#sistersofinfluence: Nadine Schroeder

Hello again, friends! I am so excited to introduce you to my virtual friend, Nadine. Ok, so we actually met, but only once. Nadine is an incredibly kind and rooted woman. She lives in Canada and is a student. So how did we meet? The internet, folks. I stumbled upon Nadine's writing through Jess Connolly's blog a while back and just was so encouraged. She has such a refreshing perspective, and she loves the Gospel. In September, Nadine also attended the Influence Conference, and I sheepishly went up to her and introduced myself. And guess what? She's pretty bomb! I know you'll be encouraged by her words and inspired to sit at the foot of the cross as she does.

Tell us about yourself. Who are you?

I'm Nadine. I love the Gospel because I was saved by it. I like looking people in the eye and hearing stories. I work in education and believe in caring well for the next generation as they journey through school. I'm passionate about freedom in Christ and quite love the colour red.

How did you come to know the Lord?

Well initially as a child, but I kind of never want to tell the long story cause in scripture it asks me to have reason at all times for my hope! I don't have hope because of my childhood belief in Christ. I have hope today, this day as I type these words, because I was reminded profoundly just an hour or two ago - through scripture - that Christ left heaven, that God gave up His son. Reading that truth set me newly free.

And also I'd say I got set free and received the Gospel about six years ago. The church I was newly attending in a new city kept preaching about how there's no condemnation in Christ. I felt deep shame for my past and so I asked a pastor what he meant. He didn't clarify, he simply reminded me that no condemnation means no condemnation. Somehow in that moment I realized I could walk in chains and brokenness or I could accept the freedom offered to me in Christ.

What do you think it means to be a person of influence right where you are?

Well, this minute I'm by myself. So my first person to influence is me! I get to, whenever I am alone, speak truth to myself. Cause it's easy to forget truth but far more fun to walk in it. So influence to me simply means what needs to be said in the moment. Sometimes that means texting a friend to encourage, or posting something on Insta to exhort, or sitting by myself to pray.

It's not complicated. I think we like to complicate things but Jesus was fairly straight forward. He met people where they were at and introduced Himself. He got to know them - though He actually already knew them - and only offered them what they needed. Which was Himself. So I try to get to know people and tell them about my hope.

What is your favorite verse or passage of Scripture?

So many! Sheesh! I love the Word so I'm constantly finding new chapters and verses to underline and ponder.

Today, this minute, I'm thinking Philippians 2:5-11

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I've been praying a lot and trying to educate myself on diversity and privilege. This portion of scripture compels me to believe that Christ does not believe in division. He left heaven. He left His privilege so that those who call upon Him might gain His. So I'm living in the tension of living with privilege and I'm trying hard to ask the Lord what that means for my story.