Well blogger world, whoever you are (and I am convinced it is no one), it has been quite a while since we chatted and its about time for an update. I have come to believe (Ok so in the couple days) that blogging does something for processing that journal-ling doesn't. It's still in process what that is, but whatev just go with it. :-)
On life: I finished my fall semester of my junior year and I can't believe how fast it went. Seriously, maybe it was because I have never been so busy in my entire life, but I feel like it was a week ago that I was making decorations for my wing and waiting to get the craziness over. Now that it is, I have never been so happy. This was by far the hardest academic semester and the most demanding schedule, what with 17 credits, PAing, and have multiple Lighthouse practices a week. All things I enjoy, but it was insane!
As usual, the semester brought about joys and sorrows, the majority of which I am still working through. This was the best semester I have had so far at Taylor and that in itself is something to be joyful about! While in the past, God has taught me about who he is as I deal with outward circumstances, this time, I have been learning about myself and how I am suppose to follow him. I have never been so crabby for such a long time in my life and it honestly was because I was so confused by what God wanted from me and understanding how to live for him. I learned a great deal about my personality, desires, dreams, weaknesses, and strengths. Let me tell you, it's exhausting, but here was the outcome (though it is still in process). I am learning to appreciate the past, be content in the present, and accept the future. A lot of this is tied up in a struggle in understanding the power of prayer. Moses was able to stop God from destroying the Israelites- how is it possible to do that and what kind of faith does it take? One thing for sure, I know that I don't have that faith. I know God can do whatever I ask, but in the back of my mind are doubts about whether those things fit into the will of God and if he will actually do it. Honestly, I'm scared to pray with authority because what if those things don't occur? Here where I'm at right now: I know that God knows my deepest desires and above that I want him to do whatever he plans (cause that's what's gonna happen anyways). I trust that God could answer my pleas how I want them, but I know that God has a bigger picture and what I might want is probably not as awesome and wonderful as what God had in store for me and those around me. God has allowed for people to come into my life, experiences to happen, and lessons learned for a purpose. He also has a reason for where I am today and he has an incredible plan for my future. I don't always have to know what to do or how to act as long as I am serving God and glorifying him and loving others. There are two verses that have been a huge encouragement to me recently: Proverbs 3:5-6 and 1 Peter 5:6-7. Look them up. They're pretty great.
On family: Since the summer, I have been really exasperated with my family. I'm really tired about how things have been going recently and how no one really talks about it. This is something that has recently really been placed on my heart, but I don't know how to deal with it. I want to be respectful and loving to all involved, but I don't really know what that looks like and so don't know how to do it. I think a large part of my problem is that I really really really despise change. I've been praying for a new attitude about it and God really has done that. I have a new perspective on the situation but know that it still needs to be addressed. Family is the core of a person. It really rocks you when it goes even slightly out of wack.
On India: I'm going to India in January!! With the semester over, it has finally hit me that this is really happening. I am so excited for the whole trip- I'm excited to bond with my team, build relationships with the YFC missionaries, and share the gospel through all sorts of performances and testimonies. God is already working in Bangalore and I can't wait to see what else he does while we are there. It's going to be one memorable wild ride. I'm ready to roll!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
The Shack
Today I finished reading The Shack which is written by William P. Young. This was one of the hardest books to read, but after finishing it and looking on theshackbook.com I have come to some conclusions about this book.
For those of you who don't know, The Shack is about this guy named Mack whose daughter was kidnapped by serial killer. Years later, he receives a note from God asking him to come visit Him at the shack where they found Mack's daughter Missy's dress. The book is about Mack's time at the shack and his encounter with God. In the forward, Young explains that Mack was his friend, that Mack claimed it all to be true, and that it wasn't his place to judge whether the story was true, but just to tell it. The afterward gives you an update on what has been going on since the story.
The book had a lot of good qualities about it. I definitely could resonate with some of the feelings and experiences of Mack, but there was something about it that just didn't sit well with me. It for sure made me excited about being with God, but I wonder how healthy that is. As I read the book, I wondered why this book was even published in the first place? Everything that was mentioned within it has been given to those who love Christ through the Bible, creation, and our own experience in the Holy Spirit.
