Overcomer

So sorry it's been a while since I last wrote. It has been a very busy past couple of weeks.

Two weeks ago, I went to Senior High camp with my church. That Monday I had an interview with the school I student taught at. I gave it over to the Lord, surrendering every possible outcome. The same day I got a call offering me the position of 4th grade Math and Science teacher! Praise the Lord! He is so faithful!

Recently on the radio, I heard the song Overcomer by Mandisa. Something stirred in my spirit and I immediately sent it to a friend who I thought it was totally for. Little did I realize that it was soon to be the song for my own season of life.

I have come to realize that I either pine over events or stuff them away. I'm a very passionate person and therefore either passionately pursue or passionately ignore things. (Can I find a little balance please? ) ;) One area I feel that I have stuffed away and just told myself to accept was a moment in the summer after my 3rd grade year.

I witnessed a horse back riding accident and from that moment on experienced extreme bouts of fear/anxiety and panic attacks. It may sound extremely odd to many people, but I believe that it was the beginning of a spiritual battle in my life.

The Lord has brought me leaps and bounds in my battle against fear. He has taught me the power of Scripture and prayer in the moments I am crippled with it. My God is strong and mighty to deliver, yet I have often just accepted the situation and honestly never dealt with the trauma of that day so many years ago.

You see the enemy does not want us to deal with traumatic moments in our life. However small it may seem to others, God does not belittle any event that hurt you. The enemy wants us to stuff away the trauma and ignore the problems we have because of it.

But God has something to say about this.

YOU'RE AN OVERCOMER.

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. WHo is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" 1 John 5:4-5

As believers we are born of God and therefore overcome the world and all the plots of the enemy against us. But in order to overcome we must "fight the good fight of faith" and hold tight to the life God has given to us (1 Tim.6:12). We have nothing to fear or dread because we are in Christ and He in us. We must choose to believe what God has told us, and have faith that we are indeed overcomers who already have the victory.

I realized last night as I went up for prayer at church, right now is as good a time as any to be rid of this trauma in my life. And there I went and laid it before the Lord, releasing a burden I have carried for too long. I repented of allowing the fear and anxiety to define me and have its way with my life, I forgave others who have fed the fear in my life, and I declared myself free in the name of Jesus. I felt a wave of courage and new life come over me as my friend led me in prayer. They said one word, "Overcomer," and my heart lept within me.

God told me in that moment, "You don't have to try and become an overcomer. You are an overcomer."

This whole time, all these years...I have been an overcomer. I was blind to this fact because of my fear, and that is exactly where the enemy wanted me to stay. But no longer. We are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37), we are overcomers.

If you have gone through any traumatic experience and still feel burdened by it, today is the day my sweet friend. Today is the day to let it go. God is faithful to deliver you. All you have to do is let Him take it. You were meant to live in the freedom and peace of Jesus Christ. Tell  Him right now that you don't want to hold onto it anymore. He won't make you keep it. :)

"The same man, the Great I AM,
the one who overcame death,
is living inside of you,
so just hold tight,
fix your eyes
on the One who holds your life
there's nothing He can't do

Don't quit, don't give in. You're an overcomer."
-Overcomer by Mandisa

Thankful Heart

Hello friends! I am back from a wonderful fun-filled week with sleep-talking jr. high kids, wolf spiders, and sunshine! This Monday morning, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude. The rain outside my window reminds me of the providence and care of our Lord. He certainly proves himself faithful time and time again.

Camp was truly an incredible experience. The Lord showed up every night and not only did he wreck the kids, he wrecked me. Ugly cry, snot and all. (Why can I not be a pretty cryer?) The Lord touched my heart in a way that I have not experienced in nearly a year. I knew after the last night that my life's desire is to be spent for God's glory.

I spoke one of the nights about passion. As I prepared for the talk, I looked back at my own life and saw how the Lord had developed so much passion inside of me. It is an uncontrollable emotion that exudes from the heart and cannot be missed by others. I realized that this very passion that wells up within me is the same passion that took Jesus Christ to the cross.

I received this passion from Him, and I in turn give it to others. The passion of Jesus Christ is contagious, and it is my every intention to spread it all across the world.

I saw over this past week the faithfulness of God. He was my energy when I had none, my strength when I was weak, my renewal when I felt done. He truly stood beside me as I sought his power this week for the kids. And He did not let us down.

It has been my dream for over a year now to see children encounter God as they did that last night. I saw kids called to ministry and missions. I saw kids in awe of God as they felt his manifest presence come down from Heaven. I saw the gates of Heaven open and the joy of the Lord pour out on his beloved children.

My God is faithful. My God is good. He delights in His children. All it took was a simple, "Yes." A yes to whatever God wanted to do that night.

Looking back at this week I am so grateful for my church family. I'm so grateful to witness jr. high kids experience the living God, and pass it on to me. I'm so thankful for my own family that the Lord is constantly perfecting and using to come together. I'm grateful for the blessings of a nice clean home ;) and modern conveniences. But most of all...I am grateful for a God who is intimately acquainted with His children.

It never ceases to amaze me how my God moves and changes hearts. His patience and compassion overwhelms me. I am still on the road to understanding God's love for me, but as I ask for daily revelation of His love, I see that I will never be able to truly comprehend this love. This week, however, I glimpsed his truly overwhelming love and the innumerable thoughts he has towards me.

How is it that I, a small speck in this universe, am so outrageously important and treasured by the God of all? How is it that He cares about the little details of my life? How is it that He can even see any good things, much less amazing incredible things in me? And yet He does.

I want to be the girl He sees. I want to be the girl He knows I will become. But as I sit here typing how I want to be this or that...I am reminded...I am just as He wants me to be.

So today I am thankful for who my God is and who I am because together we are perfectly one.

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty, and today I am thankful for Him.

Here is a free download I made. May it bless you and remind you that thankfulness breeds happiness.

Instructions:
1. Right click on the image
2. Click "Save image as"
3. Save to desktop
4. Print

Those Who Wait

Hello friends, and happy 4th of July week!

I pray that as we celebrate our nation's freedom, you are also able to celebrate the freedom you  have found in Christ Jesus. He is so good and so beyond all that we could ask or hope for.

This weekend has been full of fun and quite a bit of sleep, praise the Lord for that! Friday night we had our youth lock-in...13 hours with some of the most hilarious students I've ever known. Surprisingly, we all stayed up the whole night! Much to my brain and bones disliking...seriously though...I'm still recovering.

I cannot believe that today marks the first day of July. This year has flown by so quickly, but I am somewhat grateful for that. This year has come with some big challenges in many different areas, but as I look back at the past 6 months of 2013 I see my God ever faithful.

I find myself in this season of absolute hunger for the Lord. I feel very much like the Canaanite woman of Matthew 15. I am eager to eat even the crumbs that fall from Him. I want anything and everything that I can have of him whether it be his presence, his words, his encouragement, his love, his peace, anything. It's as if I cannot get enough of Him.

I know this is a good place to be, but I wonder at my getting to this point. When I sit back and look at where I am today, I realize that I really have no direction at this moment. I see myself as if I am in a small boat in the middle of the ocean waiting for orders of where to go. The ocean's vast expanse surrounds me and I sit waiting eagerly for any sign of where to go. The captain calls every now and then and I jump at the first sound of his voice, only to hear him say, "Nothing yet. Just wait." And OH how sad I am to sit back down once again and wait. Storms come and go, but my orders remain the same, "Just wait."

Friends...can I be completely honest with you? I don't really like waiting. Ok I really don't like waiting! I feel like I've been waiting my whole life, and my soul is finally about to burst. That's why I jump for every little crumb that falls from our Master's table. I am so hungry for anything I can get from Him.

I find myself sitting in this metaphorical little dinghy saying, "Please God, please just give me something to do! Anything. Anywhere. I'll do anything. Just let me do something for you!"

It is easy to become frustrated and discouraged in this place, I realize. After all, it is not quite in our nature to wait patiently. But it is then that I am reminded of Lamentations 3:25, "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him."

What a blessed reminder. The Lord is good to those who wait.

Waiting is in and of itself one of the greatest blessings. It envelopes a secret blessing that many do not wait to uncover. 

All throughout scripture the heroes of faith were those who had to wait. I am reminded of God's creation. No flower blossoms as soon as it is planted. No child is able to labor efficiently at birth. No, all of creation must wait to reach its full potential. Even a mountain does not start large. Everything must wait to be what it is destined to fully be.

And so it is with us. We must wait in that small little boat, learning trust, patience, peace, and faith. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

My God has said He is faithful (2 Timothy 2:13), that his word proves true (Psalm 18:30), and that he will not go back on his promises (Isaiah 55:11). "I have spoken, and I will do it" (Ezekiel 17:24) says the Lord.

And so as He has given me this hope, this very faith that I call my own; I can be assured that my God will not go back on His word. He has a reason for making me wait. He knows my full potential and intends to use it, but He also knows the beauty and blessing of making me wait. I do not know what lessons I have yet to learn in this waiting, but I know that what God has in store for me and for you is good. It is truly good indeed.

And so sweet brothers and sisters, I must ask for God's grace to wait faithfully where I am. To seek His face day in and day out. I long to discover the hidden blessing of waiting. I have hope in my Lord. He will not abandon or forsake me. He has not forgotten me here in this little boat. No, He watches over me and smiles at my silly impatience for He knows all that He has in store for me. He knows the adventure that awaits this little girl. 

Enjoy this free 8x10 printable I created as a reminder that the Lord is good to those who wait and continue to seek.

Doing Something

Hello friends,

Well here goes another week! I hope that you have had a blessed weekend. Mine certainly was life changing. My siblings and I went to two, yes TWO, Hillsong concerts this week. We couldn't get enough. The first one was in Dallas, but then we were hungry for more so we drove to Oklahoma City Saturday night for more.

It is absolutely heavenly to sing with all your heart and dance in the freedom of the Lord. I remember someone saying that if all Heaven is is singing to God 24/7 they don't want to go there. Well person who said that...if Heaven is only singing to God 24/7 then may I die today and begin immediately singing to him for the rest of all eternity. To sing in harmony with the Angels and all creation...Holy, Holy, Holy!!! I will never ever tire of singing to my most beloved, sweet sweet Lord and Savior.

That brings me to the life changing moment. About two weeks ago, I saw a movie trailer for Girl Rising. It is a campaign to raise awareness of the 66 million girls who do not have access to an education. The film follows 9 girls from 9 different countries. As I watched the trailer, something stirred deep within me.

For my college years, as I studied to become a teacher, I never really knew why I chose the major. I fought it for a couple years. But last week for the first time in my life I KNEW why God led me to become a teacher. This is why:

This precious girl's dream is to be what I already am. It was one the most humbling moments in my life. I have what many people dream of. What am I doing?

That question cut straight to my spirit. What am I doing?

It was in the moment I decided. I am going to do something. I am going to finally turn and look to my God and say, "Lord. I am ready. Send me."

I am saying YES to the Lord. I am ready to leave myself behind and follow Him. I'll walk the narrow road, hard and steep. I'll fall but grace will pick me up. HE is worth it. These precious little children are worth it.

I feel like I grew up last week. Like I grew into myself, who God made me. These past two years, I've begun seeing the fighter inside of me. I used to be so timid and fearful, shy and quiet. As I saw this warrior spirit within me, I became confused and didn't understand why God put this in me. But now I do, and I want to do something with this spirit God put in me. I am strong, brave, bold, and powerful because I have the very Spirit of God within me.

I have a roll in the redemption story of God.

"Each person is given something to do to show who God is." 1 Corinthians 12:7

I have something to do. You have something to do. Well I'm ready to do it. I'm ready to leave behind comfort, luxury, 1st world problems, and all the rest. I am ready to go. I told the Lord this. And what I heard broke my heart.

