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Ep04 - Early Faith, Deep Roots: Why Seek God Young? ft. Lydia
21 Plays10 months ago
🎙️ Episode 4 is HERE!! And guess what? It’s our very first guest episode! 🙌🔥
I sat down with the amazing Lydia Snider 💫 to talk all about early faith, deep roots, and why seeking God young can transform everything 🌱✝️
From the joys to the challenges of growing up in Christ, Lydia shares her powerful journey and what’s kept her grounded through it all 🙏🏽💭
✨ Whether you’re just starting out or wondering if it’s too early (or too late) to take your faith seriously — this convo’s for you.
🎧 Tune in and feel free to share with someone who needs it 🙏🏽❤️
#GODTalks #Episode4 #FaithEarly #KingdomConvos
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Transcript
Introduction & Theme Setting
00:00:04
Speaker
Welcome to God Talks with Chibs, where faith meets purpose and young voices rise to lead with truth. Let's build, grow, and go deeper in the Word, in life, and in destiny.
00:00:27
Speaker
Okay, welcome everyone to our, this is officially our second guest episode. And today we have Lydia with us.
00:00:38
Speaker
Hi, Lydia. hi How's it going? How are you doing? Not too bad. Not too bad. I'm excited for this episode.
The Journey of Faith Begins
00:00:48
Speaker
um it's an interesting topic and for some reason well I guess and not for some reason it's by the Lord's leading of course but as soon as this topic came to my heart the first person that came to my mind was you so no pressure but I guess the Holy Spirit was trying to direct direct us and say okay there's something special but if you're wondering what this topic is about today we're going to talking about you know
00:01:17
Speaker
why God when you're young, you know, what's why, what's the benefit of serving God when you're young, or kind of just going in that direction. And so Lydia, I'd like you to kind of share with us today. So um I'll kind of get started and just ask, what was your faith journey with the Lord?
00:01:37
Speaker
um How did you start? What was that season like for you? You know, Yeah. um So I think like a lot of people, i was like born and raised in a Christian home.
00:01:50
Speaker
So I kind of always heard about the gospel and about the faith. And so it was never like a new concept to me, but it was something that just like as a child, I genuinely didn't believe in.
00:02:02
Speaker
Like everyone talks about like childlike faith kind of thing. And I just genuinely, i was like, If heaven's real, i get to go there and I'm an awesome person. And if not, I'm still an awesome person.
00:02:15
Speaker
Like, so I should just do good things. Like I had no concept of it whatsoever. um And then what kind of happened was like, as as I guess everyone figures out at some point, you get like a reality check on life.
00:02:30
Speaker
And so when I was eight, um we had a really hard divorce, like my parents did. um And out of that, like I was left with like, my mom wasn't a part of my life for a while or like we saw her sometimes, but it just became like that relationship was um very strange after that.
00:02:51
Speaker
um And yeah, so my family life fell apart. Just my identity kind of started crumbling out of that. um And yeah, that like, I just,
00:03:04
Speaker
essentially my life just started revolving around me and my own joy and my own satisfaction. And so I lived that um way for like, I would say four years of just like trying to be cool.
00:03:18
Speaker
And this is like kind of age eight to like 12-ish.
Struggles and Personal Realizations
00:03:23
Speaker
So um I really didn't have like, what's the words?
00:03:30
Speaker
There wasn't like, a lot of things I could do to go completely off the rails in that time, just because like, I was still in a safe home and all that.
00:03:40
Speaker
So I didn't like start drugs or anything, you know, like it was, so but, um, You couldn't fully rebel the way you'd wanted to. ah I don't know if I even wanted to. It's just like what my heart was.
00:03:57
Speaker
um was like self-pleasing, right? So like, it didn't matter that it wasn't like a rebellion of craziness. But it was just like, in my heart, I had this like, I had pride, first of all, I had like,
00:04:11
Speaker
Also, just like a desire to serve myself and my own, like, gain, if that makes sense. So I remember just wanting to be cool, pretty, you know, like get my crush to like me, you know, like, I think we all go kind of through those things. But um I just, i kept trying to seek those things.
00:04:31
Speaker
And I kept realizing that it actually didn't work that well. um And so I've never been like a very cool, cool person. I think I'm pretty cool. But, um you know, it's it's never been, like, something I could rely on that would make me happy because I still felt, like, left out sometimes in school or different things, right?
