NAME: Natasha Finney
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF:
Hello!
My name is Natasha. I am from Colorado, which is where my love for the outdoors originated. I lived in Florida for three years and then ventured on up to Pennsylvania last September. Coffee is a must in my life along with a good book. If I were a superhero my arch nemesis would either be named routine or detail. For this reason, you will probably find me in random places going down roads just because I have never been down them. I love to explore and go on spontaneous adventures. God is unbelievably creative, and I love to find His creativity in the world.
IF YOU COULD LIVE IN ANY CARTOON UNIVERSE, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
A mixture between Neverland and wherever Tangled is. Neverland is full of adventure! Tangled has a castle… so obviously… and there are hilarious animals to interact with.
WOULD YOU RATHER BE CAUGHT SINGING OR DANCING TO YOUR FAVORITE SONG?
Definitely dancing! I have some pretty great moves; if disco ever comes back I am totally prepared!
I ONCE HEARD A GREAT PIECE OF ADVICE, “IF YOU CAN LAUGH AT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE LATER, YOU CAN LAUGH AT IT NOW.” SHARE WITH US A PERSONAL MOMENT WHICH WAS DIFFICULT AT FIRST BUT NOW YOU CAN FIND THE JOY IN IT.
The first thing that came to my mind was moving away from my family. At first being away from them was incredibly difficult, and still is at times. However, I have found beautiful moments of joy. Our relationships are deeper and more intentional because of the long distance. There is no better feeling than visiting home and getting off the plane to see my dad standing there waiting for me with open arms. I do want to say though, that my joy is rarely found in my circumstances, but rather inside of myself. I get my joy from my relationship with God and by being content wherever I am.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO STRUGGLES TO FIND JOY?
My personal advice would be to find the ability to laugh at yourself and your circumstances. Finding the humor in life is such a key to maintaining joy. This may sound a bit odd, but when I find nothing to laugh at I will tell God a joke, and He will tell me one back. It is in this laughter with God that I am able to walk through life with a little extra pep in my step.
YOU’RE ABOUT READY TO FINISH YOUR FINAL SEMESTER AT OUR SCHOOL FOR EMERGING LEADERS. WHAT TRUTH IS RESONATING IN YOUR SPIRIT AS YOU BEGIN TO TRANSITION INTO YOUR NEXT SEASON?
I have gained so much here, but what will lead me into the next season is a better understanding of being a powerful person; having an understanding that we have daily choices that we are in control of. Circumstances do not dictate our success, our choices do. I love the quote that says, “It’s not what happens to us, it’s what happens in us.”
IN YOUR OWN WORDS, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN INSTRUMENT OF JUSTICE?
Simply, I believe it means to live the standard God has called us to. It is walking in the gospel of Jesus, removing oppression, caring for the oppressed, and bringing the truth of Jesus to the world. Jesus’ life is the example of perfect justice.
IF YOU WERE SPEAKING TO A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
Love God, love people, love yourself. While living in Colorado I went snowboarding, and gained a life lesson—where you focus your eyes is the direction you will go. If you are looking at a tree, you are going to slam into that tree. Your focus will direct you, so focus on the beauty of God and the beauty of the world He created.
UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT PEOPLE’S PERSONALITIES CAN BE DIFFICULT. HOW HAVE YOU LEARNED TO VALUE AND APPRECIATE THE DIVERSITY IN ALL OF US?
This is my favorite question ever! (Besides what do I want for dinner—I always love that question.) I love people. I love learning about people, analyzing people, understanding people, and being with people. The thing I love most about people is our diversity. There are no two people that are identical. It is this beautiful masterpiece of life, full of different colors, textures, and perspectives. When I see the beauty of each person I see different pieces of God—different expressions of who God is. I have come to appreciate how different personalities challenge me, compliment me, and show me a different picture of life.
BEING THE RIPE OLD AGE OF 21, PRETEND YOU’RE A WEATHERMAN AND GIVE US THE FORECAST OF THE NEXT TEN YEARS OF YOUR LIFE.
It’s looking bright and sunny! I will be traveling and exploring this amazing world we live in. I will build a tiny house that I can travel with because I think those are really cool! (Possibly impractical, but that’s okay.) The next ten years will be filled with pursing my passion of ending human trafficking and building communities. Learning will stay a part of my life (mostly learning random skills that may not apply to any practical part of my life. Such as learning Irish or mastering the art of origami.) (I probably won’t stick with origami, but I’ll give it a shot!)
IF YOU COULD TALK TO ANIMALS, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST ANMIAL YOU WOULD APPROACH?
For sure a reindeer! (The real kind.) I would start the conversation by asking if they know that people think they can fly. I think they would get a kick out of that! Also, there isn’t a great chance of them trying to eat me…
THANKS FOR GIVING US A GLIMPSE INTO YOUR LIFE AND HOW YOU DO PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY.