God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good

the Lord has really been teaching me what it means to rest in Him.  it is so peaceful to rest in His presence, even when there is chaos going on all around you in the world.  we don't know what the Lord has planned for our futures.  i've been learning not to focus on the past, and the things i wish i could change, as well as not focusing on the future, the job i will have, raising a family, the ministry i will be a part of.  God instead, has been teaching me to focus on him right now, in this moment.  i need to focus on where he has me RIGHT NOW.  if i am open and willing, he can use me right where i'm at.  i don't have to be married, live in another country, be a teacher, or in a titled ministry to be used by the Lord.  i am first and foremost a disciple before i am anything else.  as i go along and may obtain new titles in my life, i want this to always be my first and foremost title, a disciple of Christ.  He will equip me for the challenges that will come along the way.

lately, i have been so eager and anxious for things that my future may hold.  i know though that the Lord's timing is perfect and that his timing is a protection to me.  he meets me in the present moment, right where i'm at, so why am i so eager to know what my future will hold if He is here with my right now?  if i only ask, He will refresh me in the light of His presence.  i want to enjoy him every moment, not spend my life being anxious for the "next step."  He is with me and watches over me wherever i go.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:8-9

i have tasted and seen that the Lord is good!  i get to experience his living presence every moment of everyday.  he has given me a inheritance and a promise.  the longer i walk with the Lord, the more i see his goodness.  it is so easy to doubt his goodness when we face trials and adversity.  his ways are mysterious to us, so why do we try to understand if it isn't even possible?  his ways and thoughts are higher than our ways.  why do we even try to fathom his ways?  let's learn to enjoy him and experience his goodness at all times. 

Unexpected Turns

The best things in life are unexpected.  Also known as the next 5 or so years of my life. 

Today marks exactly one month since I have returned back to the good ol' U.S. of A from India.  Not to be a downer, but after starting my summer with an experience like that, things back in VA have been a tad bland.  But through this very uneventful, short, time in my life, I know that the Lord is still working and speaking just as clearly as ever.  I never thought I would be watching tennis all day with an elderly lady to keep her company, but alas, here I am.  For all the moments sitting and listening to tennis grunts, the sweet conversations I get to have with Ms. M about our Savior and everything He has done are in our lives make it beyond worth the inactivity of it all.

Our theme for our hall next year is "Run the Race."  While my RA partner and I both enjoy running, we are not simply talking about a race that you physically run.  We are running the "race of life" that the Lord has set before us. We don't run to receive a "perishable" wreath such as the world does, whether that be in money, sex, or "success."  We run to receive an imperishable prize, the eternal glory and inheritance that our waiting for us in our eternal, heavenly home.  As fast-paced as my "race" usually is, I am thankful that I have this short time to focus on the Lord, seek his will, and even glean some truth and advice from a sweet lady that has been walking with the Lord for quite some time now.

The next few months I plan to:
forgive
explore
be a giver
connect with a new friend
dance
eat healthy
treat myself
spend more time with my brother
continue my morning quiet time
get an awesome Chaco tan
reflect
go hiking
get stronger
have fun
limit myself to one cup of coffee a day
babysit
volunteer
be open-hearted
be open-minded (not philosophically, mind you.  both in things the Lord may or may not do)
do what I love and love what I do
learn
grow
eat more apples
have more adventures
keep running
be myself
love others
challenge myself
and sing more

Don't let the picture fool you.  I have not been to the beach yet this summer.  I really want to go, but it's not looking like it will work out.  But who knows, maybe a miracle will happen!

With my full-time job now, I don't have much free time.  With working almost forty hours a week, on top of my two online classes, it's safe to say I will probably be swamped during the next few weeks.  AH!

Also, I have been really wanting a pen pal.  If that sounds at all enticing to you, please comment or send me an email :) 

Perfectly Aligned

"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."  Ephesians 1:13-14

Friend, you are God's beloved child!  He knew you before the creation of the World and had a unique plan for your life.  Recently, I've been trying to concentrate on keeping in step with the Lord RIGHT NOW, rather then anticipating what He has for my future.  His plans for my life are only to prosper me.  

As followers of Jesus, our hope and future are not found in things of this earth, but they are found in eternal things, heavenly things.  Nothing can rob of us of the glorious inheritance that the Father has prepared for us.  We cannot imagine the glory that is waiting for us.  Let our main focus be staying close to God.  He is the one that knows how to perfectly align just what we need with his perfect plans and purposes.  

Abiding in the Spirit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..."  Galatians 5:22

The Lord has put his Spirit within us, the Spirit of joy!  This joy does not come from outward circumstances, whether that be material things or acheivements.  This joy comes from knowing and being in relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  As we learn to abide in the Spirit, he blesses us with these "fruits."  

Seek to live close to the Lord and be open to what He is doing in your life and heart today.  Ask for the Spirit to direct your thoughts and actions.  Focus on the Lord, for he goes before and He is beside us.  You will find these things, love, joy, and peace, only in His presence.