00:04:56
Speaker
um And I think that just, like, out of that experience of, like, nothing was going to make me happy, i came to Jesus because I realized there was something more in this.
00:05:08
Speaker
So that kind of... Yeah, um that kind of sparked my faith. I think I was like 12 years old and God started redeeming my life and kind of showing me that I was i loved and I was valuable. um And
00:05:28
Speaker
yeah, just like out of that journey of finding out that he cared about me and he loved me and he started rescuing like my family and we were able to have like good connection um and we like We were rescued from our financial situation.
Experiencing God's Presence
00:05:44
Speaker
My mom was rescued from like the the hard situation she was in as well. And so all this stuff kind of came together to equal um like me realizing that God was good and he loved me.
00:05:57
Speaker
So I'm going to backtrack you. I'm going backtrack you just like right before, um I guess, your stepmom came into the picture. Yeah, um I'd like to know, and I guess everyone else would like to know then, what exactly was the moment for you when you knew, okay, I guess, I guess it's time to turn to God. Like, what, what happened between you before trying to figure things out? And then, you know, like, what switched you, I guess is my question.
00:06:28
Speaker
Well, um so I think, as I mentioned in the last thing, i I'd come to the point where I'd realized nothing before had satisfied me.
00:06:39
Speaker
um I had experienced the redemption of God in my life to see all the good things that he had given me, um which drove home like he loves me and he's actually like looking out for me and caring for me. um And I'd come to the point to realize like,
00:06:54
Speaker
even if I had everything and if I had a good life and I had good relationships and um like circumstances had become like better, even in that, I still had like a desire for something more in good times and bad times, I guess you could say.
00:07:13
Speaker
um And out of that, like God just like showed me his spirit. Like I remember just like just being in my bedroom and like, seeing and feeling and knowing the Spirit of God, because he just revealed himself to me like nothing, nothing else will do. Right.
00:07:31
Speaker
And now here's this thing, like, I am here for you and I love you, actually. And that just became a reality for me. Like I had nothing else. um I wasn't I wasn't cool.
00:07:44
Speaker
i wasn't popular. um ah You know, like I was smart, but there's always someone smarter. You know, there's all these things, right? And I realized that even if I had everything and, um you know, everything that I could i could want and and things were going good, it still wouldn't be enough. And I had this, like, aching for more.
00:08:08
Speaker
And I think that's, like, what drew me in because I realized, like, it what this will not do. For real. you know Yeah. So that kind of became,
00:08:21
Speaker
um what ultimately just meant that I, I knew I needed to follow God. Amazing. And of course, life with God is a journey, right?
00:08:36
Speaker
Um, I was like before. So now you've chosen to take this next step and you're growing your relationship with the Lord. but can you talk to us about some of the challenges that you faced, um especially now that you're, you know, you're on fire for Jesus, but on what were some challenges doing that?
00:09:01
Speaker
So I think the biggest challenge was like being lonely in this because I had been surrounded by Christians my whole life. And and There's some amazing Christians I know. I'm not going to say that I don't know any.
00:09:16
Speaker
I know so many cool people who just inspire me, but it felt so lonely because at the time, like my friends were, were interested in guys and like popularity and, um, just like saw the things, right. And here I was, I couldn't see anything the same.
00:09:36
Speaker
And I like was so in in love with Jesus and I had a desire to serve and like to change things. Um, and like just the way I saw was, was different now.
00:09:47
Speaker
And I felt like no one will understand that. And I'll be like, even though Jesus is the best thing, I still felt like lonely in that. And I remember 12 years old, I just like, I actually fasted for the day.
00:10:00
Speaker
And then, um, like I was just praying for someone to come along and understand. um the way I love Jesus and to like want to want to support me in that and to to be on fire for Jesus with me.
00:10:20
Speaker
And that was just what what I desired so much because um i think when you're changing your life and you're going from being one thing to another, um you have this conviction that's changed.
00:10:32
Speaker
You feel like now... where one thing was good enough before, now you feel like you have to do things a different way and you have to lead. You can't just like allow the people around you to go like a different way. You feel like you have to like win them over to your side as well.
