Adventures of a Sell-Out

The past two days have definitely been a time of firsts. And that falls directly in line with what I had expected; that everything would be different and new and that my life would be completely altered. And while that is all true, I am coming to realize that life and people are still the same. There are still the uncomfortable political conversations, the people who simply refuse to even look at you even before they meet you, the awkward first time at a new chruch, and the feeling of second thoughts. I have no regrets and I am prepared for the difficulties of adjustment that lie ahead, what makes me think twice me is that I see people who are on a different page. People who question why God has them in this place. And all I can say about that is this:

Life. Is. Hard.

As humans, we simply can't avoid that. It is hard, and it often just outright sucks. And when we reach the point of despair, all we are left with is God. I think that we tend to forget exactly what it means to be left with God. We talk about how amazing God is, and how powerful and wonderful and loving and compassionate he is... We describe God with all of these qualities and more. In fact, we describe him as so great that we often just leave it at at indescribable. We have no words to compare with his awesome ways. And yet, when we come to a point when all we have is him, we diminish him to something so small. When really, just to have God is an incredible thing and more than enough for us. Everything else is mere blessing. When we are pushed out of our comfort zone, God is simply preparing us for a mountain of blessings that he wants to pour on us. But first he has to stretch us so that we aren't overwhelmed. He needs us to grow so that he can use us in the mighty ways that he has planned and set aside for our lives.

When we are forced to adjust to that growth, it can stretch us out pretty thin... And as a result, we feel really tiny. But we just have to remember that God is big. Bigger then our pain, discomforts, and second thoughts. He has led to us to where we are for a reason, and he wants to use each of us right where we are. Even if it's not comfortable. I mean, Jesus most certainly wasn't comfortable when they were beating him, pulling out his beard, and nailing him to the cross. But God used him to save the world. God can use us most when we are willing to step out of our zone, walk in faith, and remember his sovereignty. And yes, it sucks. But God never said that it would be easy. However, he did say that he would carry us through it with a peace that surpasses understanding.

However, we can't just take these things from God. He wants something in return. He longs for a relationship with us, and relationships go both ways. He wants to give us peace, but he also wants us to give him our lives. He asks us to die to self every single day, and it's hard but if we can learn to do that he will replace our lives with the incredible adventure that is a life following his footsteps. He is a mighty and loving Father who has incredible things in store for his children. Walk in that in complete faith, and you will be a person who truely has no regrets and is a magnet to other people.

On a more random note... My first Cannon Beach Sunset!!!!!!!







For more pics just look on my facebook. :)