All That Matters

I've been reading/studying Ephesians for a few weeks. A recurrent theme is the putting away of old self and putting on the new self that comes as a result of Christ's love and sacrifice. Each day I can choose to die to self and to live for Christ. I have to make a conscious decision to choose Him, everyday. At the end of the day and during the day, all that matters is Christ. There is nothing else that comes close to Him and his miraculous and sacrificial love that consumes us. I get caught up in the little daily routine things of life instead of asking myself, What does God want for me today? How am I going to glorify Him? Freak accidents happen, unexplainable suffering occurs but one thing that remains is God and His love. Does it matter if I'm dating or single, working, alone, healthy, suffering, doubtful? All that matters is Christ. Knowing Him, really truly knowing Him and seeking Him daily is really what life is about.

"Imitate God therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children." Ephesians 5:1

Great Friends

With having moved around some, I find myself with an accumulation of really good friends. I went to a concert Friday with one of my best friends, Elina. We were talking about our closest circle of friends, our "best friends." It got me to thinking about who are those people closest and dearest to me. I know how much I have relied on my friends throughout the years, particularly during college and even more so now as a full-fledged adult. My Christian friends are an extension of Christ's love. I was thinking tonight on my drive home from Kyle and Melissa's about all the people's homes I've been in over the years, all the meals, conversations, laughter and tears that have been shared and I couldn't be more grateful. I want my home to be that for anyone, anyone who needs a listening ear, a warm meal or just a place to rest. I'm so thankful for all the relationships God has blessed me with.

Ephesians 4:21-24

 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, ²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.


Words written by Paul that speak so true. Key reminders to each day, I am not who I was. Christ has brought the change and I don't have to be who I have been. I am made new each day. Thank you, Lord. 

Beautiful

This song has been on my heart and in my head today:
You can listen at: Beautiful by Bethany Dillon


I was so unique
Now I feel skin deep
I count on the make-up to cover it all
Crying myself to sleep cause I cannot keep their attention
I thought I could be strong
But it's killing me

Does someone hear my cry?
I'm dying for new life

[Chorus]
I want to be beautiful
Make you stand in awe
Look inside my heart,
and be amazed
I want to hear you say
Who I am is quite enough
Just want to be worthy of love
And beautiful

Sometimes I wish I was someone other than me
Fighting to make the mirror happy
Trying to find whatever is missing
Won't you help me back to glory

[Chorus]

You make me beautiful
You make me stand in awe
You step inside my heart, and I am amazed
I love to hear You say
Who I am is quite enough
You make me worthy of love and beautiful

Confidence in Christ

I decided to stay at my current job. I'm praying that when the time is right, the opportunity will come up again to do what I am completely passionate about. I've taken the "responsible" road and am confident in my decision despite the disappointment I feel. Jobs will come and go, but one thing remains constant: Christ. No matter where I may be working or living, or the people in my life, Christ remains the same. His love is constant despite my imperfections and decisions that I make. I pray to honor God with my decisions and He is there even when I don't always follow through. Christ's love is something I will  never completely and full understand and often feel like I don't deserve it. But I am thankful for it nonetheless. Even when I am disappointed about walking away from something that would have been great, I know that Christ is really all that matters. My most cherished and valued friendships are a direct result of Christ. I know God is in the grand scheme of things, but the friendships that have continued after several moves and many miles apart are sustained because of one common factor: Christ. I have a few friendships where Christ isn't the common factor that I still value. But when it comes to my relationship with Christ, it's hard to fully explore and understand that avenue. Hope and confidence in Christ make a difference.

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. Hebrews 6:8

Finances

Money is something we all need to make it through this world because of the way our society operates. As a recent working adult I've had to learn how to budget my finances and understand some of the struggle behind doing what is necessary and what I want. We don't like talking about money. I don't know what I expected things to be like once I started working and all my school loans came in. I have an amazing opportunity to have a job that I love and that is pretty much exactly what I want for my career. There's one drawback: money; paying back my current employer for the bonus I received if I leave before next October. It's an awful situation, the stress is continually building and I need to decide: do what I love and be even more financially strapped or stay where I am, doing "OK" every day and maintaining my meager lifestyle. Part of me believes there is a reason for all of this; if I leave, I will be exercising my faith that God is going to continue to provide and my finances really aren't "my finances" They are His. Or if I end up staying I will view myself as making the "responsible decision" and toughing it out. I sometimes have this mentality that I need to do things that are hard or challenging just to prove I can do it, it's very selfish and conceited. I feel like I have to prove myself to myself. I don't know where this idea comes from. So here I am, contemplating back and forth. Then I realize that that is no way to decide. So I pray and ask God where he wants me and what He wants for me. I do not want my decision to be guided by money or "sucking it up" at my current job. But where does God want me to be?