Details

The longer you stay in a place, the more you can discover about the place, the more you can uncover the details that make the place complete.

During my travels, I have realized that it is more memorable and more enjoyable at the moment to visit a site with the intention of actually seeing it and uncovering it, rather than visiting just to say you did or thinking about the next site you need to check off the list.

In my opinion, a relaxed way of traveling is not only more enjoyable, but it is also more beneficial because you can begin to learn more about the details of each site, whether that be the history, certain objects or pieces within the site, or even hidden parts or walking paths that you wouldn’t have found if you were just rushing from place to place.

Details are important, and we are often too rushed to notice them. We often don’t stay long enough in each place to uncover the details.

Discovering the details helps us to really enter into a place or circumstance. Entering in deeper, spending time with one another past the everyday conversations, is how we really bring out the best in our relationships. God created each and every one of us so carefully and intricately, and with so much detail that there will always be something new to discover about a person. By digging past the surface in our faith, we can uncover more about God and His character. The longer we can be patient and stay in a difficult situation instead of taking the first path out we can find, the better chance we have of finding a crack of light within the darkness.

Details are helpful and allow us to dig deeper, don’t forget to take time to notice them within every realm of your life.

Everyone has their own walk.

Everyone has their own journey, their own calling.

Even if you don’t know your calling, you know that you have one. God calls us all to do something during our lives. Some of us are called to go far, while others are called to stay close to home. Some of us are called to take on great leadership roles in the church or community, while others are called to simply be a helping hand to their neighbor.

Whatever your calling, you should cherish it because it comes from God. I think sometimes we get caught up in specifically what our calling is, instead of focusing on the One who gave it to us. We compare callings. We say since this person is doing that, we should be doing more. But God doesn’t want that either. We are to be happy and humble, and not to compare other people’s callings to our own.

In fact, in reality, we all have the same, “united calling”: To glorify God with our lives. However, we all do this differently. We all have our own walk. We all go different places, have different jobs, different families, different lifestyles, all of which we combine into our calling. Many of us feel called to do different things in the future, and we focus on that instead of what is happening in the present. The majority of the time, our focus is all off.

Shouldn’t we be more focused on our “united calling”, and especially on the One who gave it to us, instead of what we feel individually called to do now or in the future?

Let us work hard not to fulfill ourselves and our own calling, but to glorify Him with our good works.

This verse was the theme verse last week for my church’s sermon. It reminds us to set good goals, and to be living proof of God’s presence in our lives. It reminds us to not work during our lives just to improve ourselves, but to lift His name higher.

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

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.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time…but I am not just talking about finals…

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:11

I have been reading over this verse as I study for finals. It pretty much sums up studying for me – it isn’t pleasant, in fact, it can be pretty painful at times. But, I know that it will all be worth it, and I will feel at peace when all my finals are done.

However, I don’t just want to talk about finals in this post. I want to touch on some more important things in life as well.

The verse above is found in Hebrews 12, a passage about how God disciplines us for our spiritual good. There will be trails in our life, and we will be bogged down by sin, that is why looking to Jesus and keeping our focus on Him is so important.

Sin. We all commit it, sometimes without even knowing we are committing it. A sin that is easy to miss is one that I find myself personally committing on a regular basis – selfishness.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4

Being selfish has to do with being too focused on me instead of on Him and how He has called me to bless others.

So how do I stop being so selfish? Maybe by thinking of one thing nice I could do for someone else today, instead of freaking out about how much studying I have to do to get a good grade on this exam. Maybe it is focusing on what gifts I will bless others with this Christmas, instead of making a list of all the things I “need.” It is hard to take the focus off yourself, but remember…

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:11

Now time for the best part of this post (and a time for a sentimental moment) – recognizing a few people in my life from the list of many that have done such a great job of taking the focus off of themselves, and in the process, blessing me greatly.

First is the worst (I hope you know I am kidding, I love you!)

 Zach – Thirty-one months ago you came into my life, and I couldn’t be happier. You have blessed me with your many puns, and on a more serious note, the way you care about me. Thanks for being my best friend.

First and one half (if that makes sense)…

Zach’s family – Along with dating Zach came meeting all his family, what a blessing! Some people don’t particularly like meeting their significant other’s family, but I have absolutely loved the experience. You have welcomed me into your home and invited me to family gatherings, shared stories, and blessed me by your kindness. Thank you. 

Second is the best.

Rachel – I can see God’s joy radiate just by being around you. You have definitely blessed me in more ways than I can count over my lifetime. If you could stop growing up I would really appreciate it.

Third is the one with the treasure chest.

My Family – Thanks for always being there, to laugh with me when things are funny and to support me and love me when things aren’t so funny. You don't get to choose your family, but I would have chosen you guys in a heartbeat if I had to make the decision. 

As we receive His blessing, and then in turn, take the focus off of ourselves to bless others…

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. – Hebrews 12:1-2

May He be your One Strength. All glory to Him. 

In Him

Spending time with God, being in Him, looks different every time. Often times after a busy week, I make sure to block off time to sit down and have protected time with God. I sit down someplace, usually with a cup of coffee, with expectations of exactly how this time is going to look, but it rarely ever goes exactly how I plan. God has different plans. I end up giving someone a call or writing a friend an email, or getting up and going for a walk instead of sitting down and solely reading the Bible or writing. And this is ok, because when God leads me a different way during my quiet time, I remember that I am to be a blessing to others. To get outside of myself, and interact with the world around me. To take His blessings and pass it on. It is a reminder that no matter where we are or what we are doing, we can always be in Him. We just have to make that simple choice to follow Him and where He is leading us.

This Christmas season…

Let’s remember to remain in Him. Making time to remember what the season means, and that without Him we cannot do what He has called us to do.

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. – John 15:4

Let’s learn to be content, in all circumstances. We can get caught up in “if only this could happen or if I could just get this for Christmas, I would be so much happier.” God has provided us with so much already, let us remember to use what we already have to bless others, not get caught up in having more.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. – Philippians 4:12

Let’s remember that because we are in Him, we can overcome. Reflecting on past holiday seasons, remembering those special people that won’t be joining us at the family gathering this year, can sometimes bring up feelings of sorrow. The realization of what is happening in our world today may bring feelings of fear, and thinking about what is ahead for the next year might make us feel anxious.

I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

We are to be blessed, be satisfied and be in Him.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  – John 10:10