I've been trying to think of ways I can be more present these last few months at Texas A&M but if we're being honest (and I feel like we have an honest relationship), I already knew.
I need to put down my phone.
Whether I'm walking to class, riding the bus to/from campus, or waiting to checkout at the 1/30 checkouts that's actually open in Walmart, the easy thing to do in this technological world is pull out my phone to occupy my time. "What's wrong with that? There's nothing else to do while I'm waiting! If you're not on your phone, you're just going to be sitting/standing there awkwardly in silence because everybody else around you will be on theirs." That may be true, but is it right for me to think like that? Is it right for me to believe my Facebook news feed or Pinterest page are more important than what's happening right here, right now, as I get from place to place? Common sense tells us to keep off our phones when we're spending time with others...but I've recently realized (AKA: been convicted of the fact) it's just as important to refrain from my phone as I make my way from Point A to Point B as it is to keep off of it when I arrive at my destination, whether that be the bus stop, the checkout counter, or the MSC (Memorial Student Center)!
I need to put down my phone.
With that being said, for the past week or so I've been trying to get into the habit of walking with my phone in my backpack instead of my hand/pocket so I'm not tempted to pull it out because I am guilty of getting on my phone to occupy my time as I wait! I'll be honest...it was difficult at first because I would often revert to my phone without even realizing it! However, the more intentional I am, the easier it gets! I now notice the group of squirrels gathering acorns in Academic Plaza and the smiling baby bouncing joyfully in the buggy behind me in line at Walmart hoping I'll look at her so she can show me what she recently learned - the floppy wave. That may be a little dramatic because I'm not on my phone that much, but you catch my drift...it's still too much! TOO MUCH, I SAY! I don't want to look back on my time at Texas A&M and find myself wishing I had used it differently. I don't want to miss an opportunity to smile at someone who is feeling hopeless, hug a classmate I haven't seen since sophomore year, strike up a conversation with God (because we can NEVER talk to Him too much), or pray for passersby. It has been a blessing putting down my phone as I walk/wait, as God has reminded me how precious our time is and why/how I should use it more wisely.
In Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren quotes: “Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money, but you can't make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. It is not enough to just say relationships are important; we must prove it by investing time in them. Words alone are worthless. 'My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.' Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is 'T-I-M-E.'"
As Rick Warren mentions above, we only have a set amount of time. We can't create more time, and we can't get it back. I chose to use this quote because it really captures the essence of time and how important it is for us to take advantage of it. When we're on our phones, we're not taking advantage of our time. We're misusing it. Your Instagram post can wait. Your Facebook news feed will still be there when you get off the bus. That quote on Pinterest (and boy do I love quotes) can be pinned later. The people around you, however, can't wait. They won't be there when you leave campus, walk out of Walmart, or step off the bus. Don't worry, I'm not saying you have to strike up a conversation with them. I'm simply encouraging you to notice them. Talk to God as you walk across campus. Pray for the person sitting across from you on the bus who keeps yawning from lack of sleep or appears to be stressed about the study material they're tightly gripping in their hands. Smile at the women checking out in front of you who looks as if she's shopping for the cast of Annie. Be intentional. Post that Instagram picture when you get home. Pin that DIY project when you get bored in class. Oops, did I say that out loud? Also, I know we're talking about staying off our phones, but it wouldn't be bad to call up a friend you haven't spoken to in a while and let them know you love them and are thinking about them! Basically, I'm encouraging everybody (myself included) to invest in the things that matter; we need to love others by giving them our time!
So, I put down my phone.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Faith, Fundamentals, and Free-Throws
As I mentioned in my last post, we discussed the importance of keeping first things first in our Life After College Bible study the other night! In other words, it's crucial we keep the fundamentals of the Christian faith if we wish to remain spiritually stable as we transition through the not-so-stable stages of life. Do the little things, because they end up being the big things! They add up; they get BIGGER!
As always, my mind naturally began comparing this to basketball. Specifically, shooting a free-throw. If you're unfamiliar with what fundamentals are, they are "central or primary rules or principles on which something is based." In other words, fundamentals are fundamental. They are "of central importance" and necessary to master if you wish to be the best you can be. How does this relate to shooting a free-throw, you ask?
