Made Alive

Ephesians 2:4-5

Aug 14

the close of one season marks the beginning of another

This summer has been filled with love, growth, discipline, and fullness. It has truly been a beautiful season that is coming to an end very quickly!! Tomorrow I move into my new apartment where I will have new room mates and in a few short day start new classes! Basically, I am about to enter into a lot of “new” phases!

I am excited about this next year. It is my senior year in college!! (which has FLOWN by) At the ending of this year, it will mark the beginning of another season in life! Lately I feel like life is changing so quickly. I have had to think a little into the future to plan which is exciting, but I also want to make sure I am living in the “here and now” and not looking too far ahead. It is a hard balance to find for me.

Anyways, I am basically writing this for myself, as a reminder to look back to in a few days, weeks, or months when I start to forget what i’m striving for this year… 

*I want to remind myself DAILY of God’s grace and mercy. They are endless and new every morning.

*I want to put into practice all that the Lord has shown and taught me this summer. That includes discipline, thankfulness, love and many other things.

*I pray against falling into the belief that my stance with God is determined on how well I am “performing” for him as a christian. My stance with him NEVER changes. He is constant.

*I want to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Not righteousness to “better” myself, but righteousness to exemplify the transforming work of Christ in me.

*I want to live by the beatitudes. I desire to mourn my sin, meekly accept criticism without defensiveness, show mercy, act as a peacemaker, and be pure in heart.

*I pray for the strength to love my family, friends, and all people I come in contact with more than myself.

*I pray for the strength and discernment to be obedient to the Lord.

*Overall, I pray for continued sanctification and that I will look back on this next year and know Jesus more deeply.

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” -C.S Lewis

-Jen