Episode 33: Secure & Significant
An interview with Lyndsey Sweeney
Hear Lyndsey’s 'in process' story of fighting the lies of the enemy, practicing confession/repentance in community, and knowing her security and significance can only be found in Christ alone.
The Seeds
Name: Lyndsey Sweeney
Age: 41
Where do you call home: Austin, TX
Relationship Status: Looking to be set up! Ha! Single!
Season of Work: Director of Operations for Ivey Media
Hobbies: Hosting dinner parties, thrifting, baking, and puzzles
Jesus Journey: Growing up our family always celebrated Jesus on the major holidays: Easter, gratitude & thankfulness on Thanksgiving, and baby Jesus coming to Earth on Christmas. I always was drawn to the church. I would try to get my neighbors, grandma, or really anyone to take me. In Fifth grade, my English and Reading teacher Mrs. Johnson invited me to church. From that point my life truly took a turn toward Jesus. Summer after Fifth grade, I went to camp and heard those who went to heaven were those that believe in Jesus. I was told being a good person wasn’t enough. I was shocked because I always strived to be the very best person, and to think that wasn’t going to get me to heaven rocked my world. I grabbed my counselor and my very best friend and we both prayed a prayer, read through Romans, and became “Christians.”
Two weeks after this event I was hanging out with my new Christian friends when one of them spoke ugly about their mom and cursed. I again was shocked, and at that moment thought “what have I done…is this what being a good Christian is?” I decided right then and there that I had a choice: I could be a Christian that stays on this path with new Christian friends or I could become the version of a Christian that was the very best and that everyone else should be like. I chose the second option. Ha! That put me on a path of years of perfectionism and legalism. I looked at God as a judge and someone that I had to earn grace, peace, love, and good things from.
Along the way, some women became pillars of grace and mentorship in my life. These women invited me into their homes to cook dinner, run errands, and even came to my school events. They just showed up! They helped me process questions I had and were firm but gentle. These women helped me see God loves me for me, not for anything that I do. It wasn’t until I was 19 years old, attending a “Women of Faith” conference with my mentor Leigh, that this finally stuck. We left the event after one of the women shared, ‘no matter if I did all bad or if I did all good God‘s love was the same for me.’ I was angry! Of course God loves me more because I did good things. I seriously told Leigh that! She was flabbergasted but also kind and told me…”No, He doesn’t love you any more or less.” How prideful of me to think I was owed more from the Creator of everything! That truth at that moment hit me so hard, but it felt not fair.
Fast forward to college, I was in therapy after a serious accident left me with PTSD and depression. I was going to college Bible study and BSM worship nights. All these things were helping me to explore and know God more. But it wasn’t until a special worship night on Feb 6, 2003 that I truly believe for the very first time I got it. Believe in Jesus and surrender to Him. We sang a lyric:
“My healer has set me free, no more pain, I am free to dance.”
I knew at that moment the God of my youth, the one who I saw as the judge, report card keeper, and unfairly not rewarding me for my better than others Christian’s life— was not God at all. It was myself. I surrendered my life to Him that night and have been experiencing peace more deeply each and every year that passes.
The Branches
Lyndsey, you wear a lot of hats! You are a daughter, sister, auntie, dog mama, and Director of Operations at Ivey Media. Which hat is the most fun in this season and why?
Auntie! I love my niece and nephews so much!! The role of my aunts was incredibly formative to my world view while growing up. I am having so much fun sharing the world with these kids and watching them discover new things. I also really believe raising children is the most challenging role, and I want to be supportive to my siblings and friends as they parent.
Which hat is stretching you and requires the most of you in this season of life?
Director of Ops at Ivey Media. We are growing and created so much over the last 2 years and even more in the last few months. It takes a lot of my attention, creativity, and time. I’m an Enneagram 3, so all that I just shared makes me so happy! But where it’s stretching me is, it’s not sustainable to pour ALL my time, energy, and life into the ministry/work I get to do. I am being stretched to understand and fight against my natural inclination to do more and be better. It’s stretching to see yourself fully and then know you need to pull back so you can keep being here for the long haul. It’s hard for me.
Like ‘olive us’ in this season…a lot is going on in our personal lives & the world. A lot of heavy…a lot of hard. How are you doing and how has God been meeting you?
Gosh, these last 2 years have caused havoc to so many of my idols/comforts. I had no idea I relied so much on these idols/comforts so much. During these last few years I have adjusted some friendships. The way I interact with the world is more generous, and honestly, I am still adjusting/fighting for the things God has been showing me.
Lyndsey, you make so many smile! From your Instagram posts to how you show up IRL. Many are inspired by your work ethic & what you’re building at Jamie Ivey Media. Putting work to the side…your countenance & heart are warm, welcoming, and loving. What part do you see yourself playing in loving God & loving others with the places, spaces, opportunities, and resources that He’s given you?
Gosh, these are such kind words. I am humbled. Years ago I began a spiritual practice of asking God to teach me today to be present, patient, and prayerful. Just a simple morning thought as I get out of bed, AND GOD has been faithful. I’ve seen Him use me to be the patient friend, the holder of joy amid long suffering, and a person who is willing to be vulnerable with my fears/failures even when I can’t control how others will respond. That’s hard for me because there’s been several times in my life where I’ve been misunderstood, and just plainly put, rejected. But, I still sense and see God ask me to show up in this way because it’s not for the other person. It’s for me. I need to be vulnerable for my own process.