So after reading it, I immediately looked up the website and was pretty saddened. One, Mack is not a real person. The whole story really is made up, but there is not one place in the book where it actually mentions that. I know that I am not the only one who thought that Mack was a real person. Part of me feels like a complete idiot for trying to have an open mind about it, but there are plenty of other people who have not looked online and are still giving Mack the benefit of the doubt. It's also super dangerous because people are saying their lives are being changed because of this book. I think a large part of that is because people think it's real. Two, there are forums where people are talking about how The Shack changed their life. I casually looked through them and saw that there was very little talk about what the Bible, which by the way, is nonfiction, has done to change them. The Shack is nonfiction made by a guy writing to his kids. Why is this seeming to have more of an effect than God's Word? Three, they have set up this thing called "The Missy Project" in which they are sending this book out all over the world in like 30 or 40 different languages. I can't help but feeling critical about this. Again, where is the Bible in all of this? Sure there are themes in The Shack that I can learn from, but it is not a substitute for the real thing.
These are the thoughts I had after I finished the book, but one main one started from the beginning of the read and really blew up by the end. My dad has been preaching a series on the Holy Spirit. On Sunday, he talked about how the Holy Spirit's main job, goal, delight was to bring glory to Jesus Christ- to show through illumination of our sin, the glories of God's Son. I kept that in the back of my head. Did this book glorify God? Or did it glorify a man's redemption process? Just reading the book, I think that it did glorify God and the majesty of who He is. Nothing within the book itself seems to go against the character of God that I see in the Bible or that I know from my time with Him. But, I do think that people have put too much emphasis on this book and that does not reflect the Holy Spirit. Fans and readers are becoming awed by this work and it's author, and I don't even think that is what Young intended for it.
I want to end letting everyone know that the book itself was a good read and that there is a lot to grasp from it. Andrew and I talked last night about how there have been other books written that shed light into some aspect of being in relationship with God that are fiction that we can learn from and shift our paradigm, but we understand that it goes along with God's Word. From this book, I have a different outlook at what it means to be in relationship with people that I didn't have before. This book has also gotten me excited about the new heavens and new earth. I really hope though that people keep in mind that this story came out of Young's imagination and is not a substitute for what we can find in the Bible.
For those of you who don't know, The Shack is about this guy named Mack whose daughter was kidnapped by serial killer. Years later, he receives a note from God asking him to come visit Him at the shack where they found Mack's daughter Missy's dress. The book is about Mack's time at the shack and his encounter with God. In the forward, Young explains that Mack was his friend, that Mack claimed it all to be true, and that it wasn't his place to judge whether the story was true, but just to tell it. The afterward gives you an update on what has been going on since the story.
The book had a lot of good qualities about it. I definitely could resonate with some of the feelings and experiences of Mack, but there was something about it that just didn't sit well with me. It for sure made me excited about being with God, but I wonder how healthy that is. As I read the book, I wondered why this book was even published in the first place? Everything that was mentioned within it has been given to those who love Christ through the Bible, creation, and our own experience in the Holy Spirit.
So after reading it, I immediately looked up the website and was pretty saddened. One, Mack is not a real person. The whole story really is made up, but there is not one place in the book where it actually mentions that. I know that I am not the only one who thought that Mack was a real person. Part of me feels like a complete idiot for trying to have an open mind about it, but there are plenty of other people who have not looked online and are still giving Mack the benefit of the doubt. It's also super dangerous because people are saying their lives are being changed because of this book. I think a large part of that is because people think it's real. Two, there are forums where people are talking about how The Shack changed their life. I casually looked through them and saw that there was very little talk about what the Bible, which by the way, is nonfiction, has done to change them. The Shack is nonfiction made by a guy writing to his kids. Why is this seeming to have more of an effect than God's Word? Three, they have set up this thing called "The Missy Project" in which they are sending this book out all over the world in like 30 or 40 different languages. I can't help but feeling critical about this. Again, where is the Bible in all of this? Sure there are themes in The Shack that I can learn from, but it is not a substitute for the real thing.
These are the thoughts I had after I finished the book, but one main one started from the beginning of the read and really blew up by the end. My dad has been preaching a series on the Holy Spirit. On Sunday, he talked about how the Holy Spirit's main job, goal, delight was to bring glory to Jesus Christ- to show through illumination of our sin, the glories of God's Son. I kept that in the back of my head. Did this book glorify God? Or did it glorify a man's redemption process? Just reading the book, I think that it did glorify God and the majesty of who He is. Nothing within the book itself seems to go against the character of God that I see in the Bible or that I know from my time with Him. But, I do think that people have put too much emphasis on this book and that does not reflect the Holy Spirit. Fans and readers are becoming awed by this work and it's author, and I don't even think that is what Young intended for it.
