After a few short days of being back home in Arkansas,
I quickly I realized that I was back to
the real world.
Blah.
I've dreaded my summer coming to an end and no longer being a youth intern. I went in with all my walls d o w n and my heart and eyes focused on simply growing the kingdom of Christ but, what I did not expect was a total life changing experience that kind of actually snuck up on me.
I dreaded coming back to this "real world" and coming back to a college that I honestly didn't enjoy as much as I would've hoped to my freshman year. Looking back now, I realize my faults. I realize now that I went in last year looking to make tons of friends and meet my future spouse and just have a great time and constantly focused on myself and what college was gonna do for me. Of course, it's not a crazy outlook after all... I am going to college for MY education to fill MY dreams and live MY life. But, after serving this summer going in with absolutely no focus on myself... I found something I had never experienced before.
You know the song I wrote about a few blogs back? Beautiful, beautiful? It talks about how "there's a joy inside I can't contain"... well that's exactly what I found. I had many fears as I took off on this journey but once I was there I gave my whole heart, time, and energy to investing in these students lives. One day, I happened to look up and notice I had gotten all the things I had strived so hard to find all year. I had more friends than I could count on two hands, a new family (as I like to believe all my fellow interns & youth staff were), and never did I wake up wishing time to pass but instead I enjoyed fully and wholeheartedly every single day for what it was... it was rare for me to not have a smile on my face, even if it was early in the morning there was this joy inside I just couldn't explain or contain.
I didn't go into the day thinking "God, do this for me today. Help me have fun, help me blah blah.." , I went into each day saying "Lord, show me how I can show Your light to these students today and how I can better Your kingdom." Although, I've been taught it my whole life, putting others first does make for a LOT more enjoyable life. When you put your focus on others, and how you can please God, He TRULY takes care of everything else.
I dreaded going back home to the same routine I lived all year. But, what I quickly found is after a summer of consistent prayer... my God was preparing a place for me right here back at home.
Shortly after being home, I got a call confirming that I was going to be a youth intern at Second Baptist Church in Conway and was invited to be a part of the Second Baptist College Leadership team. I am so excited!
I quickly was reminded that it doesn't matter what school I'm at, what state I'm in, what church I'm serving... there are people right in your surroundings who need to hear God's word. God had me come back for a reason, and now He has set me up with a new internship and a new group of students and instead of dwelling on my summer ending and wanting to be back in Mississippi, He is calling me to rise up and when He calls you can't simply turn the other cheek to fulfill the desires of your heart but, you must pick up your bags and go wherever He asks.
Instead of simply turning my nose up and believing Conway is just not for me (in case you haven't caught on, I greatly considered transferring to a college in Mississippi) I am going to be grateful of where God is calling me to be and instead of wasting time away wishing for selfish things from my school, I'm going in with a new outlook. I'm going into life in college asking God what I can do to show His light in my town and school and how I can better His kingdom this year, trusting that everything else will fall into place if I am obedient of what Christ is asking of me. I don't care how dumb I look, sound, act... I am lucky enough to serve the God of heaven who sent His son to die for my sinful self!!!! How can you not want to give Him all you got?!?
I don't know how many people actually read my blogs, but to all of you out there heading back to your colleges or jobs or high/middle schools, whatever it may be.. I challenge you to make this year different as well. The simple things matter and every moment is an opportunity to share Christ in some way. We are put on this earth for one purpose and that is for our Heavenly Father. What are you doing to better His kingdom?
Love. :)
I quickly I realized that I was back to
the real world.
Blah.
I've dreaded my summer coming to an end and no longer being a youth intern. I went in with all my walls d o w n and my heart and eyes focused on simply growing the kingdom of Christ but, what I did not expect was a total life changing experience that kind of actually snuck up on me.
I dreaded coming back to this "real world" and coming back to a college that I honestly didn't enjoy as much as I would've hoped to my freshman year. Looking back now, I realize my faults. I realize now that I went in last year looking to make tons of friends and meet my future spouse and just have a great time and constantly focused on myself and what college was gonna do for me. Of course, it's not a crazy outlook after all... I am going to college for MY education to fill MY dreams and live MY life. But, after serving this summer going in with absolutely no focus on myself... I found something I had never experienced before.
You know the song I wrote about a few blogs back? Beautiful, beautiful? It talks about how "there's a joy inside I can't contain"... well that's exactly what I found. I had many fears as I took off on this journey but once I was there I gave my whole heart, time, and energy to investing in these students lives. One day, I happened to look up and notice I had gotten all the things I had strived so hard to find all year. I had more friends than I could count on two hands, a new family (as I like to believe all my fellow interns & youth staff were), and never did I wake up wishing time to pass but instead I enjoyed fully and wholeheartedly every single day for what it was... it was rare for me to not have a smile on my face, even if it was early in the morning there was this joy inside I just couldn't explain or contain.
I didn't go into the day thinking "God, do this for me today. Help me have fun, help me blah blah.." , I went into each day saying "Lord, show me how I can show Your light to these students today and how I can better Your kingdom." Although, I've been taught it my whole life, putting others first does make for a LOT more enjoyable life. When you put your focus on others, and how you can please God, He TRULY takes care of everything else.
I dreaded going back home to the same routine I lived all year. But, what I quickly found is after a summer of consistent prayer... my God was preparing a place for me right here back at home.
Shortly after being home, I got a call confirming that I was going to be a youth intern at Second Baptist Church in Conway and was invited to be a part of the Second Baptist College Leadership team. I am so excited!
I quickly was reminded that it doesn't matter what school I'm at, what state I'm in, what church I'm serving... there are people right in your surroundings who need to hear God's word. God had me come back for a reason, and now He has set me up with a new internship and a new group of students and instead of dwelling on my summer ending and wanting to be back in Mississippi, He is calling me to rise up and when He calls you can't simply turn the other cheek to fulfill the desires of your heart but, you must pick up your bags and go wherever He asks.
Instead of simply turning my nose up and believing Conway is just not for me (in case you haven't caught on, I greatly considered transferring to a college in Mississippi) I am going to be grateful of where God is calling me to be and instead of wasting time away wishing for selfish things from my school, I'm going in with a new outlook. I'm going into life in college asking God what I can do to show His light in my town and school and how I can better His kingdom this year, trusting that everything else will fall into place if I am obedient of what Christ is asking of me. I don't care how dumb I look, sound, act... I am lucky enough to serve the God of heaven who sent His son to die for my sinful self!!!! How can you not want to give Him all you got?!?
I don't know how many people actually read my blogs, but to all of you out there heading back to your colleges or jobs or high/middle schools, whatever it may be.. I challenge you to make this year different as well. The simple things matter and every moment is an opportunity to share Christ in some way. We are put on this earth for one purpose and that is for our Heavenly Father. What are you doing to better His kingdom?
Love. :)
