Well friends, here I am. I decided that I wanted to start a blog today. I definitely don't plan on this being widely read or incredibly eloquent, but simply a place to communicate what God is doing in my life.
I suppose the idea came from a number of places. I've recently been watching my brother start a new series of posts, and that gave me the idea to blog. And the content of this blog is meant to be a reflection of what God calls us to. Contributors include recent conversations, services I've attended, and songs I've come across. I'm currently working my way through a book by John Piper called Don't Waste Your Life. (Brief interjection. If you haven't read this book, I would highly recommend it.) So starting with this entry, I will probably post anything from poetry to articles to songs, or just thoughts about books I'm working through (including the Bible).
The service I attended last Sunday was about how we, as Christians, need to pray and act boldly as children of God. Things don't get done by us sitting around and living an ordinary life. In fact, we are called to do just the opposite of living an ordinary life...and yet we still do. Then this Thursday, I attended our college-age service where our pastor discussed pursuing the talents that God has given us for his glory. And finally last night, I was watching a sermon by John Piper about not wasting our lives.
If by now you are not seeing a trend, let me be a little more clear. The pattern that God keeps showing me is to actively pursue him (through prayer and through reading his Word), to actively see how he would have me live and who I am called to be, and to act according to his calling. And honestly, it hit me last night that if I were to die right then, what could be said of my life? Would I stand before the God of everything and tell him I had done so many things for his name? Do I have a life that shouts from every mountain top that JESUS is alive, that JESUS is coming again, and that the only thing that gives us life, hope, or a reason for being is the grace that God so very graciously bestowed upon us through the gift of his son JESUS? Or has my life been purely guided by my wants, desires, frustrations, etc.?
The point is, life is a gift from God! And if I'm not living each and every moment of it for him, then I am wasting it. So I will leave you with this. What is your number one passion? What is your current pursuit? If you don't answer God and his glory for each of those, then I exhort you to spend some time before your maker and reconsider your life. I know that I am.
God bless.
Philippians 1:19-22
I'm glad you're writing! You've been added to my subscription list, certainly – I look forward to reading everything you're thinking about.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on Don't Waste Your Life; I think it's one of the most approachable but important books someone could get his or her hands on. We should talk about it sometime soon!
Wow Abi, this is awesome. I can't wait to read more of your posts. Keep me updated as to when you update your blog.
ReplyDeleteAbi.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the talks with you as you continue to challenge me as only you do. What are my real passions. And I pray that God will ignite in me a fire to Love God with all that I am, all that I want, and all that I do. And love others in the same. I hope and pray that you continue to dive the the word and know God. That you continue to grow and have that passion.
In passing I pray:
That God keeps you and bless you. That he shines his face on you and gives you his peace. His shalom. In Jesus' name.