You see, free-throws play a significant role in basketball games, especially close games. Many games are lost at the line because a player failed to make their free-throws after getting fouled just seconds before the clock ran out of time. Free-throws can often be the difference between wearing a jersey for the last time and moving on to the next round of playoffs or better yet, the state championship. I cannot stress the importance of free-throws enough! In order to be a successful free-throw shooter, however, you must do the little things and stick to the fundamentals. Assuming you already know how to shoot, free-throws require focus, practice, and routine.
As always, my mind naturally began comparing this to basketball. Specifically, shooting a free-throw. If you're unfamiliar with what fundamentals are, they are "central or primary rules or principles on which something is based." In other words, fundamentals are fundamental. They are "of central importance" and necessary to master if you wish to be the best you can be. How does this relate to shooting a free-throw, you ask?
You see, free-throws play a significant role in basketball games, especially close games. Many games are lost at the line because a player failed to make their free-throws after getting fouled just seconds before the clock ran out of time. Free-throws can often be the difference between wearing a jersey for the last time and moving on to the next round of playoffs or better yet, the state championship. I cannot stress the importance of free-throws enough! In order to be a successful free-throw shooter, however, you must do the little things and stick to the fundamentals. Assuming you already know how to shoot, free-throws require focus, practice, and routine.
1) Free-throws require FOCUS because you want a player who is mentally tough and able to block out anything that may be distracting while they're at the line (those loud-mouthed mothers on the other team, for example) as they focus solely on putting the ball in the net.
2) You must practice, practice, PRACTICE! You're not going to become a successful free-throw shooter overnight. It takes time. You have to put in the effort because if you don't practice, you don't get better...and the more you practice, the better you become!
3) It's vital you develop a routine. It's all about consistency! Be consistent. You must repeat the same process every time you step up to the free-throw line.
Just as it's important to remember the fundamentals of shooting free-throws, we must also remember to keep the fundamentals of the Christian faith and do the little things, for it's the little things that have the potential to make a big difference in our day. This, too, requires focus, practice, and routine!
Just as it's important to remember the fundamentals of shooting free-throws, we must also remember to keep the fundamentals of the Christian faith and do the little things, for it's the little things that have the potential to make a big difference in our day. This, too, requires focus, practice, and routine!
1) As Christians, we need to remain focused on Christ and seek to block out distractions that may keep us from knowing Him more, whether that be getting out of a relationship that doesn't honor the Lord or memorizing Bible verses to say to ourselves when our thoughts aren't God-honoring. He should be our main focus in everything we do!
2) In order to further develop our relationship with Christ, we must be practicing Christlike characteristics! I touched on this more in my post Practice Makes Permanent if you'd like to check it out! Keeping the fundamentals of the Christian faith takes effort. Be willing to do the work!
2) In order to further develop our relationship with Christ, we must be practicing Christlike characteristics! I touched on this more in my post Practice Makes Permanent if you'd like to check it out! Keeping the fundamentals of the Christian faith takes effort. Be willing to do the work!
3) Just as shooting a free-throw requires routine, so does being a Christian. In my three years at Texas A&M, I have witnessed firsthand the difference being in God's word every single day can make. Reading the Gospel and seeking to know Him on a deeper level should be a routine and something we do religiously. It's a daily devotion that includes getting to know Him more, obeying Him, abiding in Him, etc. This requires consistency! The more consistent you are, the more confident you can be!
When you stick to the fundamentals of shooting free-throws, you don't falter. You rarely miss. When you do miss, you're able to quickly correct yourself (use yours legs, follow through, etc.) because you're so familiar with your shot. In the same way, when you stick to the fundamentals of the Christian faith, you don't falter. You can stand firm when trouble comes your way. Because you're spiritually stable, you can be confident in yourself during times of transition (graduating college, per se) and can adjust yourself accordingly. As I mentioned earlier, the little things turn out to be the big things that make all the difference! Remember, fundamentals are fundamental. Keep first things first!