He told me, "Patience." And I butted in and said, "No, Lord! Please no, I'm ready!! Give me my orders. I'm so ready Lord. " Again and again He said wait, and I refused. Then he said, "Do you not think that I know my plan for you? Do you not think that I know the perfect timing? Do you not know that I will not make you wait one second longer than is necessary? Be patient, child. Do what is before you now, faithfully. My plan for you is near. Press into me. Prepare. For it will come."

I then was reminded that Jesus' ministry didn't begin until he was 30. I found such comfort in that. So I have been told to wait. But I will not wait quietly. I will do what I can in this place I am. I will support the orphans, I will give of what I have to change a life directly. I will look for the poor and needy around me and start there. But  most importantly, I will pray.

"Man is most powerful on his knees." - Corrie Ten Boom

"Prayer is more powerful than the forces that hold the planets in place. It can suspend the laws of the universe. There is no other power on earth that the enemy of souls hates and fears as he does prayer. 'satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees." - Matilda Andross

I see that God is giving me time to prepare even more, to know His word more, and yes...to pay off my student loans. Those dreadfully burdensome loans. But I believe in His faithfulness, and know that someway somehow He will provide for me to do so. I will work hard and faithfully in order that I might go whole-heartedly to the place that He calls me, whether it be here in America or in the mountains of Peru. I won't have loans weighing over my head. I will be free to live and love. I will be free to focus on Him and His redemption plan.

I am finally coming to understand James 1:27, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

This verse is my commission. There are 66 million girls who are being enslaved, abused, and married before the age of 15. I am called to rescue my sisters, to educate them, but most importantly to show them the REAL love of Jesus Christ, the Living God.

So are you ready? Are you ready to look at the Father and say, "Lord send me?" Perhaps you already have, and you are living out your calling already. Praise the Lord, and amen! How incredible! May the Lord bless your work and use you in mighty ways!

If you haven't yet, here are some ways to work alongside the Lord and follow His commission.

Pray - This is the most powerful and important part. Pray for countries, people groups, governments, etc. to experience the love and power of our Living God. Ask God to give people personal encounters, whether it be dreams and visions or interactions with believers, anything to open their eyes to the Savior.

Give - Here are some wonderful organizations that are already working for the Lord all around the world. I've had personal experience with them all and love them!

• Compassion International - I highly encourage you to support a child as a family or with a group of friends, or a church. It is an amazing way to directly change a child's life.
• One Verse - Help translate God's Word into languages that do not have access to it. 
• Feed My Starving Children - Help feed children who are living in poverty.
• Living Water Project - Help build wells around the world for people who have no access to clean water
• International Justice Mission - Help end the injustice of world slavery
• Tiny Hands International - Help build safe houses for girls rescued from human trafficking 
• A21 - Help rescue girls directly out of human trafficking

Research - Find a cause you are passionate about. There are thousands that you can support. Find out more about those passions or places you love and ask God how you can spread His Word through that interest.

Share - Tell everyone about what the Lord has led you to do and the amazing things He has done through it. When you are excited and passionate about it, others will become excited too.

For every person who is enslaved around the world, there are 85 believers (A21). What if every believer did something? "No one can do everything, but everyone can do something." - A21

You and I are everyone. We can do something. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." 

Take the step to do something. God will not let you fall. He is looking for one person. One person who will answer his question, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" Will you be the one who says, "Here I am, Lord! Send me!"(Isaiah 6:8)?

Words that Wash

Be kind. What does that phrase bring to mind? Someone holding open a door for a stranger? A smile? A touch? An encouraging word? 

This week the Lord has been opening my eyes to the power of kindness. 

When we become believers, we take upon ourselves the identity of Christ himself.  However, it is our responsibility to let this identity come out to fruition. A kind word or action can bring about a power that nothing else can. 

Kind words change things.

