what a week

If you read my first post then you know that I like to find connections in things. If you havent read it, you may want to, to better understand where I'm coming from. This week has brought a lot to light for me, and its been beautiful.

I think back to last semester and all the incredible things God was showing me, and I feel like this week has been a culmination of all of that. Last semester I met God in a whole new way. My faith in him was stronger than it had ever been before, because I was seeing that he was alive and active in my life. My classes and Professors challenged me and grew me.

One of the most amazing nights of my life was when I had to go on a "spiritual retreat" for a project in Spiritual Growth and Development (a required class for religion majors...everyone should take this class). The idea was to spend 24 hours alone, following a "retreat guide" that we were given. We were allowed to choose our topic and basically get as creative with it as we wanted to. I chose "True Discipleship" because I was at a point in my life where, although things were going great and I wasn't struggling with some "major sin" I was still feeling that I hadn't fully given everything to God.

Needless to say, God did huge things in those 24 hours. Those 24 hours changed my perspective on so much, and I can legitimately say that I would not have had the strength to deal with the things that were thrown my way if it hadnt been for those moments with God, where I finally "left everything and followed Him" (Mark 1:16-18)

Ok, so back to this week:

This week we had the Ashe-Henderson lectures. Dr. Crutchley (my prof, advisor, pastor, employer, counselor, go-to guy when i just need to cry) was the speaker and of course, I was impacted. He spoke on "Lost" (the lost parables- the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son). I had heard it all before, but its funny how even though I've known it, just the way it was portrayed, this week, at this time in my life, the beauty of redemption, the beauty of the seeking Father, the pursuing Father.

I was once again reminded of this active God, who wanting a deep relationship with me, calling me to be his disciple.

I have also begun reading The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and again have been amazed by how I need to live my life as a poured out offering for Christ. To love unashamedly. To live fully. To risk everything.

Friends, lets do it. Lets risk it all for the sake of knowing Him. Let's be like Paul who said "to live is Christ, but to die is gain."

I'm continuing to see how everything is connected, how we are put through certain trials, learn certain things, are in certain places, so that God can teach us and grow us. I am so thankful for where I am right now, for the people around me, and the love I see each day in God's people.