Are you taking advantage of where God has put you?

"Bloom where God plants you."

I heard this quote from when I went and saw Rebecca St. James on Friday evening.

It struck a chord.
How many of us are looking to the future so often and so much that we forget to appreciate where we're at now? 

I have a dear friend of mine, who was planning to go to a certain school. She was incredibly excited and I mean, EXCITED! As the time for leaving has come closer, she realized that she had been so focused on her future, that she forgot to tend to the present time. Consequently, she has pushed back the date for when she leaves to go to school. This way she may spend some time that she lost by taking advantage of the opportunities she has at home.

That is just one simple example of how often we get so caught up in our future that we often miss out and lose opportunities. Sometimes we even begin to dislike or not care for the spot we're currently in, and we lose appreciation for what we have now. 

Let this be a reminder that God has you in whatever spot you're in, right now, for a reason.

Don't get so caught up in the future, or even perhaps the past, that you're missing incredible opportunities because of your lack of patience and contentment.

"Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches."

1 Corinthians 7:17

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."

Philippians 4:11

So my friends, bloom where God plants you! :)

I just thought it was a cool picture... Now I want some cake!

Love Isn't Always on Time

Today while I was finishing up my work shift, the song "Hold the Line" by Toto (oldies but goodies, represent!) came on. The chorus goes a little something like this..

"Hold the line,

Love isn't always on time."

After thinking about it a little, I realized that love really isn't always on time! According to us, at least.

Whether it be love or anything else you're waiting for, sometimes it really feels that it's "not on time". 

Waiting, waiting and waiting... Yeah, it gets tiring, doesn't it?

In today's world, I would say the majority of us are used to getting things when we want them, or at least in a speedy manner. Part of being devoted to Christ, is waiting and having patience:

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him..."
Psalm 37:7a

"It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD."

Lamentations 3:26

More importantly, God is in control of all things and while you may think that something isn't on time, God is definitely on time! It's really us, who aren't on time. "Hold the line", referring back to the song, is actually a phrase which means keeping constant, or even persevering in some senses. When certain things in your life feel as if  they "aren't on time", that's when you need to "hold the line" and remember that God does not work according to our watches. 

God always has His reasons for why or when He does or doesn't do something. Have faith my fellow Christians, that God is good and all things come through His PERFECT will and timing! :) 

Side note: I know this song has a meaning a bit different than what my post is about, but it was merely for an example and a good song! :P

What is He doing?

Often I wonder what God is doing with my future.

Something just says it must be exciting and unique.

Currently, I can say that I have no idea what I want to do with my life after I graduate high school in three months. I've had ideas and thoughts. There's the typical suggestion of college.

But recently, I've been discovering that I am ridiculously picky. Nothing typical interests me.

And I mean nothing. I'm honestly disappointed and dissatisfied at the idea of anything typical.

It makes me wonder if something is wrong with me! I keep wondering when I'm going to found out my "passion" is, what I was made to do.

Several years ago, I found myself so displeased with the mediocre Christians that I was surrounded by. They are described as only giving certain parts of their life to God, rather than all of it. They aren't really interested in living a complete set-apart life but rather just abiding by only the things they find interest in. It made me upset, and scared for my own spiritual walk. I distinctly remember that night, crying out to God, that He would make sure my life was nothing like that. I wanted to have a life that was noticeably different, that was "all out" for Him. 

Nearly finishing up high school now, I'm wondering where God is going to take me. I don't believe I was made for anything ordinary, but rather something incredible. I'm scared for the challenge, but at the same time I want it. I want to be pushed in ways I've never been pushed before.

So for now I will sit in wonder at what God is doing. 

Sit in wonder and excitement. :)

And to anyone else that's as clueless as me:

Keep waiting. :)

My Dad has recently reminded me that if we are continually seeking God and living our lives fully for Him, then we can't really go wrong in this area. God will provide direction and open doors to what we were called to do.

"Trust in the LORD and do good;
         Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
    ⁴Delight yourself in the LORD;
         And He will give you the desires of your heart.
    ⁵Commit your way to the LORD,
         Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
    ⁶He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
         And your judgment as the noonday."

Psalm 37: 3-6

Waiting on my Jesus!

I'm waiting on my Jesus. :)

It all began a few months back. I knew our church, specifically my youth group was planning for an international mission trip. I was excited! I emailed one of my female leaders about any information she knew/could give about it. She responded with little and said that more would be coming out soon. What do you know, the next day my youth pastor sends out an email for the mission trip. It was going to be to Haiti! I was ecstatic! Within a few weeks, things changed and the mission trip was moved from being just youth to it being a church held trip, for several different reasons. While I was a little saddened by it not being my entire youth group, I was still seeking to go.

At the beginning of January, I found out about ANOTHER mission trip, completely apart and outside of my church. It's called "Never the Same Missions" held by Susie Shellenberger (creator of Brio magazines, "Ask Susie"). Dannah Gresh (one of my favorite Christian authors!) was promoting it on her website, since she and her daughter are going to attend. It was a mission trip to Ecuador for 13-19 year old teens!

Then began the conflict of two really attractive and appealing ideas! Which one to pick?

I was still waiting on more information about the Haiti trip, so I couldn't just make a decision. Then I noticed a early bird deadline for the Ecuador trip. If you applied by January 31st, you'd avoid an extra $100 fee. It gave me a few weeks to pray, and ask others to pray.

January 24th rolls around,

"God, can you PLEASE let me know soon about which mission trip to attend?" was a journal entry I wrote, seeking God's answer. Two days later, I attend a leadership meeting for youth group and find out that the Haiti mission trip was canceled due to political conflicts occurring there.

I couldn't believe it! I was excited and nervous at the same time.

After filling out a 12 page application, including two notarization's and a pastor recommendation, I mailed my application on January 31st. Receiving JUST enough grace from God to turn it in without having to pay the extra $100. Praise God!

Now the question is... Will I get accepted?

I'm waiting on my Jesus. :)

Note: Are you interested too? Check out the Never the Same Mission Trip to Ecuador here!