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Life After College: Plotting Your Course
Guess what, GUESS WHAT! I joined a Bible study called Life After College that my sweet Phi Lamb sister, Amanda, told me about a few weeks ago! As she was listing the topics that would be covered in the study, I knew immediately I wanted to become a member! I LOVE IT ALREADY! I'm so thankful for God's precious timing, as well as friends who aren't obligated to share opportunities with me but choose to do so anyway!
Blessings, blessings, blessings!
The study focuses on teaching us soon-to-be graduates how to continue "walking with God after graduation day" as we head off in different directions to begin "rebuilding" our lives in an unfamiliar location!
The Road Ahead: The study begins by comparing our current predicament to the predicament Chuck Noland is forced to accept if he wishes to survive in the movie Castaway. To make a long story short, Chuck finds himself stranded on an island after his plane crashed and is forced to make a living in order to stay alive, as he is "separated from everything and everybody familiar to him." Although he builds a life on the island, "he still longs to return to civilization and to the life he once knew." When he returns, he finds himself having to rebuild his life all over again, as he quickly discovered "the world [had] moved on without him." At one point in the movie, he finds himself standing at a fork in the road, unsure of which path he should take. In the same way, we've already had to rebuild our lives when we went off to college. We've "created a life for [ourselves]" in Aggieland as we've discovered who we are and who we want to become. With graduation only a few months away, we find ourselves standing at a fork in the road. The options are endless! Which path will we take?
Although there is a lot we don't know, there is a lot we do know because it's stated in Scripture:
1) God wants us to know Jesus.
"Is your relationship with Christ the center of your life? Does it inform all of your decisions and actions?" God calls us to follow Christ, and anything we were once worried about or consumed with in the past is garbage, for there is surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord (Philippians 3:7-11).
2) God wants us to fulfill the Great Commission.
We're called to go and make disciples of all nations, sharing the Good News with those we meet! This doesn't mean we have to verbally tell every person we see about Jesus. We're called to "Preach the Gospel at all times...if necessary, use words." Being a Christian means living a life of ACTION! The way you live shows who you live for. Our leaders encouraged us to be an effective witness and look for teachable moments.
3) God wants us to participate in a Christian community.
Our leaders reminded us of C.S. Lewis' quote, "You can’t get second things by putting them first. You get second things only by putting first things first." Putting first things first means keeping Christ at the center of our lives as we invest in the lives of those around us.
"If you pursue God's priorities, and avoid distractions, you can have a life of lasting value. At the end of your life you will be able to look back and know that you have lived well. And you will be able to look forward and anticipate hearing those wonderful words from Jesus: 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'"
That's the gist of tonight's lesson. Be an effective witness. Live a life of ACTION. Stay involved. Remember, God needs Christians everywhere. Be willing to glorify Him right where He has you, whether you're cleaning dishes or sweeping floors, for "the most important job for a Christian carpenter is to make good furniture. Do your job well." No matter where you are or where you're going, do your job well. Be excellent. Be patient. Trust that God has a plan for your life!
I AM SO EXCITED TO DISCOVER GOD'S PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE!
Don't get me wrong, I'm still terrified, but there's a reason God created me and I'm eager to find out what that reason is! God created you with a purpose in mind, too, and I pray you're on the path to discovering it if you haven't already!
Blessings, blessings, blessings!
The study focuses on teaching us soon-to-be graduates how to continue "walking with God after graduation day" as we head off in different directions to begin "rebuilding" our lives in an unfamiliar location!
The Road Ahead: The study begins by comparing our current predicament to the predicament Chuck Noland is forced to accept if he wishes to survive in the movie Castaway. To make a long story short, Chuck finds himself stranded on an island after his plane crashed and is forced to make a living in order to stay alive, as he is "separated from everything and everybody familiar to him." Although he builds a life on the island, "he still longs to return to civilization and to the life he once knew." When he returns, he finds himself having to rebuild his life all over again, as he quickly discovered "the world [had] moved on without him." At one point in the movie, he finds himself standing at a fork in the road, unsure of which path he should take. In the same way, we've already had to rebuild our lives when we went off to college. We've "created a life for [ourselves]" in Aggieland as we've discovered who we are and who we want to become. With graduation only a few months away, we find ourselves standing at a fork in the road. The options are endless! Which path will we take?
