Say What?!? Has someone ever verbalized an idea that caused your mind to desperately sift through the words that you know you heard, yet your mind struggles to pull it all together because it is so profound? That’s exactly what occurred during a Friday chapel service when Katrina Bazzoli shared with the crowd a question she had been asked years previously that rocked her world. “What would you say if you died tomorrow and were standing in front of God, and He said, ‘Why should I let you into Heaven?’” Say What?!? Them’s fightin’ words, Katrina! Entering chapel that morning, I was confident she would be sharing something too profound to miss; however, I was unprepared for the challenge that pierced my heart by her question to us in the room.
To be honest, my main motivation for attending that day was to support and encourage a young woman, whose engaging smile often includes this slight little laugh, as she explained her journey to becoming an author. Planning to cheer on this colleague, my mind was filled with phrases like “You go, girl!” and “I knew you were a writer after that first paper you submitted!”; but my heart was not prepared for her story to cease my note taking as the words “Say, What?!?” scattered across my mind and then through my pen onto the paper. Now, I really was anticipating, in an entirely new way, that Tuesday in April when her book What Would You Say? would magically appear on my Kindle.
For those of you who have been blessed to sit across the table from Katrina engaged in a conversation, you are aware of how pleasant and authentic she is; and you are likely also aware that she is more than willing to have a Courageous and/or Spiritual Conversation with you. And you may be challenged deeply by her words, but without feeling judged or dismissed for asking Big Questions related to life and faith. Katrina allows you to express a Say What?!?, to sit there for a moment with your question, and to journey with you as you navigate how to arrive at an answer.
While reading What Would You Say, you will feel like you are sitting across the table from Katrina engrossed in a conversation as she shares biblical truths we all need to hear. “There is a big difference between wanting the Giver Himself and wanting the good gifts the Giver can give… At the end of this life there are only two options that can happen: First, God can see all your good works, but they will be accompanied by all of your bad as well… Second, God sees Jesus, not you. He doesn’t see the good or bad things that you have done. Instead, God sees Jesus and Jesus alone. So, we have a choice. I encourage you to open both hands and allow Him to have every part of your life—not only the parts that you are okay with letting go of, but also the parts that you are gripping too tightly.”
We are confronted by Katrina to not shape our lives based on Fickle Feelings but on the One who is truth. She encourages us to surrender all parts of our lives to Him, not holding onto those areas that we think we can handle better than God. Her experience is that when she chooses to abide in Jesus, she is accepting or acting in accordance with a decision, she is remaining faithful to, and holding on to, the One who guides our steps. “To abide in Jesus means that we remain faithful to His Word, not our feelings. And as a result, we bear much fruit for His glory. Abiding in Jesus is not something we do once and never have to do it again; instead, it is a daily choice that we must consciously make… Just as picking up our cross is a daily act, so it is with abiding.” Katrina calls us to consider what Everyday Faithfulness looks like for us. “Abiding in Jesus will look different for each of us because our stories are immensely different. Nonetheless, there will be truth that applies to every one of us.”
So, how will answer God’s question, “Why should I let you in?” Perhaps, you feel like uttering a Say What?!? to this inquiry as well; however, I urge you to carefully consider how you will answer this question. Are you allowing the good works you engage in to be your ticket through the door? Or are you abiding in the love of Jesus and allowing His sacrifice to stamp your life as Paid in Full?
References:
Union University. (2022, March 18). Katrina Bazzoli. Residence Director for the Women’s Quads at Union University [Chapel Service]. Retrieved from https://livestream.com/uu/chapel/videos/229988503
Flourishing @ Life 
“Say What?” is a phrase I find myself saying more often than I had realized prior to reading this article. I do think we can oftentimes rely on our “good works” versus how our faith actually plays out. While this question may seem like a punch to the stomach, it really is simple if we rely on God’s word. He promises us that we are covered. The cross shows the payment given, and the resurrection shows payment accepted. We are free from having to plead our case due to this. Perhaps my largest takeaway was in the statements about how Katrina Bazzoli allows those speaking with her to sit in their questions. I should do this more- sit in my questions and wait for the all-knowing one instead of rushing for that instant gratification of an answer I can find on google or some peer- while this may be an answer, it can not compare to the answer I could receive if I sat and waited on the Father.
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