Biggest thing Jesus ever taught me: This is going to sound cliche, but I think that every believer comes to this idea at some point in their Christian walk: trust. I remember a few years ago, in a time of loneliness and doubt, it was always “trust.” The very foundation of salvation is trust; believing that God is who He says He is. The crazy thing is that trust is a part of grace. We can’t really trust Jesus on our own; He has to gently shove us toward trusting Him with our very lives. Man, He is so good. Just…good. No more words. XD
Biggest thing Jesus ever taught me: I have to agree with Sara…trust is so huge! It’s been super hard for me to learn to lean on Jesus. I get so stressed, and the root of it is simply that I don’t really fully trust my Father God to take care of me (Romans 8:15). So I guess perhaps the biggest thing God has taught me is what he’s teaching me every day…that he can be the source of my peace if I trust in him. Grace & peace & trust, baby! He is trustworthy and he is big enough to tackle anything that comes my way. <3
What the Lord is teaching me now: 1—“Busier” does not always equal “better.” Jesus also calls us to rest and enjoy the moments in-between (Heb. 4:9) our different activities. Let’s not fill our lives up so much that there’s not room to simply sit still and enjoy the company of the Lord our God.
2—Seek inward beauty instead of constant comparison. I spend so much time comparing and wishing my life looked more like the lives of those around me, and I cringe to think of how often that insecurity leads to judgment. What if, instead, I looked for the beauty inside people (1 Sam. 16:7), including myself? What if I learn more about who God says I am and be confident in that instead of seeking approval from others? What I look for, I’ll find. If I look for things to judge, I’ll have more than enough just by looking in the mirror. If, however, I search for beauty, I’ll always find it … because God is beauty, and he is everywhere (Psalm 139).
What the Lord is teaching me now: Oh goodness. Lately I feel like heaven’s opened up and everything just, you know, kinda clicks. Reading government: Oh, look. That verse. Again. Reading Econ: Oh look, I was just discussing that…
And today specifically, I’ve been thinking about hope & joy. It’s so hard to base these in Jesus when life’s going great. It’s when we step back and realize that “wow, way too much of my joy is found in this or that” that we can transfer our hope and joy to Jesus.
Relationship advice: “Single people give the best relationship advice.” Said one of my single peeps. Take it or leave it, but it all comes down to God’s plan. One of my friends kindly informed a young man that I would say “no” when he asked me out. Why? “Sara’s not looking for a relationship; she’s looking for God’s plan.” Couldn’t have said it better! When God’s plan does include a relationship, that’s going to be AMAZING. Like, I can’t even wait! But I will, cuz my Jesus knows what He’s doin’!!!!!
Relationship advice: Be honest. Honesty is super super important. I’ve seen people play the “game” of ignoring someone they like, flirting with someone just to make someone else jealous, etc.…and I get how that can make people feel powerful, but it’s not really kind. So let’s strive to be people of kind honesty—in all areas of life! First, let’s examine what we want to say and see if it’s kind. Will it build someone up? Does it go along with what Jesus walked and talked? And if so, let’s say it! I appreciate so much when people are honest about how they feel. And when they aren’t, it can end in a lotta confusion and more than a little hurt. So there’s my relationship rant…back to you, Sara.
One thing Mexico taught me: This year in Mexico, I found myself constantly thinking about “Oh, last year this…last year that….” and comparing the two trips. But they weren’t anything alike. I had to apologize to Rissa for constantly talking about the year before. The truth was that the year before was the year before…and this year was what was happening! As it turned out, God brought some of the coolest conversations/breakthroughs/experiences ever – this year!
One thing Mexico taught me: Oh goodness…Mexico. I miss it so much! Mexico taught me a lot, including the importance and beauty of smiles. I know a little Spanish, but not a ton, so I learned to smile to communicate. A lot. And I noticed how happy these kids got with even the smallest touches of love, like a hug, a piggy-back ride, or a smile. Loving connection means the world to these people…and I was reminded how important it really is. Seeing the gleeful grins on these kiddos who didn’t have much but had a double dose of love in their lives was beautiful and very convicting. Am I seeking loving connection? Or am I attempting to fill myself up with clothes and stuff and the next “best” thing? One more note: It was actually really neat, because at just the right moments just the right random Spanish 3 vocab words would pop into my brain…just what I needed to connect with the kids. It was pretty cool, and I think it was God putting those words in my brain—I seriously doubt I could’ve remembered them on my own! Yay for connections and God moments.
One thing this summer taught me: Ever step back and think “I did not live until this summer?” Story of my entire life. I feel like this summer spanned ten years. I met so many people with so many stories….I worked through challenges and had some pretty life-changing conversations. But the summer has definitely had a theme. Psalm 37: 3-5 says, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” The Lord used one of the verses to confirm my going to Mexico, and then a few weeks ago, {through a super wacky set of experiences}, the Lord gave them to me again, and then in the last couple days they’ve been coming up again. God’s love is pretty radical- He is relentless with His promises and guidance! I love Him so much!!