Although there is a lot we don't know, there is a lot we do know because it's stated in Scripture:
1) God wants us to know Jesus.
"Is your relationship with Christ the center of your life? Does it inform all of your decisions and actions?" God calls us to follow Christ, and anything we were once worried about or consumed with in the past is garbage, for there is surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord (Philippians 3:7-11).
2) God wants us to fulfill the Great Commission.
We're called to go and make disciples of all nations, sharing the Good News with those we meet! This doesn't mean we have to verbally tell every person we see about Jesus. We're called to "Preach the Gospel at all times...if necessary, use words." Being a Christian means living a life of ACTION! The way you live shows who you live for. Our leaders encouraged us to be an effective witness and look for teachable moments.
3) God wants us to participate in a Christian community.
Our leaders reminded us of C.S. Lewis' quote, "You can’t get second things by putting them first. You get second things only by putting first things first." Putting first things first means keeping Christ at the center of our lives as we invest in the lives of those around us.
"If you pursue God's priorities, and avoid distractions, you can have a life of lasting value. At the end of your life you will be able to look back and know that you have lived well. And you will be able to look forward and anticipate hearing those wonderful words from Jesus: 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'"
That's the gist of tonight's lesson. Be an effective witness. Live a life of ACTION. Stay involved. Remember, God needs Christians everywhere. Be willing to glorify Him right where He has you, whether you're cleaning dishes or sweeping floors, for "the most important job for a Christian carpenter is to make good furniture. Do your job well." No matter where you are or where you're going, do your job well. Be excellent. Be patient. Trust that God has a plan for your life!
I AM SO EXCITED TO DISCOVER GOD'S PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE!
Don't get me wrong, I'm still terrified, but there's a reason God created me and I'm eager to find out what that reason is! God created you with a purpose in mind, too, and I pray you're on the path to discovering it if you haven't already!
Friday, February 13, 2015
Hooked on Highlighting
For those of you who know me, you know I'm a little OCD about certain things...and by a "little" I mean a lot and by "certain things" I mean just about everything. This has to be here and that has to be there. When I get in my best friend's car, I immediately start picking up the trash in my area and put it in whatever sack I'm guaranteed to find in there. When I'm texting hurriedly and make a spelling/grammar error, I delete the text from my phone so I don't have to see it...and usually send the exact same text with the corrected spelling/grammar in place. Everything has to be lined up correctly, whether that be the "just for looks" towels on the rack in the bathroom (that people aren't supposed to touch but they do...they always do) or the unused pillows I place on the chair in the exact same way every night: the two square throw pillows go first with their lines running horizontally, and the first pillow (with the pillowcase that matches the comforter) lies long ways while the second lies up/down to ensure the pillows remain perfectly balanced on the chair throughout the night.
With that being said, I'm also OCD about highlighting...and let me tell you, I LOVE highlighting! I highlight in every book I read - textbooks, chapter books, etc. In my Bible, I use a yellow Bible highlighter (one of the best creations known to man) partly because it's my favorite color (yes, highlighter yellow is my favorite color) but mostly because I'm OCD and the thought of adding another color made me wince and grit my teeth like one would upon hearing fingernails scratching a chalkboard.
I'm here to tell you that I, Kristin Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo Koonce, Princess of Genovia (I'm kidding...that's Mia's full name on Princess Diaries, not mine), stepped out of my OCD comfort zone and bought colored Bible highlighters on Tuesday, February 10th, 2015 around 6:54PM at Lifeway...and better yet...are you sitting down? I'VE USED THEM! I'M A CHANGED WOMAN! I was on Pinterest the other night (surprise, surprise) when I decided to search for Bible study suggestions and came across one that caught my eye! It's every highlighter-obsessed person's dream and it can be yours today for $1.99/highlighter! As you can tell, I am too excited not to share my recent discovery of studying scripture by color-coding it!
SIDE NOTE: I love bright colors. I'm not kidding. They genuinely make me happy. I'm just as surprised as you are that it took me this long to branch out and bring extra color into my quiet time...but better late than never, right!? *crowd echoes* "RIGHT!"
