A Year of Amazing Grace

This past year at school has been really amazing and a true blessing to me.I made some great new friends in my dorm. I learned  a couple songs on the guitar (which I had been wanting to do). I ran five miles straight for the first time. I had lots of adventures with my friends. I made some fantastic memories. I learned a lot in classes. But most of all: I changed. I grew.

I got really lonesome being away from my family. I cried a lot. I struggled a lot. But even through the messes that I have made I've found that God has had a greater plan in action. And that He can work out my mistakes for His good.

There were some sin issues in my life this past year that all really started the year before when I quit making time to actually read the bible in devotion time. I need to be in the Word often in order to keep my heart straight and focused on Christ and all that he has done for me and is continuing to do in me. When I don't, things fall apart and no matter how I try to cope with them or piece them back together it doesn't work. Me trying to fix my issues, and deal with my stress and loneliness by myself was like trying to put a band-aid on a mortal flesh wound.

Anyways, as the year was coming to a close, I really felt convicted that I needed to confess some of the things that I was struggling with and had struggled with over the past year, to my RA. I was terrified. My RA was like my best friend, and I didn't want how she saw me to change. But I knew what I was supposed to do, and with God's help I confessed. And what really amazed me was the amazing grace that she displayed to me.  When I really deserved punishment for things I had messed up, I received grace and love. I was really impressed- and I think that she was an awesome display of Christ through her actions. While we deserve death and punishment for all that have done wrong, Christ took that punishment for us, and invites us to be part of his family. That, is truly amazing.

Throughout this summer I've been working quite a bit to save up money for the next couple years at college, and have been taking summer classes. Something that God has really impressed me with this summer is that we need to do everything to His glory. That is our purpose in life, and Christ is most glorified through us when we are most satisfied in Him. If you're reading this post and you want a good read about glorifying Christ in  your life check out the book Radical- by David Platt, or Don't Waste Your Life- by John Piper.