Spring Semester

I finally have decided to start blogging and I am pretty excited about it. For my first post I wanted to share some thoughts about the upcoming spring semester and give praise to our wonderful Saviour, Jesus Christ. First off, the new semester is about to begin and I am so ecstatic/nervous. New semesters always bring excitement and new beginnings but I want this semester to be different than any other.

Last semester was a huge season of growing for me. The Lord brought new friends into that my life that would shape my character and show me what true love from our Saviour looks like. There were many times that I was confused about life in general and felt as if I were not growing. But the Lord, as always, had very different plans for me. Now that i look back, He disciplined me in ways that I can not begin to describe. I am so thankful for all of his works, even though I often do not understand. I am so blessed to have solid Christian friends who love the Lord and constantly push me towards Him. But at this point in my life I feel that its time for me to step out in faith and stop relying on comfort that I depend on from my Christian bubble. Each day is a struggle in the sense that i seek immediate and temporary satisfaction. I don't want to be lukewarm, but on fire for the Lord. I pray this semester that my life will reflect this verse- He must become greater; I must become less.- John 3:30. I have a few things in mind to help achieve these things:

1. Use my time with an eternal perspective

2. Focus on others and not myself

3. Seek first His glory

4. Trust in His faithfulness and plans

5. Share the gospel with boldness

6. Reach out to friends who do not know the Lord

7. Speak with love and grace not just truth

8. Let go of my control issues and let Him lead

9. Learn more scripture and challenge myself

10. Above all, bring him glory and make His name famous

Life brings many unexpected twists and turns. I personally hate sudden or unplanned events. These are the things that make life "interesting" and eventful. In certain aspects of my life I prefer order,schedules, and ultimately control. But this morning as I was reading Jesus Calling this line jumped out at me- Disruptions to your routine highlight your dependence on Me. I immediately began to think of how angry I get when things in my schedule go wrong . PTL for showing me where I constantly mess up and reminding me there is hope found in Him.

For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us

a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! -2 Corinthians 4:17.

Again, another thing me and JC are trying to work out and hopefully improve in the days to come