00:10:49
Speaker
And it's so hard to do that when you're the only one and you feel like you're just like separate from the group. So I think that was the biggest struggle. There's been so many struggles because like ultimately we're still growing,
The Role of Community and Mentorship
00:11:01
Speaker
right? But I think that was like,
00:11:03
Speaker
as a young believer, that that got me for years. I'm just like, I love Jesus so much and I don't think anyone gets it.
00:11:13
Speaker
Yeah, you know, that makes sense. um But then I guess my biggest question is with that challenge, how did you stay rooted?
00:11:27
Speaker
How did I stay rooted? Yeah. um Well, there's a couple of things. um It didn't happen right away. And it was tricky for some time. But I think ultimately it comes to seeking mentorship.
00:11:40
Speaker
um There's like perfect. But um if you like, if you try um and you go to some kind of church or a Bible study or something like that, just anything, um you're going to find someone you believe you can trust and um can who can encourage you in your faith.
00:12:02
Speaker
and faith journey. And so like, that was something that like, I kind of struggled with for a little while also like finding a good mentor um and i i had this belief like oh i have jesus it's enough you know i don't need to talk be real with other people about these things but guys you need to guys get a mentor it's so good they'll encourage you and they'll challenge you and you need people to just like love you enough to tell you when you're completely wrong um so this this didn't happen overnight and this was like years but eventually i like
00:12:38
Speaker
got mentorship in place and again like I started trusting my stepmom more and and telling her about and that was that was huge for me um as well as like just pray I literally say this for anything.
00:12:52
Speaker
The word of God is so clear that if you desire something for his kingdom, you desire to serve him. If you desire to love him more, if you desire to just like have more faith in him, like it doesn't matter what the thing is.
00:13:05
Speaker
If you desire something for his kingdom and you ask it, it's not like a, Oh, he might deliver. It says he will deliver. you ask him in faith. So ask like, Why wouldn't we utilize that? It's like we could get whatever we want from him to like make us who we want to be.
00:13:22
Speaker
And so I always like I ask for that. I put for help in my friendships, in my relationships, in my journey, in my um just like staying pure and staying humble, like every single thing.
00:13:37
Speaker
that you could possibly need, you can literally pray to God and he will deliver. That's his word. um i don't know the exact verse. Do you know what I'm talking about? ah to be Yeah, I do know the scripture, not off the top of my head, but I know what you're referring to. Let me see if I can pull it real quick.
00:13:58
Speaker
It's a scripture that says, if you ask anything in my name, he will do it. Is it is it that scripture you're referring to? that one and then there's just like there's so many others yeah just say like you just believe something in faith and even like it says um in james if any of you lacks wisdom just ask for it and god is gracious he'll grant you that and so like whatever the thing is Ultimately, just pray to God about that.
00:14:23
Speaker
And um just pray like, God, I need people to come alongside me and support me in my faith. I need your boldness and your strength so that I feel supported by you. And I feel like bold enough in you that I can go and be a believer when everyone else is doing things that are like ultimately wrong or like just and maybe not intentionally wrong, but like things that they do as a result of not knowing you, you know?
00:14:50
Speaker
And so... just like I didn't get into a huge habit of praying, but like I did pray and I wish I had prayed more. That's the one thing I wish I had just like prayed for everything because that's such, it's so key to just every aspect.
00:15:09
Speaker
And, um, the more I pray, the more I want to pray because there's so many good things that come from it. So that's ultimately what I would, I would recommend. Wow.
00:15:20
Speaker
and i think I think I even just want to park there for a second and kind of just emphasize on some things that you just touched on, Lydia, because yeah you really shared some key things that I think really every, not even just young Christians, every Christian in general goes through at some point. Absolutely.
00:15:47
Speaker
Right. The biggest thing that I love that you touched on there was emphasizing ah need for community. And we see it because Jesus had a community, you know, the disciples, he was with the disciples all the time and it's what helped them.
00:16:04
Speaker
Right. And even when Jesus was being arrested before that happened, he told Peter to pray. Right. Because he knew that something was going to happen, but they were in a community together He taught them how to pray. And these were things that essentially built their faith.
