One Year Later

Wow. It's been a year since I started blogging. I just finished going back and reading every blog entry from the past year... it's amazing how far I've come since then. A year ago doesn't seem to be all that long ago, but in reading tonight, it seems like ancient history. There are some similarities, though. A year ago I was getting ready for an awesome spring break trip - and very excited about getting out of town for a week and maybe helping some others in the process. I'm sitting in the same seat again, at the same desk, with the same excitement.

With this excitement, and knowing how much the last spring break trip changed me and really shaped the last year of my life, I thought I'd reflect on some of the bigger things I've learned in the past year...

1. Firstly and most importantly, seek God with all of your mind, soul, heart, and strength, and love Him likewise. I could never convey anything more important than this.

2. Never become comfortable (this and others probably go along with numero uno). It is the moment that we become comfortable that we will find ourselves drifting from God. Why should we ever become comfortable in a world that we were not made to live in? In the words of another author, we are aliens in a foreign place. We should most certainly enjoy the gifts God has blessed us with (eg - His other creations), but being comfortable isn't really what we're called to be.

3. Be careful of finding one person (author, musician, preacher, leader, etc) that you learn most from. In other words - don't do it. Let the Word of God be your only source of guidance. Read other people and listen to others and definitely check out some of the awesome music out there - but don't let it replace the Word. Without the Word, where would we be?

4. I hear a lot of talk about unconditional love. About being a real friend to others. About doing anything for anyone else. About loving others as ourselves. If you're going to claim the name (or words in this case), do it in actions, and let the words follow (if they're needed at all). Too often we use words to say who we are... words can never describe some things - only our actions will define who we are... where our treasure is, our heart will be also. What is most important to us? What is our treasure? Seek to make the words you speak a reality.

5. Do everything in love. When you see wrong being done, speak up. When you see someone else falling, reach out a hand and try to pull them back up. Never do these things because you see yourself as elite - for the truth is that none of us are elite... we are all equally children of God. None better, none worse. God loves each of us equally. It is because of this love that we are called to love everyone whom we encounter, and help them as much as humanly possible (or maybe more?) to love our God with their all and everything.

6. Dream. Wonder. Think with the simplicity of a child. Anything is possible. We too often see our effort to give God everything as unreachable or with too many obstacles. The path he calls us to travel is not one we can do on our own... this is why He tells us that all things are possible. When the journey and life that He calls you to lead seems to be tough, read His words from Matthew 7... with God, nothing is impossible.

7. God's timing is perfect. He calls us to be patient... we should learn this trait as soon as we can. We can pray about something all day long and until we're red in the face, but ultimately, we must learn to be patient for God to act. Do not be anxious... so many times this past year I've been in a very bad situation, but by a miracle God alone is capable of, everything worked out.

Well, those are a few things. This past year has taken me to places I'd never thought I'd end up, and led me to some of the most incredible friendships I could have ever imagined. From Clemson to Florida to the Bahamas to New Orleans... God is awesome. Really. He leaves me in awe. So many times. Words could never do it justice.

I pray that this next 365 days might be as incredible as the last... with God as my guide, who knows where I'll end up. May I glorify Him in all that I do, and love without strings everyone whom I might encounter.

soooooooooooooo thankful, and with a smile bigger than the sun,
chris

<><