I want to end letting everyone know that the book itself was a good read and that there is a lot to grasp from it. Andrew and I talked last night about how there have been other books written that shed light into some aspect of being in relationship with God that are fiction that we can learn from and shift our paradigm, but we understand that it goes along with God's Word. From this book, I have a different outlook at what it means to be in relationship with people that I didn't have before. This book has also gotten me excited about the new heavens and new earth. I really hope though that people keep in mind that this story came out of Young's imagination and is not a substitute for what we can find in the Bible.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Summer Lovin'
So it's time to update this thing. Summer is in full swing and although I don't have a job, I still feel rather busy and that I have some sort of homework assignment due. False. I have none and it feels great! Honestly, I'm really enjoying not having a job. This summer is by far completely dedicated to recuperating from the past year. Mostly, I've been getting ready for my sis' wedding, which in a week and a half. Crazy. Also, I've been journaling almost everyday which I am very proud about..... and it's actually doing me some good. I definitely think that I am finally really processing things and starting to feel relaxed again.
Things I am thinking and learning about:
The Church. I recently read Shane Claiborne's Irreristable Revolution. That book is by far one of the most convicting books I have read in a long time. I really loved what Shane had to say. It was so pure and simple. I think it's funny when people say that he is part of the emergent church, which I have many concerns about, because all he is asking is for christians to be real, to actually live like Christ. That's not emergent. That's just living what we believe (like we always say we are doing, but really aren't). Not gonna lie, even as a PK, I have been pretty disappointed in the church and even just within the last week, I've experienced some sad situations in my church. I've been volunteering at VBS and basically, I have been shockingly treated pretty rudely and the whole VBS itself is not where it could be. I have never been apart of something so disorganized and where the people helping honestly did not want to be there and don't really care where they show it or not. This is something that has made me pretty angry and it takes a lot to make that happen.
But, today as I was outside working, I was really convicted about how I felt. I mean things really do need to change and it is worth being upset about, but it was consuming my thoughts. I had to laugh because that morning, one of the volunteers was telling the kiddos about the 10 commandments, especially the 'Do not murder" one which means physically and mentally. Here I was just completely consumed in thoughts of how horribly I am being treated and how the kids deserve better. But you know? We all have been there where we lack social skills and hurt relationships. I for sure played a large part in hurting relationships recently. It happens to everyone, so I must forgive. And though I really don't want to go tomorrow. I will because I know it's right. I shall press on.....
I have many more thoughts about the church and all that is related, but that would take up like 5000 blogs. Talk to me if you want to know what they are. And I would LOVE to hear your opinions!
I'm going to India in January. It hasn't really sunk in yet, but I don't expect it to until I'm there. I'm super pumped for this experience and am praying that my heart stays focused on my desire to love others, not just on the fact that I am going to a different country. As I start reading and watching the bunches of materials they have given the team, I'm getting more interested in the social injustice going on there and other places. I have always thought of myself as someone who is concerned about issues, but it's really only been recently that I have really looked into it or had a desire to change it.
I guess overall, I am just learning what it means to really follow Jesus and how I can implement that without going to Africa and stopping poverty.
Goals:
-Make a new friend that is very different than me. I had a girl all picked out whose mom just had a heart transplant and works with my mom, but that fell through. No worries though, there is still plenty of summer left. :-)
-Stay active because I don't have a job and so it can be really easy to just lounge around all day.
-Do devos and journal everyday. So far, I'm doing pretty good with this one.
-Relax and allow others to pour into me.
-Invest in my family, especially my sisters and their new husbands. This is a hard one because although I really really like my new brothers-in-law and am super happy for my sisters, part of me feels that I am being left alone and that they are taking my sisters away from me. Totally not true, but at the same time, my family will never be the same.
I do believe that is all for now. It's weird not being at camp, this summer is still turning out to be a favorite.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Procrastination
I really don't understand why I don't just write in a journal instead of this thing but whatever. I'm getting bored with writing my rather large and abnoxious Pysch and Ed paper so I might as well return to this since I've fed my 10 pm hunger pains and there is pretty much no one on the wing right now.
