us relive this all over and over again. 

        I guess when you don’t want to write something you should because it shows your transparency and shows anyone has doubts, fears, and make mistakes and question God even. I thank you for writing it and I’m sure this message helped more than just me. Thanks!

        • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TCAvey

          Thanks Lincoln. I’m so glad God forgives. I’m also glad for fellowship in the Body of Christ to help build each other up.
          Thank you.

  • http://intentionaltoday.com/ Ngina Otiende

    great encouraging story Tc! wow.