"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
Psalm 28:7
This week has been college-girl-crazy! Before last night (Thursday) I had an approximate grand sleep total of 18 hours. The next few weeks are jam-packed with projects, presentations, papers and exams for this girl. Other things contributing to my sleep-deprivation are few, excluding this pretty neat guy I've met recently. Unfortunately, because of him I'm now uncomfortably aware of how much coffee I drink. It can't be helped! I'm going to blame this on my dad and call it a genetically inherited disorder. I love it, I want it, I need it.
Latest addiction: Cafe Mocha with Peppermint.
Note to self: Google recipe, buy ingredients - can't afford any more Starbucks!
Even being completely exhausted this week, I got to see how God has been working in my heart. Sometimes I feel like I'm at a growth stand-still and that I haven't changed at all. One of the things I've been thinking about a lot lately has to do with my character and one of my favorite verses - John 3:30 - He must become greater, I must become less. It's funny how one thought can change the way you think about everything.
I've really been enjoying all the fall colors as the trees change, so I make sure I walk around campus taking my sweet time taking it all in before the snow comes. While I was walking past the library last week, I started to wonder how I would want to be described by someone. I want to be described as someone full of grace, compassion, love. A woman with a heart for others, puts others first in her life. is supportive, isn't proud, isn't self-seeking, is humble (got a long ways to go with that one), and is slow to anger. As I was journaling those things I realized that my mind has changed in the things I want people to see in me, especially in comparison to my life last year at this time. The things I want people to see in me - compassion, love, etc. - those aren't things that I am naturally. Those are things that Christ is.
He must become greater, I must become less.
How I've really seen that in my life this week is that even though I am completely exhausted and weighed down with a million deadlines, I am not stressed out. I am not angry, frustrated or upset. I've been in a great mood with a great attitude all week - and I've had joy all week. I've been actively seeking out Christ in the midst of all this craziness and spending time just the two of us.
This is something we talk about in my Bible study - what you believe (your desires) determines how you act. It's cool to see my heart in retrospect and see this kind of change - that some of my desires finally, finally match up with what Christ's desires are for me is so incredible. It makes the leaves a little brighter, the days even better, my attitude of joy even fuller.
My favorite camp song ever is called Lovely Noise. It's been my favorite since I started to understand Christ on a personal level (first year I was a counselor - I think I was 13?). I love to be joyful, and one of my favorite ways to praise Christ and experience enjoying him is through singing. This song is so simple but so full of truth and says what my heart feels! I don't need to be complex about my worship - I don't have to be on a mountainside to appreciate God's beauty.
Maybe I've helped you get a little perspective on joy in a day when you really needed it. My prayer is that there is one person somewhere who reads one of these blogs and reads something that they needed to hear. Need a praise pick me up? Youtube "Lovely Noise" by Hillsong kids. Embrace the joy that Christ has for you.
"....This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10
Everything that moves and breathes
Sing a song and praise the Lord
Lay your troubles at his feet
Sing a song and praise the Lord
If I'm rich or if I'm poor
Sing a song and praise the Lord
If I'm shaky or if I'm sure
Sing a song and praise the Lord
If I'm weak or if I'm strong
Sing a song and praise the Lord
If I'm short or if I'm long
Sing a song and praise the Lord
If I'm up or if I'm down
Sing a song and praise the Lord
If I'm square or if I'm round
Sing a song and praise the Lord
Oh what a lovely noise
When we raise our voice to sing
I wanna thank you Lord
You're the giver of all good things
Lovely Noise - Hillsong Kids
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