Here's the colors you'll need:
Yellow
Green
Blue
Pink
Purple
Here's how to color-code scripture:
Yellow: Because Christ is the LIGHT of the world, you highlight His teachings in yellow! He is our SONshine!
Pink: They haven't created a red Bible highlighter yet, so we're going to use pink in its place by highlighting the things God does NOT want us to do! When you see the color pink, you need to STOP! Quit it!
Green: Green represents the things we're called to GO do! "GO and make disciples of all nations!" "GO tell it on the mountain!" "Love the Lord your God!"
Blue: We use blue to highlight the BLESSINGS (BL-UE, BL-ESSINGS...see what they did there?) God promises us when we walk with Him and obey Him!
Purple: They used purple to highlight things to work on, but I am using it to highlight the attributes of God because let's face it...I need to work on EVERYTHING!
I AM TICKLED PINK (AND YELLOW/BLUE/GREEN/PURPLE...HAHAHAHA)
The bad news is, I've already highlighted over 50% of the Bible in just yellow, as I'm currently striving to read it all the way through...and there will be NO overlapping colors whatsoever. Oh, the agony! It (not-so-secretly) drives me crazy knowing the entire New Testament has been highlighted in yellow. The good news is, I will highlight something new every time I re-read chapters (because God is always teaching me new lessons), so there's a good chance it will one day even out!
THIS IS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE!
I know, I know...this wasn't my typical blog post! Let's face it, though, with only 4hrs left to take, I have a LOT of free time on my hands! Why not blog about my new profound love and use of ALL Bible highlighter colors? Don't worry, I'm still Kristin. I still don't want you to touch my decorative towels or put your bare feet on my bedspread. Sick. I'm making slow, subtle changes...nothing too drastic! As Bon Qui Qui says in her King Burger YouTube video, "Welcome to King Burger where we can do it your way...but don't get crazy!" I don't plan on getting crazy.
Never underestimate the impossible.
I am an overcomer.
You can be, too.
As Jacques the Shrimp says on Finding Nemo, "I am ashamed." But not really because that's what makes me, ME! Am I right!?
With that being said, I'm also OCD about highlighting...and let me tell you, I LOVE highlighting! I highlight in every book I read - textbooks, chapter books, etc. In my Bible, I use a yellow Bible highlighter (one of the best creations known to man) partly because it's my favorite color (yes, highlighter yellow is my favorite color) but mostly because I'm OCD and the thought of adding another color made me wince and grit my teeth like one would upon hearing fingernails scratching a chalkboard.
I'm here to tell you that I, Kristin Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo Koonce, Princess of Genovia (I'm kidding...that's Mia's full name on Princess Diaries, not mine), stepped out of my OCD comfort zone and bought colored Bible highlighters on Tuesday, February 10th, 2015 around 6:54PM at Lifeway...and better yet...are you sitting down? I'VE USED THEM! I'M A CHANGED WOMAN! I was on Pinterest the other night (surprise, surprise) when I decided to search for Bible study suggestions and came across one that caught my eye! It's every highlighter-obsessed person's dream and it can be yours today for $1.99/highlighter! As you can tell, I am too excited not to share my recent discovery of studying scripture by color-coding it!
SIDE NOTE: I love bright colors. I'm not kidding. They genuinely make me happy. I'm just as surprised as you are that it took me this long to branch out and bring extra color into my quiet time...but better late than never, right!? *crowd echoes* "RIGHT!"
Here's the colors you'll need:
Yellow
Green
Blue
Pink
Purple
Here's how to color-code scripture:
Yellow: Because Christ is the LIGHT of the world, you highlight His teachings in yellow! He is our SONshine!
Pink: They haven't created a red Bible highlighter yet, so we're going to use pink in its place by highlighting the things God does NOT want us to do! When you see the color pink, you need to STOP! Quit it!
Green: Green represents the things we're called to GO do! "GO and make disciples of all nations!" "GO tell it on the mountain!" "Love the Lord your God!"
Blue: We use blue to highlight the BLESSINGS (BL-UE, BL-ESSINGS...see what they did there?) God promises us when we walk with Him and obey Him!
