Different | Difference

It’s been a while! Wow! Almost a whole month. I apologize! I got caught up with Fine Arts and stuff and just had a lack of inspiration. BUT, I’m back now and I have a lot to say (: So bear with me here.

So Hi (: Last week at this time I was on my way to District Fine Arts! Woop woop. I was so excited. I knew Convention was only a day away. Now Convention… I really didn’t have any expectations. Not that I didn’t think anything was going to happen, I just didn’t know what to expect. Robert Madu was the speaker, and I knew that he was completely amazing so I was even more pumped. Going into extreme detail would take forever so I’m going to give you the short version. Basically at the first service I could just feel God and I knew he was going to do something totally insane that weekend and not only in me but in a lot of people in the group. Worship was great, which was a super great way to start off the night. Then Robert Madu started speaking and it was like… Insane. Hahaha. Everything he was saying was exactly exactly exactly what I needed to hear, and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who feels that way. On the last night a lot of chains were broken in me personally. But here’s what bugged me. It was at that point when everything was broken away that I had just started to cry. I looked up and noticed that I was getting a lot of weird looks. People were looking at me as if they had never heard someone cry before. I looked around some more and noticed that people were talking and laughing and I just got so mad. People were having life changing moments and other people were just laughing at them. The sermon that night was about going out and catching fish (people) and bringing them to God. It hurt me that these people didn’t care. But at the same time I prayed for these people because I know that they just need God. Point of all this is. Since Convention, (and a little before that) I have just been feeling like.. guys. We really really need to be standing up for God. And what we believe in. I’ve been thinking, how am I being a Godly example to other people. How am I showing others Gods love? Am I doing any of these at all? It’s a little scary when you start to think those things because you might be surprised at what your answers are. Coming back from trips everyone is always like “Oh everything is just going to go back to normal, no ones going to stay the same.” After trips everyone comes home and gets back into the swing of things. Because at retreats you are surrounded by your church friends and there are services every night and morning. And then you come home and you go back to school, with all your non Christian friends. You have services on Sundays and Wednesdays, and you go back to whatever your life is like at home. It’s like a smack in the face. You get yourself so bummed out that you practically forget what God did in you over that trip. I don’t want that to happen to myself. Or anyone. Christina over at (insert link to blog) shared this with me, http://www.i-heart.org/action.php?intid=2447 . It’s really long but it’s worth reading. I like how in the one part of it they say “God lights a fire inside of us when we go on missions and when we get back home people always try to figure out ways to keep this high. And when God lights this fire it is up to each individual’s choice to give it fuel.” That’s a spectacular way to put it. Last night I was talking to a friend and we were talking about the devil has just been attacking everyone so much since we got back. It’s scary yet exciting because you know that he’s really ticked off that we are getting so close to God. And that we are abandoning old ways. I know it’s tough to try to hang on. But I want to encourage you guys with this:

If God has set something inside your heart in some way, he has planted it there, you need to pray and continually seek and just pray that he will continue to make that thing, whatever it may be, grow inside of you. That that fire that is inside of you will just grow and grow and grow. It doesn’t have to end at retreats or Convention. You can have an insane time of worship in your bedroom. You don’t need crazy cool lights and smoke and a famous band or loud music to feel God and to be filled with him and to talk to him. Are you showing others the love that God has put inside of you? Are people going to look at you and say that you are different? Like I said I know it’s a struggle but I want to encourage you to keep trusting him. Keep praying. Keep worshipping. Keep seeking after him with all you’ve got.

^“17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19.

And finally I want to say. That you are not alone. Don’t think that you are the only one struggling to stick close to God because your not. There are other people out there who are having trouble too. It’s not a bad thing to be struggling, I mean, it’s hard when the world is throwing so much stuff your way. Your friends are there to help you and encourage you and give you a push. So stand up. Be different. Don’t be afraid of what other people might think because honestly it really doesn’t matter. When all those people were looking at me like I was from another planet I just closed my eyes and continue to go after God and to give him my all. If they want to talk about me then fine. They can.

I’ve kind of set myself up with a challenge to myself. I want to be an example to people. Not just a role model in how I dress or do my hair or my make up. Nah, I don’t really care if you like my hair or my outfit. I want people to see what’s on the inside. I want the inside to be what comes across on the outside. I wanna work the bad things outta my life. Check out this verse.

^13-17"Quit your worship charades.
   I can't stand your trivial religious games:
Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—
   meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more!
Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!
   You've worn me out!
I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion,
   while you go right on sinning.
When you put on your next prayer-performance,
   I'll be looking the other way.
No matter how long or loud or often you pray,
   I'll not be listening.
And do you know why? Because you've been tearing
   people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.
Go home and wash up.
   Clean up your act.
Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings
   so I don't have to look at them any longer.Say no to wrong.
   Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
   Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
   Go to bat for the defenseless.” Isaiah 1:16-17

If you’re wondering what version that is from it’s from The Message. I really really like how straight forward it is.

This is kind of open ended. I know that for me, personally I’m going to actually make an effort to change my ways. The choice is yours, though. I can’t make you do something but I hope this encouraged you a little. And if you’re scared or feel alone, I’m here for you. And if you want to talk feel free to Facebook message me. Go get God.

Have a great day in this gorgeous weather! (: Love you guys.