Inaction and our laziness...

I find that most days I am very ready to walk out the front door a happy person, but only because I care enough about me to make sure that I am happy. As I head to my car I anticipate the things that will be exciting during my day, and I think about how each will affect me. How much more selfish could I be? Why can't I be a true follower of Christ and start my day by reaching out, instead of reaching in. I have found that it is purely human nature to want to please one's self, and that it takes drastic and purposeful action to contradict that nature. Imagine you are sitting at a cafeteria table, eating your lunch. There is a girl (or guy) sitting alone at the table beside yours. Isn't it much easier to continue eating your quiet lunch (maybe you're absorbed in a book) rather than moving to the table next to yours and starting a conversation with what may be a lonely individual? I can easily see myself taking the first option and ignoring the call that I belive each of us has on our lives: to evangelize to the lost. I really belive that our inaction is caused by human nature, but there is another point that needs to be made. Human nature is sinful because of Adam's fall, and that leads me to conclude that it is not something to be accepted, but rather something to be fought against with all of our might through Christ! We must conquer that nature. Only then can God's love and forgiveness be expressed to the lost. That lonely individual might not be saved, and maybe one friendly smile from you or me will plant the seed of hope in thier heart that leads to thier eventual salvation. Who knows? Yes...why not take a chance?! What do we have to lose...actually, if anything there will be much to gain as we see our reward in the smiling face of Jesus when we arrive in Heaven. Maybe they are saved, maybe not. Why not take a chance and get out of our comfort zone and take that first step, say that first word, then trust the Holy Spirit to do the rest...because, who knows what might happen?

Do you believe in gohsts?

I had an interesting discussion with a fellow music major today about ghosts. She seems to think that there is one in her house...what a scary thought! Well, it is to someone who believes in ghosts, at least. It took me totally by surprise that she was telling me this in all seriousness, somehow expecting me to respond as if I believed her. I responded by talking to her about Ephesians 6:12, which says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkenss, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." I told her that ghosts don't exist, but demons do and that we are in a real struggle. I don't think she really understood, but maybe God allowed me to plant a seed of truth in her heart. And what an interesting discussion to be thrown at me unsuspectingly :) It helps me understand better what the Bible means when it says to be ready to defend your faith at all times.

Out of my element

Today was the most interesting day I've had in a long while. You see, I'm a very structured person and when things become different or out of the norm I become frustrated. That is what happened last night, when I began to talk to my parents about my stress level. I have gone two weeks in a row without a restful weekend and even though I enjoy being buisy and doing exciting things I often forget that I need rest. So tomorrow I am taking the day off. If you don't understand my personality it's a hard concept to grasp, but every time I repeat the phrase "a day off" I just want to burst out laughing. It seems so "wrong" to me to do something so abnormal. My routine is to go to class, to study responsibly, and to never miss a commitment unless I'm sick. Now I find myself wondering "what will I do when I wake up tomorrow?" At the same time it is exciting to have time to sit and read and relax. I need the time to think and pray. I believe that this year is a defining year for me in several ways. First, I will find more direction as far as what the next few years will look like, and second, I will truly find out who I am as a person and as a Christian. I am thankful for wise parents who see when it's time for me to have a day off.