Sometimes we think that if we say something kind to someone we don't know or even do know, it will make things awkward. And for  heaven's sake, we have to avoid awkward!!! ;) 

In all reality, all it takes is a simple, "You're very kind. Thanks." "You have a beautiful smile." "Your hair is amazing!" "Thank you for doing your job with such joy." "You handled that customer so well. You're so patient." "Thanks for serving our community day after day." etc. The possibilities are endless. 

Do you know someone who naturally speaks to strangers with ease and always leaves others with smiles? Those people that can bring crazy encouragement and life-giving words to a waiter or cashier in just minutes? It's incredible, isn't it?  I always tell myself, I wish I could be like that.

Sometimes we think that we could never be like those gifted people. We feel that our small words are useless crumbs compared to the power others can speak to strangers. But we have to remember that the crumbs we give can be someone's meal. There is no such thing as a word without power. All words carry weight with them. 

Today after a lovely walk, my sister and I went to get some passion tea lemonade. The barista was probably in her late 30s, with soft features and blond hair. All of a sudden, I thought to myself how pretty she was. My natural tendency is to just keep this thought to myself, but all of a sudden I just blurted out, "You are beautiful." 

My eyes got a little bigger I think as those words left my lips, shocked at what I had just said. Her eyes did the same. We both kinda just looked at each other surprised. I can't help but laugh just thinking back to it. "Thank you,"she smiled. And then... I kept going. "Your makeup is done beautifully, and your eyes have a gorgeous sparkle to them. You are just so beautiful." 

Girls...I don't compliment people. I work at it, but it has never come naturally for me. So to hear these words flow from my mouth was quite a surprise. 

She looked at me and with tears in her eyes and said, "You don't know how much I needed that today." 

I smiled at her as my eyes were opened to the beloved child of God she was. She didn't look especially tired or worn out, but the Lord showed me that she was hurting. I smiled at her as I finished paying, and we wished each other a good day. 

A kind word. That's all it takes. 

This world is full of people who simply need a kind word. Jesus' words washed hearts clean. We cannot be God, but we can be his ambassadors and speak the same life he would if he were living on earth today. Every single soul that you pass by is hungry for acceptance, encouragement, love, and kindness. 

When was the last time a stranger spoke a kind word to you? I can't remember the last time that happened, but I do know that I want to be that stranger to others. 

One of my pieces in my new line coming out in June.

A Lamb

As I sit here and think about this holy week leading up to Easter, I look forward to a new season. Easter is such a beautiful picture of new life. It's only March but I can already look at this past year and see how the Lord has grown and stretched me.

I met with an old friend yesterday and shared with him my desire for change and more. It was so incredibly filled with grace that somehow he pointed out an issue without even pointing it out. By simply  sharing how he viewed his mistakes at my age, he opened my eyes to the mistake I was making. It may sound crazy, but to be rebuked was so refreshing. It wasn't even a rebuke, but simply a gentle lead into realization. I'm sure as I sat there sharing with him what I wanted to do and have happen he saw my faults, but rather than pointing the finger at me, he shared with me the wisdom he had gained over the past few years. It was through telling his mistakes that I realized I was in the very same place he had been a few years ago.

It felt good to be humbled. It felt good to be reminded I am so young and don't know it all. I realized I am that young head-strong college grad who thinks I can change the world because I know how things need to be done. When in all reality...I know nothing. I have very little knowledge, experience, or wisdom about the big business world. This realization was surprisingly a beautiful breath of fresh air.

Why is it that I have not been called out more for my mistakes? Or warned about mistakes I may be making? I wonder if people are afraid of calling out faults or mistakes for fear of being labeled as "judgmental" or "condemning."  But friends, I'm hungry for rebuke. I'm hungry for guidance. I'm hungry for someone to say, "Sophia, you are being foolish in this." I'm young. I'm proud. I think I know best. That is not ok. I long for someone to just be honest with me without fear of me calling them judgmental.

I am reminded of 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

We can learn through teaching and training, but without reproof and correction we are missing out. Scripture tells us that these things help us become competent well-equipped people. Without it we are puffed up and proud, ignorant and ill-equipped.