Purple: They used purple to highlight things to work on, but I am using it to highlight the attributes of God because let's face it...I need to work on EVERYTHING!
I AM TICKLED PINK (AND YELLOW/BLUE/GREEN/PURPLE...HAHAHAHA)
The bad news is, I've already highlighted over 50% of the Bible in just yellow, as I'm currently striving to read it all the way through...and there will be NO overlapping colors whatsoever. Oh, the agony! It (not-so-secretly) drives me crazy knowing the entire New Testament has been highlighted in yellow. The good news is, I will highlight something new every time I re-read chapters (because God is always teaching me new lessons), so there's a good chance it will one day even out!
THIS IS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE!
I know, I know...this wasn't my typical blog post! Let's face it, though, with only 4hrs left to take, I have a LOT of free time on my hands! Why not blog about my new profound love and use of ALL Bible highlighter colors? Don't worry, I'm still Kristin. I still don't want you to touch my decorative towels or put your bare feet on my bedspread. Sick. I'm making slow, subtle changes...nothing too drastic! As Bon Qui Qui says in her King Burger YouTube video, "Welcome to King Burger where we can do it your way...but don't get crazy!" I don't plan on getting crazy.
Never underestimate the impossible.
I am an overcomer.
You can be, too.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Surface-Level Loving
The following topic has been on my heart a lot lately. It is my prayer that as I write this post and as you read it, we both find ourselves challenged to do better, to be better, and that we find ourselves encouraged to reach above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the lives of others.
Aside from Valentine's Day, why is February considered the month of love? Why can't EVERY month be the month of love? In fact, what is stopping us from making EVERY DAY the day to love more, to love deeper?
What exactly does it mean to love deeper? Well, the adjective deep means "very intense or extreme" - and intense means "of extreme force, degree, strength" - and extreme means "reaching a high or the highest degree; very great." Therefore, from my understanding, to love deeper means to love someone to the highest degree, the greatest amount.
Now let's look at 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 which reads, "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
The first half is self-explanatory. All signs may point to a Christian lifestyle (giving to the poor, feeding the hungry, attending church, etc.), but if we do not love, we've missed the point, as the two greatest commandments are "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and 'Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27).'"
The second half is a little trickier because it challenges us to take a look at ourselves and how we treat others. It challenges us to peel back the layers and believe me, it won't be pretty. When studying 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 a year or two ago in Bible study, my friend encouraged us to replace the words love and it with our first name. Yikes! For example:
Aside from Valentine's Day, why is February considered the month of love? Why can't EVERY month be the month of love? In fact, what is stopping us from making EVERY DAY the day to love more, to love deeper?
What exactly does it mean to love deeper? Well, the adjective deep means "very intense or extreme" - and intense means "of extreme force, degree, strength" - and extreme means "reaching a high or the highest degree; very great." Therefore, from my understanding, to love deeper means to love someone to the highest degree, the greatest amount.
Now let's look at 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 which reads, "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
The first half is self-explanatory. All signs may point to a Christian lifestyle (giving to the poor, feeding the hungry, attending church, etc.), but if we do not love, we've missed the point, as the two greatest commandments are "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and 'Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27).'"
The second half is a little trickier because it challenges us to take a look at ourselves and how we treat others. It challenges us to peel back the layers and believe me, it won't be pretty. When studying 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 a year or two ago in Bible study, my friend encouraged us to replace the words love and it with our first name. Yikes! For example:
Kristin is patient.
Kristin does not envy.
Kristin is not easily angered.
Kristin keeps no records of wrongs.
Is that convicting or what!? I do NOT fit those descriptions on a daily basis. I can be impatient. I've been envious of others more times than I can count. I've been easily angered, especially after losing to my brothers in basketball for the umpteenth time, and I have, without a doubt, kept records of the wrongs done to me (ladies, this is also known as holding a grudge). We are a work in progress and, as you can see, there is ALWAYS room for improvement!
