Friday 29 May 2009

Press On

What do you think about rash decisions? I've concluded today that for the most part, they're not a good idea. I was very close today to dropping out of my chemistry course. Save me a lot of stress and headaches, why not? It's super hard and I'll be very lucky to pass this course and I don't need it. I talked to my guidance counselor for 15 minutes and my options are actually not too bad.

But then I started thinking about this a little bit more. I still need another credit in place of that and that would mean more time and possibly not being able to finish this year and more money, all for something I'm not sure is going to be any better. And I'm almost three-quarters of the way through and if I worked consistently it may only mean about two more weeks and then my exam. So realistically speaking, the whole idea was a pretty stupid one. But I just about did it to try and get out of something I don't like.

I said I couldn't do it. In and of myself and my own strength I can't. But Who do I serve? I serve a great and awesome God that can do a whole lot more than help me pass a chemistry course. By His power, I can. I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. How can I share with others this incredible God when I can't put my trust in Him in such a matter as chemistry? What else do I promote? I really enjoy telling people about the Rebelution and Do Hard Things. And here I'm throwing in the towel for schoolwork that I don't understand. Where's the perseverance? Why am I not striving for excellence and doing the hard things God has put in my life?

Overall, I didn't have peace over withdrawing from this course. When I got to the store this afternoon, I flipped through the book Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, which I bought today, and began scanning chapter titles: Determination; Standing Tall When Tested; Standing Firm When Discouraged; Standing Strong When Tempted. Over and over the words ring. Press on. Persevere. DON'T GIVE UP! This is what God has called us to.

Friday 8 May 2009

Your Life

The video I posted earlier on this week of Clayton McDonald has brought new thoughts and questions to mind. Why is it that we often assume we have a long life ahead of us? Why do we often automatically think we have 70 or 80 years to live? To be honest, I think many of us go throughout our days with this mentality. Do you ever wake up in the morning and wonder if that may be your last day? Most of us would probably have to say no.

I think we often have a more fairy tale idea of our lives, especially girls. We dream of meeting some wonderful person, getting married, and living in a cute, cozy little home with lots of flowers and a white picket fence. So we have a nice, happy life, raise a family, whole-heartedly serve the Lord and one day we'll sit in a rocking chair and tell our grandchildren stories of when we were young'uns.

But what if we don't see tomorrow? Or what if God decides He has different plans for our lives than we have for ourselves? What if He decides to take you home before you're out of your teens? What if He, after one blissful year of marriage, He were to take your husband home, leaving your unborn baby fatherless and you a widow at age 22? What if your wife died in a car accident and left two young children without a mother?

Suddenly, our perfect dream world is shattered and we are ready to ask God "Why?" But He never told us we would have 80 perfect years. What we do know, though, is that His will is the best and it is there we are safe, as Clayton McDonald said. No, it won't be easy, but it is the best.

So, keeping this in mind, how do we live our lives? What if today was your last day?

Sunday 3 May 2009

Video

I would like to encourage everyone to watch this video. I have been incredibly blessed and challenged by it and I pray that you are as well. It's about half an hour and well worth your time.

Clayton McDonald