"Give this warped world a little taste of heaven on earth by graciously accepting the hand life deals you. In the dense, immoral fog of this generation, shine your life as a beacon, guiding others to the goodness and grace of God. Though this world is polluted, live in spotless purity, uncontaminated by all the garbage around you." - Philippians 2:14-15 (paraphrased).
I had a lot of time on my train/bus ride down from Fresno to San Diego. Instead of sleeping, I was up all but the last hour of the 7-hour trip reading When God Writes Your Love Story and my Bible and writing in my journal. It was such a profound experience. I obviously had the option to rest so I could be alert for the following day, but I felt so free from obligations and restrictions that I just had to take full advantage of the time and commune with God.
I can't say that God changed my heart about a ton of things during the trip but in a way, He elevated all of the things that I had already realized. Some of the things that were tugging at me heart before, now feel like massive weights and I just can't ignore them anymore. So that's what is new for the year 2008... Me. Allow me to explain:I was asked where the emphasis was in my life and my answer was:
- schedules/deadlines, school requirements, church obligations, CYT and YMCA as jobs, crushes on/obsessing over boys, and
my relaxation time.
Then I was asked where the emphasis
should be:
- GOD; either through Flood:worship and college group, through ΑΔΧ:as a light and for accountability, and through His word!!
I guess you could call that a wake-up call. Lame that I needed to put it into words to realize it but at least I had that! So I kept journaling...If Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego could give up their LIVES for God, I know there are things that I should give up. I'm not of this world and I often find myself indulging in the things of this world. I'm not perfect and this isn't every single thing I need to let go of but this is the start, for now:
- televisions shows such as Gossip Girl, Desperate Housewives, and anything else that I feel promotes things such as fornication or infidelity.
- movies such as the Holiday, 40-year-old Virgin, Knocked Up, or any other movie that bases the story on sex (whether it's a chick-flick or not). It is something I can't watch without being partly convinced that it's good. The Holiday was a beautiful story and because you relate to the characters so much, you almost want to reaffirm the validity in the sexual relationship they had. I don't want to think that way, so I don't want to watch movies of that kind.
- music with messages contradictory to my own beliefs. I'd love to take in all music as a cultural experience, but I don't want to allow myself to sing along to lyrics about sex, drunkenness, drugs, and such. So I will be going through my itunes and unchecking a ton of songs (not artists)... If ANYONE would like to help me in any way, that would be much appreciated!
- most importantly (and would help me with the above), the need to conform to the world OR my christian brothers and sisters. My walk is different from anyone else's so it shouldn't be influenced by anyone but God. This is most important in the areas of cursing, crude discussions, and acting or dancing in ways meant only for my future spouse.
I know, I'm long-winded and I apologize but if you are still reading at this point, I hope you write a comment. I'd love to know what things you're going to changing for 2008. That being said, here's the hardest change I have this year:God treasures our purity for reasons beneficial to us! He loves and cherishes it and continues to do so, even when we do not. So will my husband. Knowing that what I'm doing now matters to God and my future husband, how can my life reflect that?
- I can find the acceptance and reassurance that I crave from God.
- I will no longer look at myself as
single and up for grabs but
betrothed to Jesus and my future husband.
- As someone who is
taken, I will not pursue after men and rather allow my future husband to seek me out and pursue me. I'm not sure what that means for future relationships, but I'm going to trust that God will reveal that to me when it's time.
- I don't simply want his
head to turn, but his
heart as well!
So, that's it. That's a lot but that's it. They are not resolutions, but life changes. I am BOUND to mess up, but I'm not going to let that stop me from trying again!"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." - Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV).
LION here waiting for you, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.
