Sometimes God asks you to let go of the good things in your life. Maybe they’re outwardly good, innocent, fun. But really they aren’t doing anything to further God’s kingdom and bring you closer to Him. It doesn’t mean they are bad, but sometimes they just aren’t the best for you. Sometimes you just have to let go. And let God.
living a life of meaning.
Yesterday, one of my covenant leaders said something that really got me thinking. She told us about these hippies she talked to in Moab and how they were travelling around and living in this van together to just explore the world. My initial thoughts were “that sounds amazing, I wish I could drive around everywhere and anywhere with my best friend to just experience this world”, but as she continued she talked about how they didn’t believe in God, and how they were travelling to live and get away in search for something more. She asked them why they were travelling, and what the wanted to get out of it, and they responded by saying, “We only live once, so we’re just experiencing this world” It was the first time I ever really thought about that statement. I never would have heard that story and thought about how they doing anything meaningless by travelling and exploring this world. But then I thought about what the term “YOLO” means, we say it just thinking that we’re just going do something because “why not?” But really, as Christians we live eternally…we don’t live just once. I mean, I still like using the term YOLO because it makes me excited to really live. But these guys Steph talked to were exploring this world in search of something more, in search for something meaningful. And when I think about it, I want to live a TRULY meaningful life…a life for God, not just for satisfaction. Because reality is, we are never going to find meaning and satisfaction in doing the things of this world. We can only find true meaning in Him who created us. So I hope anyone who is reading this will take this story as inspiration, like I did. Live a life of meaning. Do it for the glory of God. Because anything you think will make yourself satisfied, is just temporary. But living a life for God is eternal.
Life is different now. My dreams and aspirations have changed and God has placed new desires on my heart. I’m stepping out in faith and living like i’ve never lived before and im doing it ALL for God. I never want to leave the place I am right now. never.
Tonight
Tonight was the pivotal point of my school year so far at Timberline, I just feel like my head is totally cleared and God has given me full peace about whats ahead of me. I went for a walk with two of my roomies and we had the best talk ever about life in general. Everything is different now. Our lives are changing and God is so evident in making that change. And its incredible to watch the journey..not only the changes I’m seeing in myself but the people around me. Its only been a month and I’m already seeing a clear change in the lives of my friends. God is so good. My plans and ideas I had for the future have totally been changed by the power of God, and I have no worries. God has my life in his hands. And I’m so excited to experience what he has in store for my life. His will is what I want for my life. God is so good.
And to top the night off, we walked all the way to Young Life camp and were standing in the middle of these 4 beams praying and a car came around the corner and stopped. This guy we had met the day before was driving by and offered us a ride back to Timberline. (and side note: curfew is at 11 and it was 10:50 at this point and it took half an hour to walk there) God totally answered our prayers and saved us from being late for curfew.
Aw what a wonderful night. So lovestruck by God right now. He is so amazing. SPREAD THE LOVE EVERYBODY..because God is our savior! So live it out.
Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV)
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
"Let me explain. When I was a child I often had toothache, and I knew that if I went to my mother she would give me something which would deaden the pain for that night and let me get to sleep. But I did not go to my mother—at least, not till the pain became very bad. And the reason I did not go was this. I did not doubt she would give me the aspirin; but I knew she would also do something else. I knew she would take me to the dentist next morning. I could not get what I wanted out of her without getting something more, which I did not want. I wanted immediate relief from pain: but I could not get it without having my teeth set permanently right. And I knew those dentists: I knew they started fiddling about with all sorts of other teeth which had not yet begun to ache. They would not let sleeping dogs lie, if you gave them an inch they took an ell.
Now, if I may put it that way, Our Lord is like the dentists. If you give Him an inch, He will take an ell. Dozens of people go to Him to be cured of some one particular sin which they are ashamed of (like masturbation or physical cowardice) or which is obviously spoiling daily life (like bad temper or drunkenness). Well, He will cure it all right: but He will not stop there. That may be all you asked; but if once you call Him in, He will give you the full treatment.
That is why He warned people to ‘count the cost’ before becoming Christians. ‘Make no mistake,’ He says, ‘if you let me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that. You have free will, and if you choose, you can push Me away. But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to see this job through. Whatever suffering it may cost you in your earthly life, whatever inconceivable purification it may cost you after death, whatever it costs Me, I will never rest, nor let you rest, until you are literally perfect— until my Father can say without reservation that He is well pleased with you, as He said He was well pleased with me. This I can do and will do. But I will not do anything less.’"
Now, if I may put it that way, Our Lord is like the dentists. If you give Him an inch, He will take an ell. Dozens of people go to Him to be cured of some one particular sin which they are ashamed of (like masturbation or physical cowardice) or which is obviously spoiling daily life (like bad temper or drunkenness). Well, He will cure it all right: but He will not stop there. That may be all you asked; but if once you call Him in, He will give you the full treatment.
That is why He warned people to ‘count the cost’ before becoming Christians. ‘Make no mistake,’ He says, ‘if you let me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that. You have free will, and if you choose, you can push Me away. But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to see this job through. Whatever suffering it may cost you in your earthly life, whatever inconceivable purification it may cost you after death, whatever it costs Me, I will never rest, nor let you rest, until you are literally perfect— until my Father can say without reservation that He is well pleased with you, as He said He was well pleased with me. This I can do and will do. But I will not do anything less.’"
~Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
the little things.
Today, while I was at work, this man in the drive thru asked to pay for the car behind him. Its not often that someone pays for another car, but on the rare occasion that it does they usually ask how much the cars order is and pay for a small coffee or something little like that, but this man without asking just took out his debit and payed for the ladies 11 dollar order (considering where i work thats a more expensive order). He just smiled and paid. It just made me so happy to tell the lady in the next car that her order had been paid for. She was a regular customer and was so surprised and shocked that someone would do that for her. I couldn’t stop smiling, just the little things like that just made my day. I immediately questioned myself and asked why I don’t do things like that on a daily basis, or why I don’t openly give money to charity. Thats something as a Christian that I should be doing and that shouldn’t be something so out of the blue that it surprises people when it happens. Little things like that I should be doing on in my day to day life, because that’s what Jesus did and I should be showing love to my brothers and sisters in Christ even if it is a small gesture.
"But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."
Jude 1:20-21 (NIV)
(Source: societykillscreativity)
To every girl out there.
Stop caring what people think…what does it matter? who cares what they think about you? Be the person you would be if no one else was there pressuring you or watching you or paying attention to you. The only person that can judge you is God. Listen to your heart. Listen to God. And choose the people you surround yourself with wisely.
Living a Christian life is hard.
I’ve always known that being a Christian doesn’t come easy. God never promised an easy life just because we decided to follow him. Often times life is harder because we’re living the Christian life. We will get persecuted for our faith; whether this means not being the most popular kid in school, not being invited to parties, being left out or losing friends (etc.). Being persecuted doesn’t mean you’ll be hit over the head with a rock for being a Christian, but rather we will experience rejection from other people, temptations and hard trials. But God promises to be with us every step of the way. A Christian life is a hard one, but just because I choose to follow God, doesn’t mean I choose the easy route. Eternal life will be far better than life here on earth..and I’m so proud to call myself a follower of Christ. I will never look down upon it. I will always stand for him, even in the toughest of times. Just because my life isn’t going the way I want it to right now, doesn’t mean I should give up…this is what the Christian life is about…living a life for God in the hard times, not the easy.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” Matthew 7:13