00:16:25
Speaker
Right. And Lydia, you what you're sharing right now is these are things that took you time to build and grow and develop. And we're sharing, we're sharing with, with our viewers because man we're in a world today where so many things are grabbing for our attention, you know, but, um, to stay rooted, you got to spend time with the Lord. You got to spend time with him and with other people who are also, along that journey as well.
00:16:59
Speaker
Yeah. Like-minded individual. Exactly. Um, so I guess onto the next question, how, um did starting with God early shape your decisions and your friendships and essentially how you see life today?
Faith in Daily Life and Challenges
00:17:20
Speaker
Wow. That's a good thing. I think that first of all, starting faith with God early um means that i learned a lot of things um before maybe friends of mine did or my peers did.
00:17:42
Speaker
Um, and it's, I think it's so easy to just be like, Oh, I'll like take this seriously later in my life. wherere all'll do But like by starting in that point and investing time, because of that, I had a deeper knowledge of the word of God and from that, who God was and what we were called to do.
00:18:03
Speaker
Um, and ultimately that just leads to knowing God better. um And so by starting early, you get to enjoy knowing God better and enjoying his presence.
00:18:16
Speaker
And like, if I don't know if you guys like have experienced that or experienced how good that is, but it's like, let me tell you firsthand, like it's incredible and it gives you such joy and satisfaction.
00:18:30
Speaker
And it's like, I like to say it like, it's like this really good drug that once you tried it one time, it's like, you can't go back to life without It's longer than than anything in this world.
00:18:44
Speaker
And it was like, once I had experienced the goodness of God and his spirit, I was like, nothing else will ever like enough. And so I got to have that time with him and that like keeps you rooted.
00:18:58
Speaker
um So throughout like high school, it but High school is crazy if you go to public school and maybe if you don't um as well. But um there was just like as soon as I got to high school, within the first week, there was like my friends losing, like my Christian school friends were losing um like purity because of the culture and the community around them.
00:19:26
Speaker
And it was so like oppressive. There was so much gossip and and slander and drama and like idolizing relationships. And it was like, that's intense to be in.
00:19:38
Speaker
on But having been grounded and prepared ahead of time, it's like that, like that shields you from being tempted to follow in the ways of the world.
00:19:49
Speaker
And it gives you confidence and it'll give you joy and knowing God. And there's a lot of mistakes that you can avoid making in your life just by being prepared um and knowing God better um and so because of that like i was rooted in in a good group of friends and it was hard because again like some people went off and and did their own thing and um some of them have come back since and it's amazing to see but just like um yeah
00:20:24
Speaker
like by like deciding that I was going to know Jesus and I was going to love him. I was able to um make friends who were like minded. And um again, everyone's at their own stage in that journey.
00:20:41
Speaker
So it wasn't it wasn't perfect. I still felt some like loneliness, and not occasionally. um But it meant that like we could encourage each other and we could we could have joy and we could have community.
00:20:58
Speaker
without like the worst parts of of society today. So it wasn't like it wasn't like drinking or smoking or, um you know, ah oh all that lovely stuff.
00:21:10
Speaker
yeah it was It was really good because it was like safe and it was a safe hold for me. um And then I was able to like not be pressured bye people close to me telling me to do these things because the people I surrounded myself with like closely we're ultimately believers and that's not to say like don't have friends we're not but believers like we're supposed to we're called to but like um it's like where your heart is there your treasure will be it's this kind of of like if if you if your heart is rooted in people following um their own desires or things that are like something you're not called to follow then it's going to be really hard for you to not follow that
00:21:56
Speaker
But if the people like your heart is with are following the same things or like-minded people, then you are more likely to um like stay protected in that.
Expressing Faith Through Actions
00:22:09
Speaker
Yeah. that makes sense. Yeah. So, yeah. um And because of that, it's like, it's been crazy. i think in the last years, it's gotten even better. But just like, even if there's,
00:22:26
Speaker
Here, let me back up a little bit. um It's nice also, like the way it's affected my life, because um even though I haven't pursued God as hard as I could all the time, I still pursued God and I had like that time to grow um that some people didn't take. And everyone has their journey, so it's not a um it's not a bad thing if it took you longer, right?
00:22:56
Speaker
It's just like, yeah, God's always pursuing us. So, you know, he'll you'll you'll get to that point. But just because of that time and, like, that growth he gave me, um then when I got to, like, a strong community of believers, we could, like, really encourage each other and grow.
