Every day we are surrounded by choices and decisions, small choices and big choices. "What if I go to college here or there?" "What if I don't go at all?" "What if I pick the wrong career path?" "What if when the time comes I marry the wrong person?" At this age and time in my life, there are what feels like many big decisions to be made. Lots of growing up to be done and many overwhelming changes happening. I think one of the biggest and most common questions that followers of Christ start to ask themselves at this time is, "What is God's will for my life?" and "How can I figure it out?"
After some stressing and freaking out about life and it's sometimes confusing adventures I found the answer. Here it is:
"Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Remind yourself: God is here, I am His, let's hang out. Be in a continuous, active relationship with our maker.
There isn't a map lined out in front of us telling us to do this and that. We still have many choices and decisions to make. But the truth is that He made us in his image. So therefore make choices, but know that if your heart's in the right place you will make wiser choices. If you're tuned into His heart you'll make loving choices. We get to make choices. It's a privilege. He made us in His image for a reason. But here is the kind of heart we should have to enable us to make those wise choices: rejoice always, pray continuously, and in everything be thankful. That is God's will for us.
Disclaimer: I got to pondering upon all of this after listening to a podcast titled End of Religion from Woodland Hills Church. If I learned anything through school it was not to plagiarize. And for whatever reason I would feel guilty haven written all that and not telling you from where it was inspired by. I think my English teachers would be proud. #walkervalley
So along with all of that, something that has also been on my heart are some questions. Or you could see them as doubts. Doubt is a normal part of faith and life. And not something we should be ashamed of. I think doubt, uncertainty, and curiosity lead to a stronger faith and more wisdom.
It's awesome how God can bring people into your life at just the right time. For the past year, I've really been thinking about what it is I believe. I love the Lord with my whole being and believe Jesus is my Savior. But why do I believe this? I don't want to just be a Christian who loves Jesus and attends church. Those were thoughts that would run through my mind every once in awhile but with the distractions of life it wasn't too hard to ignore or get side tracked. But a few days ago, a friend and I were talking and these questions were unveiled again. My friend asked, "Do you ever have doubts about religion? Maybe not about God, but about christianity? Sometimes I can't get passed the idea of hell. How can better people than me go to hell? And then what about other religions? What makes me right? The fact that I just happened to be born in America in a strong Christian family?" All of these are valid questions. The one thought that comes to mind when thinking this is "Seek and you will find Me."
I've been in Paraguay for almost 3 months. Which means I'm already half way through this journey. Craziness. And having been living on my own for the first time and being somewhat disconnected from the distractions back home, it's made me really start to think and dig deeper into these questions that I had simply tossed aside in the past.
I asked my dad these same questions and he responded, "As far as hell is concerned, no one goes to hell that doesn’t want to…having said that, if a person spends all their time on earth trying to avoid God, you have to wonder why they would want to go to heaven…it will be especially hard to avoid Him there. On people born in other nations and people groups…the question to ask is, “Can Jesus get to people in spite of their belief systems?” The answer is, “Absolutely!” In fact, He may be able to reach a Muslim easier than a Christian. Being born in “Christian America” can actually be a more difficult hurdle to finding Jesus than a Hindu born in India. Bottom line: there is no belief system that Jesus cannot get through to rescue people…He does it every day.”
All so true. I don’t consider myself a religious person. I don’t believe religion was God’s original intent. I love the Lord and desire to have an intimate relationship with Him. I want to “wrestle” with Him and dig deeper into the Kingdom of God. It was really comforting and inspiring to see that there are people my age, male and female, that are making an effort to think for themselves and seek the Lord on a much deeper level. My parent’s always told my siblings and I that one of the best things you can do is to “learn to think for yourself. Don’t let others think for you.”
So yeah. That’s what’s been on my mind and heart these past few weeks.
As far as Paraguay, it’s wonderful! And the children are even better!! :)
Teaching may not be my thing haha, but the experience is awesome. I have to remind myself I’m in the middle of South America doing what many people dream of doing. It has been and is continuing to be a blessing. Definitely starting to realize that the good-byes that will come sooner than later are going to be hard. Spanish and English are basically all we do here haha. When we’re not teaching we are constantly having people and kids over wanting to practice English in exchange for help with our Spanish.
I’m about to celebrate my 19th birthday here Paraguayan/American style. And maybe even a little Canadian since my two fellow interns are from Canada and just so happened to bring Canada cupcake liners with them haha :) This will be my second birthday celebrated in a foreign country! So here’s to 3 more months in Paraguay!
Thought of the Day: Gratitude is the response to grace. It just makes since.
P.S. I got attacked by another frog in the middle of the night last night…my dislike for frogs is steadily increasing.
~Aubree