Let's go above and beyond surface-level loving. Let's dive in and make a splash so big, those around us can't help but be affected by the ripples. I encourage you to replace the words love and it with your name so that, together, we can strive to love deeper in every aspect of our lives...whether that be showing kindness to the AT&T worker who is trying to help us set up our voicemail password, not slamming the basketball down after losing a game of 21, forgiving those who have done us wrong, etc. Peel back the layers. There's a reason love is included in the two greatest commandments.
I would like to encourage everyone (myself included) to find ways to love deeper, for if we do not love, we are only clanging symbols, resounding gongs. Don't wait for Valentine's Day to love those around you. Do it now, right where you are. Do it today, tomorrow, and every day after that. Go above and beyond! Remember, "ordinary can become EXTRAordinary with just a little EXTRA!" Challenge yourself to make a difference in the lives of those around you by loving them to the highest degree, expecting nothing in return. Whatever you do, don't miss the point: love God and love others.
Is that convicting or what!? I do NOT fit those descriptions on a daily basis. I can be impatient. I've been envious of others more times than I can count. I've been easily angered, especially after losing to my brothers in basketball for the umpteenth time, and I have, without a doubt, kept records of the wrongs done to me (ladies, this is also known as holding a grudge). We are a work in progress and, as you can see, there is ALWAYS room for improvement!
Let's go above and beyond surface-level loving. Let's dive in and make a splash so big, those around us can't help but be affected by the ripples. I encourage you to replace the words love and it with your name so that, together, we can strive to love deeper in every aspect of our lives...whether that be showing kindness to the AT&T worker who is trying to help us set up our voicemail password, not slamming the basketball down after losing a game of 21, forgiving those who have done us wrong, etc. Peel back the layers. There's a reason love is included in the two greatest commandments.
I would like to encourage everyone (myself included) to find ways to love deeper, for if we do not love, we are only clanging symbols, resounding gongs. Don't wait for Valentine's Day to love those around you. Do it now, right where you are. Do it today, tomorrow, and every day after that. Go above and beyond! Remember, "ordinary can become EXTRAordinary with just a little EXTRA!" Challenge yourself to make a difference in the lives of those around you by loving them to the highest degree, expecting nothing in return. Whatever you do, don't miss the point: love God and love others.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
The Sound of Music
I love The Sound of Music for a variety of reasons. There are a few reasons in particular, however, that this 1965 film musical captured my heart long ago and has remained my favorite musical/movie unto this day.
The movie centers around Maria von Trapp who desires "to find out what is the will of God and do it wholeheartedly." Like all major life changes, Maria has a hard time accepting God's will at first and, when talking to Revered Mother about the Abbey, she proclaims the Abbey "is where [she] belongs. It's [her] home, [her] family. It's [her] life." It is then that Reverend Mother reminds her, "If you go out into the world for a time, knowing what we expect of you...you will find out if you can expect it for yourself." Maria finds encouragement in this and responds, "I know what you expect, Mother, and I can do it! I promise I can!"
I believe God created each of us with a specific purpose in mind and, like Maria, my heart's deepest desire is to discover God's will for my life. As my "About Me" reads, my aim is to take the desires that overflow from the depths of my heart (encouraging others, being a positive influence, reaching out, looking on the bright side of every situation, etc.) and put them to work so that I may "glorify God and make disciples of Jesus Christ" as I progress through life's ups and downs and follow my dreams! Just as Maria had to leave the Abbey in order to discover what God had in store for her life, I know I'll have to leave the comfort of my home if I'm serious about chasing my dreams...and I've never been more serious about something in my life! Maria knows what her loved ones expect of her and she believes she can do it! I do, too!
In her song I Have Confidence, Maria finds herself scared even though she's "always longed for adventure, to do the things [she's] never dared." Instead of dwelling on her doubts and worries, she decides to "show them [she's] worthy and while [she shows] them, [she'll] show [herself]." In the same way, I long for adventure. I long to change the world. I long to take chances, to take a leap of faith, to fly (figuratively speaking, of course...let's be honest, I can't even roller skate). Although I long to leave what's comfortable for what's uncomfortable, I'm scared. I'm scared of leaving a small town where I know everybody and moving to a major city where I know nobody. But just as Maria has confidence in herself, I am confident in both myself and God's faithfulness. Nothing is impossible with God.