Many ideas have been running through my head recently. This year has definetly been bombarded with a whole slew (I like that word.) ideas and issues to ponder over and question. This makes writing my paper rather difficult because everything I'm talking about (Spiritually among college students) I'm either facing or watching my friends face. Here are just a few of the things I've been thinking about: love, passion, compassion, service, social justice, race, purpose, duty, confrontation, contentment, joy, relationships, God, problems in the world, the poor, intentionality, image, responsibilty, being mentored and mentoring, truth, courage, being bold, saying exactly what I mean, being able to express emotions, friendships, and much more.
All this to say, I am very excited that it's almost summer and that as of right now I have no job. I know that when I get home, I'll get one, but it's great knowing that I can just relax and do whatever I want this summer. I think that considering that it's almost the end of the school year, summer will be a good time to process everything that I've been learning and experiencing this year. Right now everything is all disorganized in my head and I'm ready to put it together in some cohesive form. This semester has especially felt like I'm just zooming from one thing to another without anytime to really rest and it's catching up to me.
As of recently, I'm realizing how much I'm affected by the attitudes and actions of the people around me. This can be good because I can tell when people are struggling or can just get a feel for the mood and situation. But, at the same time, I can get really personal about it. I am by far a people pleaser and really hate when people are upset at me. Sometime when people seem distant or don't seem the same around me, I get super self conscious that I hurt them or did something wrong. I'm learning to be confident in what I do and say. This all sounds super egotistical, and it is, but it's also just a desire to give myself to others completely which really isn't always a good thing. People could easily step all over me.
With this, I'm seeing how horrible I am at expressing my emotions. For so long, I've been used to repressing any bad emotion and even some good. Part of this is because I don't know how to talk about myself. That sounds ridiculous right now because this entire blog has become devoted to writing about myself, but still it's true. Any time I try to express my thoughts, I always feel really confused and disjointed. But, I'm learning slowly thanks to the only reader of this silly blog. :-)
Typing all of this, I'm realizing how negative it sounds and know that past posts have sounded more down hearted too. So I want to leave this one on a good note.
In PA inservice a month ago, we were suppose to reflect on the year, so I pretty much made a pros and cons list. I was amazed to find out that I had more pros than cons and was super shoked. God is so amazing and through all that I'm learning, one big thing is that God doesn't just give us super hard things to deal with, but He intersperses encouragments too no matter how insignificant they seem. This brings me back to Psalm 23 where David says that not only will God lead through valleys of darkness but also green pastures and streams of living water. How exciting!
All this to say, I feel like myself again. I can be truly crazy again, and truly care and love again. Woohoo!
Many ideas have been running through my head recently. This year has definetly been bombarded with a whole slew (I like that word.) ideas and issues to ponder over and question. This makes writing my paper rather difficult because everything I'm talking about (Spiritually among college students) I'm either facing or watching my friends face. Here are just a few of the things I've been thinking about: love, passion, compassion, service, social justice, race, purpose, duty, confrontation, contentment, joy, relationships, God, problems in the world, the poor, intentionality, image, responsibilty, being mentored and mentoring, truth, courage, being bold, saying exactly what I mean, being able to express emotions, friendships, and much more.
All this to say, I am very excited that it's almost summer and that as of right now I have no job. I know that when I get home, I'll get one, but it's great knowing that I can just relax and do whatever I want this summer. I think that considering that it's almost the end of the school year, summer will be a good time to process everything that I've been learning and experiencing this year. Right now everything is all disorganized in my head and I'm ready to put it together in some cohesive form. This semester has especially felt like I'm just zooming from one thing to another without anytime to really rest and it's catching up to me.
As of recently, I'm realizing how much I'm affected by the attitudes and actions of the people around me. This can be good because I can tell when people are struggling or can just get a feel for the mood and situation. But, at the same time, I can get really personal about it. I am by far a people pleaser and really hate when people are upset at me. Sometime when people seem distant or don't seem the same around me, I get super self conscious that I hurt them or did something wrong. I'm learning to be confident in what I do and say. This all sounds super egotistical, and it is, but it's also just a desire to give myself to others completely which really isn't always a good thing. People could easily step all over me.
With this, I'm seeing how horrible I am at expressing my emotions. For so long, I've been used to repressing any bad emotion and even some good. Part of this is because I don't know how to talk about myself. That sounds ridiculous right now because this entire blog has become devoted to writing about myself, but still it's true. Any time I try to express my thoughts, I always feel really confused and disjointed. But, I'm learning slowly thanks to the only reader of this silly blog. :-)
Typing all of this, I'm realizing how negative it sounds and know that past posts have sounded more down hearted too. So I want to leave this one on a good note.
