Go ahead….keep ruining other people’s lives

It is not until you really care for someone that you start to impact them in such a powerful way.

It is then that you start to ruin their life, surely but slowly.

What you do may make them sad, mad and annoyed

Or happy, excited and proud – maybe even all in one day.

They may choose to go the extra mile for you,

Or stand back to let you shine.

Without even knowing it, you are influencing their thoughts or actions,

And you just can’t help it.

This is how you can ruin their life.

It is good and bad all at the same time.

Their life would be totally different without you, to say the least.

Maybe they would have less pain, maybe it would be a little easier.

They would have more of this, or more of that,

But less of you.

If they had to choose, they would always choose to keep you. Because less you means less love.

So go ahead,

Keep ruining other people’s lives.

For God has called us to love one another just as He has loved us.

And what is love?

What is the greatest love?

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – John 15:13

Cherish your friends. Love them. And ruin their lives with your love.

Why have “God time”?

Mornings are my jam, most of the time that is. All it takes is the final decision of – “alright, it’s time,” and then I am out of bed and getting ready as fast as I can to get to that morning cup of coffee.

With my coffee in hand, I pull out my journal (if you know me, you know just how much I love my journals), and Bible and I am set, ready to start the day just the way I like it. This routine is what I like to call my “quiet time” or “God time,” and sometimes it is the favorite part of my day.

It makes me feel good – having time to write down my prayers to God and putting my nose in my little blue backpack Bible.

But hold on. God time is not supposed to be about making me feel good or accomplished, but it is supposed to be all about God. It is about glorifying His name through my time. The prayers I write aren’t supposed to be just a way to get a worry or a frustration off my chest, but it is supposed to be a way of communicating with Him. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we are called to “pray without ceasing.” Think about a relationship you have in your life. Think about how important communication is in that relationship. Communication, simply talking with one another, is how we grow in relationship with others, and this is also how we are called to grow in relationship with God.

And the words of the Bible shouldn’t just make me feel good inside, but they should transform my thoughts and actions throughout the day. Obeying His laws give us joy, and trusting in Him give us hope. The Bible, the true Word of God, brings us so many good things. It teaches us, it surrounds us, it engulfs us in His love, and it serves as a lamp that shows us the way (Psalm 119:105).

So “God time” is not just about “feeling good” afterwards, but it is for all these benefits which ultimately lead back to glorifying Him.

It’s an open road, but where does it lead?

An open road ahead of me, but where does it lead?

               I can see a little bit ahead, but the air is foggy. I can’t see what is way up ahead.

                              I trust that the road continues, but where does it lead?

                                             What is ahead?

Danger? Excitement? A roadblock? An opportunity?

               Anxiety builds up at the uncertainty.

Jesus is sitting in the passenger seat, chuckling at my intuitions.

               He offers to take the wheel, but I decline, thinking I know what is best.

                              But the anxiety continues.

On the backroads, I let Him be in the driver’s seat.

               And then my anxiety begins to disappear.

                              My fears slowly fade away.

                                             I can enjoy the scenery and the ride, and not worry about what is ahead.

                                                            Because I know that the One Holy and Almighty is leading me.

But I take back the wheel on the highways, because I still think I know what is best when it gets fast.

               If only I would allow Jesus to take the wheel on the highways too.

                              Then I could experience a ride free of anxiety and full of peace.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

It is amazing how we can be so sure of our faith, that we can give Jesus the steering wheel of our life and He will lead us, even in the midst of hardship and uncertainty.  That is what faith is – believing without seeing, knowing that what we hope in is true.

2 Corinthians 4:18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Just a shift in focus off of what is of this world and onto God can change everything.

Maybe you haven’t been doing the best lately, but you are doing the best you can. That is all that really matters to God. If you keep trying, He will be the one to ultimately lead you to where you are to go.

This next semester, I will be studying abroad. This brings up feelings of excitement, but also of fear and anxiety. But I know He will be the one guiding my path.

I have created a new blog where I will share my study abroad experiences. Appropriately titled One Chance, it includes a theme verse from Joshua 1:9. Check it out here: http://onechance19.blogspot.com/

Thank you to all those who have supported me thus far in my writing. I hope you are inspired to allow Jesus to be the driver of your life, and I pray that your open road is filled with joy even amongst difficult circumstances.