Saturday, February 4, 2012

Stupid Bubble

When I first came to Medaille (college in Buffalo NY) I was nervous and excited. I was as ready as I could be to face the world! After the first three days of fun, like riding in a dryer and watching movies with new friends, the “fun” of college was lost. My time was consumed by homework and studying and trying to keep my physical mind and body from exploding.
I’ll admit that I have been sheltered my whole life. So coming to college was a wake-up call. I immediately was labeled as the “religious girl” which is fine to me, as long as those saying it know that it’s a relationship with God, not a “be good to get to heaven religion”.
I was really excited to join the Christian group on campus called InterVarsity. However, the group is quite small, and many times we would just socialize. To me, the sessions were meaningless without prayer and digging into the Bible. I wanted to be encouraged by others who were facing the same temptations I was.
Finally, by the end of my first semester I gave up. I told God that I could face and avoid temptations on my own, and that I was just going to get through college to get my BS and be an LVT. I didn’t care if I had friends or made an impact. I wanted to be selfish, because that is the easiest road to take.
Of course God had other plans, and when I began my second semester He threw some awesome events my way. The very first meeting for IV one of our leaders, BT (Brian Tofflemire), shared from Jeremiah 29 verses 1-14. These verses talk about what God has planned for His people who are in exile. God reassures them that He will fulfill His promise. He has plans for them to “prosper and not harm, to give hope and a future”.
I have heard that verse so many times, but every time I was missing the big picture! In the verses before that, God tells them not to live in depression, but to embrace where they are, increase the population, plant gardens, and have fun! God wants them to have peace and to prosper WHERE THEY ARE. Yes, He is going to make their futures great, but why live in agony waiting for that to happen when you can live in the moment?
Why did I want to be selfish and stay in my little intellectual bubble for 4 years when I could make friends and lead people to Christ?
BT put a giant paper on the wall and made a chart of circumstances (categories) and the way that the exile would think versus the way a missionary would think.



To live in the moment, we need to think and act like missionaries. Believe that there is a purpose to where you currently are; ask God to open up your eyes so that you may see where He is working and wants to work; pray for those that are RIGHT THERE (on campus, church, small group, teachers, fellow students, dorm buildings, team members, etc); know what your mission/goal is; pray for something amazing to happen; and when you leave, don’t you want to look back and see your footprint?
I challenge you, as I am trying to do this myself, get on your knees and open your heart to God. Let Him use you. Get over that fear and selfishness that the Devil loves to put on our shoulders. God has amazing plans for us! But if we’re only thinking about ourselves, our future won’t matter when we get there.
Seek God in every moment. He’s always there, shining a light not only down the road, but a spotlight on you right now.
(PS: InterVarsity is amazing now, and I can’t wait to see how the Lord leads us on campus!)

Friday, February 3, 2012

I Believe..

I Believe... 
That just because two people argue,
 
It doesn't mean they don't love each other.
Likewise, just because they don't argue,
It doesn't mean they do love each other.
 
I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if
We understand that friends change.
 
I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is,
they're going to hurt you
every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.
 
I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow,
even over the longest distance.
The same goes for true love.
 
I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.
 
I Believe....
That it's taking me a long time
to become the person I want to be.
 
I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words,it may be the last time you see them.
 
I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
 
I Believe...
That we are responsible for what we do,
no matter how we feel.
 
I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
 
I Believe...
That heroes are the people
who do what has to be done
when it needs to be done,
 
regardless of the consequences.
 
I Believe...
That my best friend and I
 can do anything or nothing
and have the best time
.
 
I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're
down will be the ones to help you get back up.
 
I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with the experiences you've had
and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
 
I Believe...
That it isn't always enough
to be forgiven by others,
 
sometimes you have to learn
to forgive yourself.
 
I Believe...
That no matter how badly
your heart is broken,
 

the world doesn't stop for your grief.
 
I Believe...
That our background and circumstances
may have influenced who we are, but
we are responsible for who we have become.
 
I Believe...
That you shouldn't be
so eager to find out a secret,
it could change your life forever.
 
I Believe...
Two people can look at the same
thing and see something totally different.
 
I Believe...
That your life can be changed
in a matter of hours
by people who don't even know you.
 
I Believe...
That even when you think
you have no more to give,
when a friend cries out to you,
you will find the strength to help.
 
I Believe...
That credentials on the wall
do not make you a decent human being
.
 
I Believe...
That the people you care about
most in life are taken from you too soon.
 
I believe..
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything,
they just make the most of everything they have.