In PA inservice a month ago, we were suppose to reflect on the year, so I pretty much made a pros and cons list. I was amazed to find out that I had more pros than cons and was super shoked. God is so amazing and through all that I'm learning, one big thing is that God doesn't just give us super hard things to deal with, but He intersperses encouragments too no matter how insignificant they seem. This brings me back to Psalm 23 where David says that not only will God lead through valleys of darkness but also green pastures and streams of living water. How exciting!
All this to say, I feel like myself again. I can be truly crazy again, and truly care and love again. Woohoo!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Life is interesting. Seriously, anyone who considers it dull has obivously only stay in thier house and watched Winnie the Pooh over and over again. Interesting does not mean fun though. It does not mean that it's happy or that things are easy. Sure there are times when life is amazing and a party, but more often it is difficult and challenging. But it's still interesting, even thrilling.
Recently, I've been thinking alot about joy, which continues to draw me back to contentment. Joy is different from happiness. Being happy is a feeling; being joyful is a continuous state. I can be joyful even when I really messed up my Spanish exam and when I thought I got an A in Lifespan when I really got a B. I can be joyful when it seems like everything is crashing down and all I want is to get to Spring Break (5 days!). I can be joyful because I know that I am forgiven. I can be joyful because Christ is with me in every circumstance. I can be joyful because I am following my Savior.
I think this is something that Christians forget, at least I do especially recently. We get bogged down by all the horrible things that are happening in this world that we forget about the amazing things, like Christ's love, salvation, feeling the Holy Spirit, and so much more. Many times, we try to find joy in things other than Christ. That's the main problem. Only in Christ can we find joy.
In Philippians, Paul talks about "pressing on towards the goal." This is what he says: "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14) Paul doesn't look around to his experiences, present or past, for his joy, but looks to the finish. He looks towards that prize he will recieve. There he finds his joy: in Christ Jesus and in obtaining his goal of being with Him.
Recently, I've been really moody which is really unnatural for me. I honestly think it's because I have forgotten where joy comes from. I can't depend on my day to day life to fulfill me because that defiently won't. It has to come from Christ. That is what keeps us steady. He is what makes us content.
I leave whoever you are out there with this thought: Let Christ be your joy because everything else will fade. People will disappoint you and situations aren't always wonderful. But, Christ is supreme. He reigns no matter what the situation. He is unchanging. He is with you.
Recently, I've been thinking alot about joy, which continues to draw me back to contentment. Joy is different from happiness. Being happy is a feeling; being joyful is a continuous state. I can be joyful even when I really messed up my Spanish exam and when I thought I got an A in Lifespan when I really got a B. I can be joyful when it seems like everything is crashing down and all I want is to get to Spring Break (5 days!). I can be joyful because I know that I am forgiven. I can be joyful because Christ is with me in every circumstance. I can be joyful because I am following my Savior.
I think this is something that Christians forget, at least I do especially recently. We get bogged down by all the horrible things that are happening in this world that we forget about the amazing things, like Christ's love, salvation, feeling the Holy Spirit, and so much more. Many times, we try to find joy in things other than Christ. That's the main problem. Only in Christ can we find joy.
In Philippians, Paul talks about "pressing on towards the goal." This is what he says: "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14) Paul doesn't look around to his experiences, present or past, for his joy, but looks to the finish. He looks towards that prize he will recieve. There he finds his joy: in Christ Jesus and in obtaining his goal of being with Him.
Recently, I've been really moody which is really unnatural for me. I honestly think it's because I have forgotten where joy comes from. I can't depend on my day to day life to fulfill me because that defiently won't. It has to come from Christ. That is what keeps us steady. He is what makes us content.
I leave whoever you are out there with this thought: Let Christ be your joy because everything else will fade. People will disappoint you and situations aren't always wonderful. But, Christ is supreme. He reigns no matter what the situation. He is unchanging. He is with you.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Everyday Life
J-term definitely has a way of making a person think. It's probably due to the fact that during it you do completely nothing and some how can muster a "legitimate" reason to say that it's alright to be a couch potato. When you've watched 8 movies, started in on all the seasons of the Office, plus played the Office DVD board game twice, and have slept more in one day than over 3 months all in one week, there gets to be a point where your brain starts to be fulfilled with many thoughts- some very random, some deep, and others are the ones that you have been pushing off for forever. Due to being a random person, this blog could be interesting and might not make complete sense. I'm also getting hungry.