I saw this picture by Benjamin Hole, an English farmer. It struck me for so many different reasons.

My first thought was about how strong his hands are around that fragile newborn lamb. His hands are strong yet they cradle this lamb so gently. Sure strong hands. To me this is the image of the Good Shepherd. Our God is strong and sure. He is not weak, timid, shy, or feeble. He can protect us as Hole can protect this little lamb.

I love the whole image of Jesus being a shepherd. We as his sheep are foolish and stubborn. He is strong when he needs to be, yet he also has a gentleness to him. I want to trust in the hands of the Good Shepherd. I want to know that when he rebukes or corrects me it is for my benefit. I want to be open before the Lord, open to his guidance. I want to learn from Him.

So as Easter comes this year, I want to remember that Easter is not about a bunny. It is about a lamb. The Lamb who died as a sacrifice for my sins, that I may commune with my Lord and spend eternity growing in fellowship with Him. I want to be more like Him. I want to be pruned and refined. I don't want to be foolish, stubborn, or arrogant. I want to be as this humble, trusting lamb in the arms of my Good Shepherd.

May you feel the nearness of our Savior this holy week, and be reminded of the sweet sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. Blessings and love.

"I've Got Her Covered"

Today has been one of those "Where's my bed when I need it" type of days. But work called my name and off I went.  I scrolled through Instagram walking in and came across this beauty on Priscilla Shirer's page.

I think alot of us can relate. I think my own list looks alot like this one, with these added to it:

• To be healthier
• To be trendy
• To be initiative

But I realized at the end of the day none of those things matter. I don't really need any of those things on this list because when it boils down to it they will never satisfy. I don't need more skills, more clothes, more feelings, more wealth, more attention. I need Jesus. 

And I need him desperately. 

My soul yearns to be like Christ: holy, peaceful, patient, kind, compassionate, loving, joyful, faithful, trusting. I want to be like him...but everyday that I try, everyday of my life I fall miserably short of this goal. I tell myself "I need to be more like Jesus." 

But in all reality God wants me to be me, just as I am, weaknesses and all. You see I'll never be Jesus, I'll only ever be me, Sophia. And that is exactly what brings most joy to the Lord. I feel his pleasure most, not when I'm trying to find ways to use my gifts, but rather when I am just sitting at home using my gifts out of simple joy. 

Somehow...God loves me just as I am. He doesn't mind that I make mistakes over and over. He doesn't mind that I fail him. It doesn't make any sense to me either...so don't feel alone if this is confusing you. (It still confuses me 23 years later :) 

God knows my  heart and that I long to obey Him and bring Him the glory and my love. He loves me because I'm His. He doesn't expect me to be anything more or less than just His. 

I want to accept myself the way the Lord does. He sees me the way I will be in Heaven some day. Jesus prays for me now that I might hear the voice of the Lord and walk in His ways, and He gives me the strength to do it. But when I mess up or fail big time, God doesn't mind because that's when Jesus steps in and says, "I've got her covered." 

He's got you covered. His perfect life and death on the cross have covered you with the cleansing blood of Jesus. There are no catches, no tricks, and no secrets. You're covered. Free to live life as best you can with the help of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. 

Romans 6:1-2 says, "Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course  not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?"

Know that we will all fail, but His grace abounds. God notices when you are doing your best to obey Him. His grace is not that we will continue living in sin because we know He will forgive us, but rather it is a promise that no matter how many times we slip up as we seek to obey Him His grace will be deeper still. 

As I think about all the things I wish I were more of or sometimes feel I need to be, I am reminded that being me is quite enough because "me" is just what He loves most about me. :) 

So let's let go of all these "Need to be/get/do"s and let's hold on to the One who will never let us go. He likes you as you are, flaws and all. You are perfect to Him. He loves you sweet friend. Don't ever forget that: You are loved, important, noticed, remembered, special, and heard. 

Blessings. 

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.