One thing this summer taught me: God is bigger. I have some friends who did some pretty nifty things over the summer, and for a while I struggled with some jealousy. I worried that God wouldn’t teach me as many cool things because I wasn’t having the amazing experiences they were. But then, the more I heard them chat and recall what God had taught them this summer, the more surprised I was…because God had taught me lessons quite similar while I was living out my summer—in Mexico, at camp, at VBS…and even at home. I tend to limit Jesus and think he can only reach me when I’m in a beautiful place with my highlighters, journal, and Bible at the ready. But God is bigger than anything I can even imagine, and he can break through and teach me the lessons I need the most in the most ordinary places imaginable. So let’s not put down the life Jesus has given us. Let’s rejoice in it and realize that his plans and his best will prevail. So whether I’m on a beautiful vacation, adventurous mission trip, or sitting at home on the couch, God will teach me whatever I need to hear, as long as I’m open to him. Nothing limits our King!
One thing Sara’s taught me: Loving people doesn’t have to be complicated or the result of years of planning. One of the best ways to show real, tangible love is simply by serving the person next to you. When we were in Mexico, our backs would be sore from wielding pickaxes and riding on super bumpy roads, so when we got back to the bunkhouses Sara (even though she was tired and quite sore herself) would give my back a massage and help me with my hair…these were “little” things, but they made me feel so loved and blessed. So let’s never feel like a gesture is too small or silly. Let’s love others “with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18), like Sara does.
One thing Rissa’s taught me: Well, first of all…I can’t quite take credit for all of the “acts of love” that she says I did. Rissa is pretty perfect, so brushing her gorgeous hair and giving her a massage was a blessing for me! As to what she’s taught me…? Where do I start?? She’s perfect! But my favorite thing about Rissa is her love for Jesus. I sometimes think about an email she sent probably more than a year ago, and it was so obvious that she was desperately in love with our Jesus. When you see someone like that, you want to be like them. “Iron sharpening iron” should be our mantra, because she is constantly sharpening me and encouraging me. {Carissa, please, let’s room together in college. That would be *excellent*. Also, we’ll take midnight trips to an OXXO equivalent store. #happiness}
Favorite quotes: Confession: I have waaay too many fave quotes to just pick one! So here are a couple of quotes I’m loving right now:
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”—Mary Oliver, The Summer Day
“You don’t have to be pretty like her. You can be pretty like you.”—Pinterest
“Interrupt your day with little celebrations. Your real life will all be waiting for you when you’re done, and nothing will be all that different. But you will.”—Luci Swindoll (She’s pretty amazing…look her up!)
Favorite quotes: {I agree with Rissa! Who can actually pick ONE favorite quote? These are some that make me super happy though!}
We are perishing for lack of wonder, not for lack of wonders. – G.K. Chesterton
If you love deeply, you’re going to get hurt badly, but it’s still worth it. – C.S. Lewis
Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one’s life with pomp and blare, like a gay knight riding down; perhaps it crept to one’s side like an old friend through quiet ways; perhaps it revealed itself in seeming prose, until some sudden shaft of illumination flung athwart its pages betrayed the rhythm and the music, perhaps. . . perhaps. . .love unfolded naturally out of a beautiful friendship, as a golden-hearted rose slipping from its green sheath. ”
– L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea {I love this sooo much, Sara! L.M. Montgomery is the best.}
I carry your heart. (I carry it in my heart.) e.e. cummings
We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. -Walt Disney
Okay, I’ll stop there…but eventually I’m going to do a blog post devoted solely to sappy quotes I find. Bring tissues.
Random thing I’ve learned along the way: Confidence is key. When we begin to grasp more fully that God chose us and we are forever his (Ephesians 1, people!!), our eyesight changes, and we become more comfortable with who God made us (Gen. 1:27; Psalm 139:14). As we stop worrying so much about ourselves, our focus starts to shift to God and others more. Obviously, this is a process and takes hard work and accountability (and lotsa prayer!), but it’s something that’s been on my brain lately.
Random thing I’ve learned along the way: Life is unpredictable. If you told me two years ago who I am today, I’d look at you and give you a “Say what? That’s crazy!” Because, sometimes, I step back and realize that I’m exactly who and where I always wanted to be. God’s plan sometimes takes us down scary roads, but He is a good Father. And someday, in the midst of a great trial, I’ll still believe that. Because it’s not about us being happy, but holy. Not about our dreams, but His will. But in the process, we have great joy and feel like our dreams are being fulfilled.
Verses I hold onto super tightly: Proverbs 16:9—“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” Hebrews 12:1-3—“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Romans 8:14-17—“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” I also adore Nehemiah 8:10 and Galatians 5:1…check ‘em out!
Verses I hold onto super tightly: I’ve already mentioned some, but Ephesians 3:20 has played a big part in my walk, as has Psalm 16:11 and Philippians 3:12-13. I love how Paul says “Not that I have already apprehended…” and it reminded me that we don’t have to have everything figured out, but can just keep going with life {which is something I really struggle with.} And Romans 12:2: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Jesus and I had quite a skirmish over this one. He won, as usual. My heart knows that it’s a lost cause to fight what God directs me to do, because, well, my heart is His. And both He and I know it!
Well there you have it, folks. Hopefully this encouraged, blessed, and/or inspired you a little today. Hopefully you’re reminded of how m u c h God loves you, and how amazing he made you!
<3 Blessings,
Sara and Rissa
Ephesians 3:20-21
Rissa's blog:
http://runningwithrissa.com