Reverend Mother sings Climb Every Mountain when Maria runs away to the Abbey. She wants Maria to "search high and low" until she finds what it is that makes her come alive! The lyrics are as follows:
This is, by far, my favorite song in The Sound of Music. I am willing to do whatever it takes to find my dream, and when I find it, I'm not letting it go.
Conclusion:
After watching the musical two nights in a row last week, I thought it necessary to share my love of The Sound of Music. Mind you, this movie is so long it requires an "Intermission" halfway through and I watched it...twice! Graduating in May, Maria's journey has become much more real to me. This movie can change your life if you let it, as it encourages (us) viewers to seek God's will for our lives, sing, have confidence in ourselves, trust God, have faith, and follow every rainbow until we find our dream! It has inspired me for as long as I can remember and I pray it inspires you, too! May you know that God created you with a purpose in mind, He has a plan for your life! May your heart be blessed with the sound of music! May you be confident in yourself! May you have faith and trust that with God, all things are possible, and may you follow your dreams and discover God's will for your life!
The movie centers around Maria von Trapp who desires "to find out what is the will of God and do it wholeheartedly." Like all major life changes, Maria has a hard time accepting God's will at first and, when talking to Revered Mother about the Abbey, she proclaims the Abbey "is where [she] belongs. It's [her] home, [her] family. It's [her] life." It is then that Reverend Mother reminds her, "If you go out into the world for a time, knowing what we expect of you...you will find out if you can expect it for yourself." Maria finds encouragement in this and responds, "I know what you expect, Mother, and I can do it! I promise I can!"
I believe God created each of us with a specific purpose in mind and, like Maria, my heart's deepest desire is to discover God's will for my life. As my "About Me" reads, my aim is to take the desires that overflow from the depths of my heart (encouraging others, being a positive influence, reaching out, looking on the bright side of every situation, etc.) and put them to work so that I may "glorify God and make disciples of Jesus Christ" as I progress through life's ups and downs and follow my dreams! Just as Maria had to leave the Abbey in order to discover what God had in store for her life, I know I'll have to leave the comfort of my home if I'm serious about chasing my dreams...and I've never been more serious about something in my life! Maria knows what her loved ones expect of her and she believes she can do it! I do, too!
In her song I Have Confidence, Maria finds herself scared even though she's "always longed for adventure, to do the things [she's] never dared." Instead of dwelling on her doubts and worries, she decides to "show them [she's] worthy and while [she shows] them, [she'll] show [herself]." In the same way, I long for adventure. I long to change the world. I long to take chances, to take a leap of faith, to fly (figuratively speaking, of course...let's be honest, I can't even roller skate). Although I long to leave what's comfortable for what's uncomfortable, I'm scared. I'm scared of leaving a small town where I know everybody and moving to a major city where I know nobody. But just as Maria has confidence in herself, I am confident in both myself and God's faithfulness. Nothing is impossible with God.
Reverend Mother sings Climb Every Mountain when Maria runs away to the Abbey. She wants Maria to "search high and low" until she finds what it is that makes her come alive! The lyrics are as follows:
Climb every mountain,
Search high and low,
Follow every byway,
Every path you know.
Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
'Till you find your dream.
A dream that will need
All the love you can give,
Every day of your life
For as long as you live.
This is, by far, my favorite song in The Sound of Music. I am willing to do whatever it takes to find my dream, and when I find it, I'm not letting it go.
Conclusion:
After watching the musical two nights in a row last week, I thought it necessary to share my love of The Sound of Music. Mind you, this movie is so long it requires an "Intermission" halfway through and I watched it...twice! Graduating in May, Maria's journey has become much more real to me. This movie can change your life if you let it, as it encourages (us) viewers to seek God's will for our lives, sing, have confidence in ourselves, trust God, have faith, and follow every rainbow until we find our dream! It has inspired me for as long as I can remember and I pray it inspires you, too! May you know that God created you with a purpose in mind, He has a plan for your life! May your heart be blessed with the sound of music! May you be confident in yourself! May you have faith and trust that with God, all things are possible, and may you follow your dreams and discover God's will for your life!
"Maria, these walls were not meant to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live."
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