Fearless Surrender: Praise Him

To say that this summer has gone by quickly would be the understatement of a lifetime. One week left of camp, then I'm home. Here's a recap of some of the things I've been learning:

We don't serve a God who doesn't care. We don't serve a God who doesn't understand.
Lonely? He's been there. His closest friends fell asleep in His deepest time of need. [26:36-46]
Rejected? He's been there. He was beaten, spit on, and cruxified. [Matthew 27:27-31]
Hebrews 4:14-16: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
I've learned to cling to the cross in ways I could never have imagined possible. There were times this summer when I wasn't sure how I'd make it to the next day. Days where I couldn't understand why. Weeks of deep, aching pain that never left. Those were the days I learned to cling to my sweet Jesus. Those were the days I learned what it truly meant to make Christ my foundation. When everything else fell around me, when all the things I had previously found solace in failed, I learned to cling to Christ with more fervor than I knew to be possible. When my heart was breaking, and I didn't even have the strength to cry, I learned to cling to Him. I came to realize that I really, truly can't do it on my own. I needed my Hope. I needed my Strength. I needed my Jesus with a new found desperation that I pray for daily. Christ brought sweetness to what otherwise would have been some of my darkest days in a long time. Through those weeks, my identity was tested - would I choose to crumble under the weight of all the pressure, or would I stay calm in the knowledge that my identity is found in Christ, and not in circumstances? Through those weeks, I experienced joy in ways I couldn't have known to be possible otherwise. Even when I was sad, broken, and all the fears I'd ever experienced were coming into realization, I experienced joy through hardship. I was refined through the fire. I found a thirst for Christ deep in my soul that couldn't be quenched. Praise God for His ability to work even through the hardest of situations.

I've learned the sweetness of communion with Jesus. The beauty in time with my Lord. I've learned to find my rest in His presence. I've learned the importance of taking time away from the craziness of life to sit with Him. I've learned to pray from my heart, and ask for big things. I've learned gratitude I could never have imagined. I've learned to breathe deeply in the presence of the Lord. I wouldn't trade my intimacy with Christ for anything.

Along that note, praise God for seasons when I get to focus on Him. Praise Him for renewing my mind. I am a new creation. He reminds me of that daily. I used to view singleness as a burden and a punishment, but it's neither of those things. When else will I be able to focus solely on my sweet Jesus? Praise Him for the gift of singleness and the beauty of this season of life. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

God's given me a deeper understanding of the gospel. I used to come before the throne with the mindset that since I'd done so many good works for God, I deserved to be blessed. Now it's because He's blessed me that I desire to do good works. Praise Him for His ability to redeem. I can't even put into words some of the things He's taught me about the gospel. Praise Him for this season when I can see the changes He's making in my heart. I can feel His peace and rest.

Not sure that was all that articulate. Feel free to ask me how God's been working, I love talking about my sweet Jesus!

Fearless Surrender

Praise Him

Aunica

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