Life

"You never know why you're alive until you know what you would die for."- I would die for you by Brent and Deanna Higgins

I just finished one of the most honest and incredibly encouraging books I have ever read. I would die for you is the amazing story of a boy named BJ who would be my same age. He lived his life so passionately for the Lord and even brought people to Christ after his death. I greatly encourage you to read this book.

As I flip through the book rereading the passages I marked and starred, I am reminded of the faithfulness of God to teach us his truths and his character.

I get so tired of this comfortable world that I live in, and my day to day routine that I just "get through" so I can start another day that I live in the exact same way. Why are we living each day just to "get through" it? This is not how we are meant to live, NOT AT ALL. I'm tired of college being about school and getting through the tests and just getting a passing grade. I'm tired of college being coined as the party hard and go crazy phase of life. That is exactly what the enemy wants us to believe and live. He sees his plan is working and his distractions are getting the best of our college generation.

I'm ready for a change, I'm ready to wake up every morning and instead of asking God to help me stay awake in class and do well on my presentation, I want to ask him to bring people into my life and present opportunities to glorify his name. That is what life is about! If you are past the age of 20, or even i don't know 15, you have tried it all and realized, "man...this world doesn't satisfy me." That is the best point to get to because it is then that you realize there must be more.

And BOY IS THERE MORE! Christ has the most amazing life in store for you!

John 10:10 states, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Our God is not a God of anger or condemnation. He is a God of LOVE and blessings. He wants to bless you in ways that go beyond your understanding. Oh friend, how he longs to show you his steadfast love! He is waiting for you to leave behind the burdens you have willingly chosen to carry. Let them go and leave them behind! For Christ's "yoke is easy, and [his] burden is light"(Matt.11:30). He longs to be gracious to you.

He asks nothing of you but your love. When you love him you begin to obey him. So many people think that Christianity starts with obeying and following rules. It isn't that way! It is meant to start with LOVE! Christ loved you first, then you love him. When you love him you desire to make him happy and you desire what he desires. And when you desire what he desires, obedience follows. You obey out of your love.

He knows life is hard and challenging. He does not take lightly the hardships of our life, but he knows that He is the answer. He has given you the answer to life. Let us not pass by this gift of absolute joy and satisfying abundance.

What is the first thing you think about when you wake up? "For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also"(Luke 12:34). I pray that Christ is your treasure, for the thing you treasure most in life is the thing you live for. But is that thing you live for really worth dying for?

Is it worth giving your life for?

Christ is. But he won't ask of you what he himself did not give first. He gave you his life. How can we not give ours in return to the one who gave it all that we might have it all?

You are loved. He saw you worth dying for when you were covered in selfishness and sin. How can we not see him as worth dying for when He is perfect love?

What is it that your life shows you would die for?

"Lord, I don't ask for a long life, but a full one like yours, Lord Jesus." - Jim Elliot

I pray we live our lives for God's glory the way Christ did. For that is indeed a full life.