Since 2017 you have been Jamie Ivey’s right-hand woman (Director of OPS at Ivey Media). Her ministry continues to grow and impact people and you’ve been a huge part of it. How did this opportunity at Ivey Media begin and how’s it going?
I love my job! I started working with Jamie in the Fall of 2017 as a contractor to help run her launch team, for her book”If You Only Knew.” It was so much fun! In March 2018, Jamie‘s coworker Amanda asked me to consider working with them part-time on the podcast. Quickly after saying ‘yes’ to the role, I began to see that I enjoyed the work. My background in ministry and project management/organization were both valuable. Jamie Ivey Media continued to grow and I took on more responsibilities to support Jamie and the podcast, but also her speaking requests. Within a year I was working primarily with Jamie, and a couple of contract positions doing podcast production. In August 2019, we made the switch to me being the first full-time employee with Ivey Media. And since then our team has continued to grow, and our business is expanding!
It seems many women feel awkward, less than, or unimportant if they’re not “running the show” or doing a job that is less visible to the public eye because of the pressure the world has put on us to “be the boss” etc. How do you fully“show up” using your giftings & support the mission and vision God has given someone else?
I know that my circumstances are unique, so I’m aware that my response may not be what others would think it would be. It hasn’t been hard for me to show up and support the vision and mission of Ivey media. I know that my work/role is significant and specifically needed in this work and ministry. I know and believe in the giftings and work Jamie has been given. There is mutual respect and admiration for one another that is, honestly, not something I’ve experienced in my past working or ministry positions.
Jamie is my biggest fan and cheerleader. I truly believe in her and I am for her. That relationship fights against and illuminates any feelings of less than or not being important.
1 Cor 3:9 teaches us that we are ‘co-laborers’ with Christ. Meaning we don’t just receive our salvation and then that’s it. We are to work together as the Body of Christ to see His Kingdom come on Earth as it is in Heaven. Do you think we’ve gotten off track and are instead co-laboring for our own kingdoms instead of God’s in some ways?
Man, I think within all of us is this desire to be known, seen, and appreciated. Because of that genuine need and desire, we can strive at times to build our own kingdoms. This is why I think having community around you is so important. Live your day-to-day life with people who are going to remind you of the importance of seeking God first and His kingdom. People who are not afraid to say when they see something that is unhealthy or opposite of what your heart wants to reflect. The Bible is so clear that we need one another. Our transformation is not worked out privately, but within the safety of those who are walking with us.
Scripture teaches us that no part of the Body of Christ is more significant than the other, but ALL parts are necessary for the body to fully function. Lyndsey, how do you remind yourself that you’re a significant part of the body? Have you struggled in this area?
I struggle with not believing that sometimes, and often it’s because I’m not getting enough sleep, not taking care of my body, watching too much Netflix, or constantly scrolling Instagram. All of these things ignite in me a need or desire to compare my circumstance to those around me. When this happens I start to think I don’t matter and I suck, so I should just quit. This is why I need my people and I need to have the foundation of what is true. Truth doesn’t change, even though I waver— I go back to God’s truth and it helps me fight the lie that I am insignificant and practically, it helps me see red flags in my behavior that lead to lies. .
Would you say you’re secure in your current season?
Yes, because I know I can sit with God in the spaces of insecurities that I am carrying.
We’ve done a poor job of loving, seeing, and meeting people in their singleness in the Big “C” church. In your opinion, how do we better walk alongside people PERIOD that are in different seasons, different life stages, look different from us, etc.?
I’m 41 years old, single, and never married. I’ve experienced tremendous love from friends and families in the local church over the years. But, that was in my twenties and early thirties, something happened at 35ish. It’s like I wasn’t seen anymore as available to be included in the family dinners, sporting events, school performances, etc. “We don’t want to bore you” “we know you’ve got a busy life, living it up as a free woman.”
Married friends, your single people aren’t bored by kids’ stuff, trips to Costco, or messy loud dinners. Invite us over, even if we can’t or don’t want to come. Your invitation will help this chasm within the church so much. We need each other.
This goes with our seniors, too. They often feel forgotten, put up on a shelf, but desire to be included, too.
Another fun idea…let’s normalize parties and gift giving for single people who have milestones in their lives. New jobs, surviving a pandemic alone, caring for a sick family member, etc. Graduations, Weddings, and kids’ birthdays aren’t the only gatherings worthy of celebration. Let’s party all the time!
Olive Us was created for women to share their in-process experiences and their "Only God" moments so that we can remember we are connected through Christ and we're not alone. Why is this important?
I think it’s the same reason God put a tree in the garden, to remind us to trust Him. We have all we need, He’s got us. He is provision and when we share these only God stories it reminds us of how He shows up. It gives me hope when I am in a dark place struggling with the belief that He cares.
The Olive Tree
Finish these statements:
God is… my champion! He is my biggest advocate.
I can be secure in my roles because… I believe the truth of His word.
‘Olive Us’ are better when…we live life together.
Olives to Go
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Thanks for having me “Olive Us”
Would love to connect with you!
Lyndsey’s Instagram/Ivey Media Website/ Ivey Media Courses Instagram