It is true that God may have called you to be exactly where you are. But, it is absolutely vital to grasp that he didn't call you there so you could settle in and live your life in comfort and superficial peace.
-Francis Chan
This was my home church's status update on FB this morning.
I just threw up and I can't sleep. I was rejected today. I understand why and it's nothing I have control over. This is a matter of it wasn't meant to be. Nonetheless, it still hurts and it makes me sick.
At least I haven't put it off like the last time I dated someone. I delayed dealing with my feelings and it wasn't till much later that I realized it made me stressed and anxious.
So, let the breakup process and recovery begin.
6 So be truly glad.* There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Tonight in Small Group these two verses stuck out to me. This goes along with my last post about stress. Yes, I know these verses are referring primarily to people who were being persecuted and killed for their beliefs. I'm not being persecuted or killed, but I am being challenged. I've never really had to stand up and justify what I believe in on a regular basis. To claim why I believe what I believe to someone who knows as much if not more about Christianity than I do. It's challenging to argue for the cause of Christ. It's forced me to step back and evaluate myself and my actions.
In spite of the difficult month it has been - the stress or the challenging of my faith, the part that stuck out to me the most was the part that says "There is wonderful joy ahead." There is something great coming...there is rest, there is peace, there is joy...there are things beyond what I can imagine are good coming. I cannot wait for that day.
I saw The Black Keys this weekend at the Paramount. It was a great experience. Not only am I partially deaf, but I was blinded by all the lights! I love the music and I had a blast. It was also good to catch up with a friend who recently moved to the Boise, ID area. I was sad to see him go when he did, but I think the move has definitely been a good one for him.
On a side note, I have gone to see many a concert this year. I had the chance to see Arcade Fire on Wednesday. I didn't know the music going into the show, so it was a little more challenging for me to get into the same mood as the rest of the crowd. That show, was not just a band. It was an experience! It was artistic and creative and different. I loved that the band members switched instruments during the show. The imagry they used during the concert I probably would've understood better if I knew the songs, but it was still well done. It was all beautiful.
The week before I went to see Vampire Weekend at the Paramount. That band is also a great one to see live. I have to admit, I don't always understand what their songs are about, but I get a kick out of how eccentric the music is. I love all the rhythm changes and Ezra's voice.
What a great experience. I've never been so close to the performers before. I'm glad the person I went with has a penchant for standing extremely close to the front of the stage whenever given the opporunity. It makes for a great time....plus the company wasn't half bad. ;)
I'll hopefully, get some video up on my flickr account soon...till then...
-Cheers!
Lord, help me to accept the good and the bad. Help me welcome this year's challenges with a thankful heart. Help me to love fully and to give freely of my time to those around me; so that through me your work may be accomplished and yoru presence be made known.
I've been fairly stressed lately. Stress happens and it's a regular part of life. There have been many events I haven't been prepared for or didn't plan on happening. When my stress levels are like this it's hard to keep an open mind and a grateful heart for all of the events and outcomes, good or bad. I just want to stay on top of things...to just get by; I am in survival mode.
I want out of survival mode. I want to stop and enjoy all the wonderul things that have been happening. I want to be able to savor every moment with my boyfriend and each and every accomplishment. Instead I feel rushed. Like I need to be moving onto the next thing and am always thinking about things I still need to take care of at work or important things I need to do around the apartment. I have become very forgetful this past month and that's also been a source of frustration for me.
Normally, I am not that bad...I usually remember to pay my bills at the first of the month, remember my computer passwords, remember things I tell people or am able to quickly recall different situations and pull up resolutions at the snap of my fingers. That has not been happening lately and I've been struggling to keep up. I am ready for this 'season' to end and to start a new one...maybe one of rest. ;)
