Rachel S.

Today, Rachel shares with us thoughts on encouraging creation over consumption, the tradition that has inspired her and taught her about dedication, and remembering that our purpose is beyond our imagination.

Rachel S.

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

This verse is so powerful in reminding me that my life was created for purpose and that I am meant to live out my life for Jesus. This verse is a basis of the ministry I began (Bold & Beloved), and I actually have a bracelet I wear daily, with this verse engraved on it as a reminder that I was created for purpose beyond my own imagination!

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: Finding, obeying, and walking in God’s call.

Profession: Non-profit director.

A one sentence bio of yourself: A small town, Jesus-loving girl that believes God’s plans are bigger than the ones she could dream up for herself.

When did you first encounter God and how did you encounter Him? I grew up in a Christian home, so I was taught from a young age about God and the Bible, but I discovered my own personal relationship and faith in God in a later season of life, in high school, when I realized knowing God was different than just knowing about God. When I began reading and studying the Bible, praying, and searching to know more of who God was, I found true relationship with God.

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? I’ve been going through a season where I’m learning to trust God with blind trust. There are a lot of ‘I don’t knows’ and ‘I don’t understands’ happening in my life recently, and I’ve been learning to have a joyful, peaceful heart regardless of the craziness. What’s been helping me a lot has been focusing on making my whole day full of Jesus, instead of just my morning devotion time. I’ve been playing worship music in my house, my car, or while I’m working just to keep me centered on Jesus throughout the day and not getting caught up in my thoughts, questioning, or worrying. This has really helped me bring joy, peace, and Jesus into every day, all day!

“What’s been helping me a lot has been focusing on making my whole day full of Jesus, instead of just my morning devotion time.”

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): I’m currently reading H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick, and it is teaching me so many important truths about leadership, goals, and self discovery. I’m learning to be a good leader, I have to take time to invest in myself and allow myself to be lead as well. So many good tips and words of truth in this book!

Top three essentials: Bible (to keep me centered), sticky notes (to keep me sane), chocolate chips (the happiest part of my every day).

How did God speak to you recently? Recently, I felt God calling me to reaching out to more women and girls around my age to share resources, personal lessons I’m learning, and just connect over knowing we don’t have it all figured out – but we can still live our lives out for God. After a lot of prayer and a little bit of fear on my part, I connected with my friend Sadie and stepped out in faith to start a women’s ministry called Bold & Beloved. This ministry has allowed both Sadie and I to live out our passion and purpose, and provide other girls the resources, opportunities, and also just relatable truths to help them on the path of living out their passion and purpose, too!

Hobby: A few things I love include: hand lettering, making music, baking, filling out my planner, and long runs

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: 1. Consistency – spending time with God every single day (even when you don’t feel like it); 2. Self-reflection time – taking time to really think about who you are, what you want, what things you’re doing and how those things line up with what God has for you. I try to self-reflect weekly and monthly, to reset the parts of me I’ve let slip into patterns that aren’t good! Over on Bold & Beloved, we have a free one week guide with awesome tools to help do this! 3. Good support systems – surrounding yourself with people who love you and love Jesus and will help you to follow Jesus and make good decisions every day.

Favorite person in scripture? This is an ever changing choice but currently, Abraham. He was a normal man that God chose to do extraordinary things. He followed God’s call without question even when it didn’t make sense, even when it was hard, and even when others were in opposition to it.

“He followed God’s call without question even when it didn’t make sense, even when it was hard, and even when others were in opposition to it.”

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? I want people to learn that there’s more to live for– that our lives aren’t about us but that God created us to do awesome things for Him, and when we agree to let Him do those awesome things through us (by letting go of control), even more awesome things happen in our life than we could imagine!

Favorite season? I can’t pick just one, so here’s a favorite thing about each season! I love rain storms in spring, warm sun on my skin in summer, being curled up cozy with a blanket in winter, and watching the leaves change in fall.

Favorite holiday? I’ve always loved Valentine’s day it’s a day all about celebrating love – anyone and everyone you love – and I love to love!

A dream you have? To start a movement of girls who are confident in themselves, living on purpose and with passion, and going after God-sized goals.

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: Each year, growing up, we would help my dad garden, some years planting potatoes, growing tomatoes, or picking blueberries and strawberries off of bushes. Then, we would make something out of what we grew– tomato sauce, jam, sometimes even French fries! This tradition helped me learn a lot about hard work, seeing (and tasting) the product of what you invest in, and dedication and care. Each year, I still love when we make tomato sauce, jam, or whatever else we cook up!

“This tradition helped me learn a lot about hard work, seeing (and tasting) the product of what you invest in, and dedication and care.”

Question you will ask when you get to heaven? I think I’ll be in too much awe to even think of anything to say and trust me, it’s hard to find me at a loss for words!

Thing you want to raise awareness about: This world is not about us – there’s so much more worth living for! There are orphans, and widows, and people without homes, and people who are sick and that are sad and lonely. We need to stop worrying about the next best thing we can do for ourselves and start working toward the next best thing we can do for someone else. Imagine what the world would be like if each day every one of us asked, “How can I live more like Jesus today?”

“Imagine what the world would be like if each day every one of us asked, ‘How can I live more like Jesus today?'”

What do you usually do before 9 a.m.? I like to wake up early around 5:30 and spend some quiet time with God (I like how quiet it is outside early in the morning), then I normally will go for a run or do some sort of exercise, get ready for the day, have a cup of tea, and get started on figuring out what I need to do for the day.

What is on your nightstand? No nightstand next to my bed – just a piano! I’ve been trying to focus more on forming my spaces to encourage creation over consumption (stole this idea from Jefferson Bethke).

“I’ve been trying to focus more on forming my spaces to encourage creation over consumption”

Define Christianity in a sentence: Life without limits because of a God with unlimited grace.

For more Rachel:

Website: www.theboldandbeloved.com

Personal Instagram: @rachelspack

Ministry Instagram: @boldandbeloved

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XOXO