So, break was great. Again, not much happened which was wonderful. It's was great to spend time with family and just relax with no responsibility or stress. By far the best part was going to Indianapolis for New Year's. But every break is never long enough and I'm always dreading going back to school. It's quite frustrating because I know that I'm supposed to be at Taylor and that there are people here who love me and are life-long friends, but I still have a super hard time coming back to this place. I was talking to my sister, Julie, about this right before I left and she made me realize something about myself that I had never really picked up on before. I've always been ready to move on and to try new things. By the end of 6th grade, I was ready to get out of middle school (but come on, who isn't?) and then half way into high school, I was ready for college. Now I'm here and have experienced it all (some things way more than I wanted to) and I'm getting antsy again. I want to get on with real life, whatever that is. How is it that I'm still just a little sophomore, but I want out?
Is it because college hasn't been the greatest experience for me? Or because I want to be doing something meaningful? In which case, am I not doing meaningful things right now? That, by far, is not true.
In chapel on Friday, the speaker talked about the mountains and plains of our lives. Basically, what he said was that even if we aren't experiencing a high point in our life, if we're doing the day-to-day activities, it is still just as important- if not more. We still can do God's will; we can still do something meaningful. This really struck me hard. Right now, my boyfriend is experiencing one of those highs: jumping off cliffs, building relationships, being all holy in Indonesia. That's great- really great. I can't wait to hear of all the incredible things that God did through him and the rest of his team. But, how is what he's doing right now any more important than what I am doing here, even if I am stuck in Upland, IN? It's not. They are both apart of God's will. And I don't have to make J-term super meaningful through these great acts or finally breaking through to the girls on my wing. Just doing what God wants for me to do each day is enough, even if it's just hanging out with a wing mate and making silly movies.
So, I guess I'm learning to be content wherever I am. It's difficult for someone who is impatient, restless, and adventuresome. I clearly see that I am suppose to be here at Taylor, so why always be looking to the future when the excitement is right in front of my nose?
On a different note, this J-term is turning me into a morning person. Yay for suprises!
So, break was great. Again, not much happened which was wonderful. It's was great to spend time with family and just relax with no responsibility or stress. By far the best part was going to Indianapolis for New Year's. But every break is never long enough and I'm always dreading going back to school. It's quite frustrating because I know that I'm supposed to be at Taylor and that there are people here who love me and are life-long friends, but I still have a super hard time coming back to this place. I was talking to my sister, Julie, about this right before I left and she made me realize something about myself that I had never really picked up on before. I've always been ready to move on and to try new things. By the end of 6th grade, I was ready to get out of middle school (but come on, who isn't?) and then half way into high school, I was ready for college. Now I'm here and have experienced it all (some things way more than I wanted to) and I'm getting antsy again. I want to get on with real life, whatever that is. How is it that I'm still just a little sophomore, but I want out?
Is it because college hasn't been the greatest experience for me? Or because I want to be doing something meaningful? In which case, am I not doing meaningful things right now? That, by far, is not true.
In chapel on Friday, the speaker talked about the mountains and plains of our lives. Basically, what he said was that even if we aren't experiencing a high point in our life, if we're doing the day-to-day activities, it is still just as important- if not more. We still can do God's will; we can still do something meaningful. This really struck me hard. Right now, my boyfriend is experiencing one of those highs: jumping off cliffs, building relationships, being all holy in Indonesia. That's great- really great. I can't wait to hear of all the incredible things that God did through him and the rest of his team. But, how is what he's doing right now any more important than what I am doing here, even if I am stuck in Upland, IN? It's not. They are both apart of God's will. And I don't have to make J-term super meaningful through these great acts or finally breaking through to the girls on my wing. Just doing what God wants for me to do each day is enough, even if it's just hanging out with a wing mate and making silly movies.
So, I guess I'm learning to be content wherever I am. It's difficult for someone who is impatient, restless, and adventuresome. I clearly see that I am suppose to be here at Taylor, so why always be looking to the future when the excitement is right in front of my nose?
On a different note, this J-term is turning me into a morning person. Yay for suprises!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)