00:23:13
Speaker
yeah And because of that, like, when we were in, like, when I was in good soil in my life where people were desiring to serve and, like,
00:23:26
Speaker
and to to do the things I desire to do too, then we are able to lift each other up and build each other up and actually like commit to doing action, not just like talking about things.
00:23:37
Speaker
yeah Like for example, you were you were there too, but we did like a couple evangelism missions. um Just like, just crazy things like giving sandwiches to homeless people and telling them about the gospel and like so many cool stories and so many cool encounters because of, um,
00:23:55
Speaker
our like-mindedness in desiring to follow Christ that had led us to this point of being able to work together and do this. and So, yeah. yeah Wow, wow, wow. What would you say to someone, someone young, who feels like they're not ready or they're not really sure where to start with God?
00:24:21
Speaker
Wow. that's That's a deep one. so I think ultimately I would tell you to pray. um
00:24:33
Speaker
First of all, like, I think people think God is scary. He's so big and powerful, but he's also the God who made love and he adores you.
00:24:45
Speaker
And if you think there's any like fraction of of a possibility that that is the truth and pray, and ask him to show you that and ask him to to help you with this because if you are asking something for his kingdom desiring to grow in that way he does not waste that just at all it's just like not wasted and so ultimately you don't need to know the words to say he's not disappointed in you um he desires you and he desires your heart and like he understands
Encouragement and Guidance for Young Believers
00:25:23
Speaker
He's intelligent. He understands your dilemma and he understands like um your heart and your confusion, too. And he has grace for that. he has so much grace.
00:25:34
Speaker
So I would say, like, wherever you're at, like, just start praying and being like, God, I don't know what I'm doing. I would like to, i would like to know who you are. I'd like to know if you're real.
00:25:46
Speaker
I would like to know where this is going and and what I can do and with my life with you in it. Like, doesn't matter the thing, just be real, just be brutally honest with God and say, here's the thing.
00:25:59
Speaker
I want this, but I don't know how. And he's like, okay, I got you. You know, he's just waiting for you to just be like, yeah say yes it's like um there's a parable in the in the bible where it's like or an example and jesus is talking about like god's just always door right and he's just like waiting for you to answer so it's not like you have to do all the things it's not like you have to like go on a long perilous journey to get to god's house and then knock on his door and hope he answers he's knocking at the door just like unlock the deadbolt open the door and be like okay god
00:26:36
Speaker
sorry it's a mess in here can we do something about this i don't know where to begin and he's like one of those professional cleaning ladies and he'll just back here i got you you know like um it really doesn't matter where you're at because he has enough grace for that and i just want you to like not let shame or anything you've done or any guilt or like doubt that you're good enough stop you from getting all right Like from pursuing God, because he's just so good.
00:27:07
Speaker
And he's, it doesn't matter, you know, it doesn't matter because he loves you so much. And he's not letting any of that get in the way of knocking at your door and desiring to see you.
00:27:18
Speaker
So why would you, you know, he's he's not thinking about that or dwelling on that. I promise. um So that's what I would say, like, none of us know where we're at.
00:27:29
Speaker
I still don't. And I just ask God every day. I'm like, God, yeah give me the grace and the wisdom to figure this thing out. And so far, so good.
00:27:40
Speaker
pretend So, yeah. Wow. that You said some deep stuff there, my goodness. home But, guys, everything a Lydia shared. First of all, Lydia, thank you for and feeling free to open up and and share your story with us.
00:28:06
Speaker
um I really, i mean, some of the stuff you shared, i just I took for myself and I'm like, oh, that's that's a good point. But it's amazing. by it's amazing how when two people, two or more people who love the Lord come together, such beautiful words and inspiration can can come from that.
00:28:30
Speaker
But it's just as the scripture says, iron sharp sharpens iron, right? Amen. But yeah, i if you don't mind, I'd like you to just pray for our listeners right now, um especially who,
00:28:49
Speaker
that you just talk to those who may be unsure and they're listening to this and, they're thinking about taking the next step and actually making a commitment to the Lord. So, um, if you just want to pray for them, that would be great.
00:29:05
Speaker
Yeah, of course. Abba, thank you for this wonderful day. Thank you for your goodness and your grace that just surpasses all understanding. um Thank you that you've given us the grace to be able to talk about this and serve, even though like I know in in my life, I've had no idea what I'm doing.
00:29:28
Speaker
um And I've been so like, so desperately in need of you, God. oh Just thank you for giving this opportunity to share and thank you for to be coming and and um just like his grace and trying to share this with people as well.
00:29:47
Speaker
I pray that you just be with anyone out there who's unsure right now, who doubts your love and your goodness. I pray that you would just shock them by showing them how much you adore them, how much you see them as that lovely, beautiful little child in your arms um who you just...
00:30:04
Speaker
ah are are crazy about. i pray that they would just see you the way you are, God, with your goodness and you just reveal themselves or you reveal yourself to them, God, um and every single thing. I pray that people would not feel afraid to ask you, but they would seek you, believing that there's a chance, even just a chance that you're real and there's something good about it.
00:30:28
Speaker
um I pray that you would just come against any um and spiritual warfare and anything they feel telling them this is that they're not good enough or this is not a good idea i pray that you just take that those voices ahead of them uh or away and just also um anyone who's and and thinking later not now i pray that you would just reveal yourself to them
00:30:59
Speaker
And give them this like conviction, this loving conviction that you're so good. You deserve to be known now. It is worth knowing you now. know just I pray that you would help them know it is so good to have you in their lives.
00:31:16
Speaker
That it is worth knowing you absolutely right now. um And I pray that you just op pinure open eyes. everyone's eyes So they would open their door to you, God.
00:31:29
Speaker
And thank you that you use these imperfect humans. Thank you that you use us even though we're so flawed and we're so weak, God. We pray that you just continue to use us and to use um our stories and just that everyone out there would be can encouraged and and see your goodness and see your love, God.
00:31:51
Speaker
And you just use their stories, God. I know those people listening who have incredible stories and who've been through incredible things and you are using them. You've not wasted anything they've gone through or done or been through.
00:32:03
Speaker
so I pray that you would just cause them to come to you so they could share and they could lead others to you because of the amazing things you brought them through. Jesus name.
Commitment Invitation & Conclusion
00:32:15
Speaker
Amen.
00:32:16
Speaker
Amen. Amen. man um So right now, if someone's listening and you're listening and you have just heard everything that's been shared and you actually want to make a commitment to the Lord, you would like to make Jesus the Lord of your life and take that next step.
00:32:39
Speaker
I just want you to say this prayer after me because the Bible says that um if you believe in your heart and declare with your mouth the Lord Jesus, then you're saved. Salvation, like we're talking about, you know, this whole thing, it's not about what you did wrong or did right.
00:32:55
Speaker
Like Lydia was just sharing, it really wasn't about how much she knew or didn't know. It really just took one step of saying yes to God. So if you'd like to take that step now, just say this prayer after me.
00:33:09
Speaker
Oh Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, son of the living God. I believe he died for me and God raised him from the dead.
00:33:20
Speaker
I believe he's alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is a Lord of my life from this day. Through him and in his name, I have eternal life.
00:33:32
Speaker
I'm a child of God now. Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul. I'm born again. Hallelujah. So you said that prayer, i congratulate you. Welcome to the family. Whoop, whoop.
00:33:51
Speaker
But yeah, um that's kind of it for today's episode. If you have any questions, comments, testimonies um from, you know, today's episode, hearing everything else talked about, please don't hesitate to send that in.
00:34:08
Speaker
um We'd love to hear about it. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you so much, Lydia, for joining um and sharing all that you shared. I really, really do appreciate it.
00:34:19
Speaker
Thanks so much for having me. um i love talking about this and i I really hope that someone's out there is encouraged because that's ultimately what it comes down to. i do this a million times with even one person, you know. um Hey, that's pretty neat.
00:34:39
Speaker
Yeah, you're right. You're right. All right. So this is us signing out. Thank you for listening, guys, and we'll see you in the next episode.
00:34:51
Speaker
Thank you for listening. I hope you enjoyed this episode of God Talks with Chips. If you have any questions, comments, or even suggestions for topics you'd love to hear covered on the podcast, feel free to reach out at godtalks.show at gmail.com.
00:35:07
Speaker
And don't forget, stay tuned, stay grounded, and get ready to rise.