I never thought I’d be a 2nd Year Intern, and yet here I am. And not only that, but I’m an RA as well, which is such an honor and blessing. It’s going to be very stretching, and I’m a bit nervous because I don’t know what to expect. Gratefully, I’m working with a FANTASTIC team…. I genuinely like and enjoy each person, which always makes work easy. J It’s funny because half the time I’m excited to get to meet all these new people and be there for them, and then the other half I’m terrified of what I might have to face, and if I have enough patience and grace to handle it all! Today a few of the other 2nd Years moved in and it was good seeing familiar faces and noticing how some people haven’t changed, but you still love them. J The 1st Years move in over the next 3 days, so the dorms are soon going to be PACKED out, but it’s going to be SO good.
Quite literally, over the past few hours, God’s been doing a lot in me…. I’ve been reading Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola (PLEASE GO BUY THIS BOOK. IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE. I‘M NOT EVEN JOKING.), and it’s been completely opening my mind and spirit to what I thought about Jesus, who He is, what He’s building (His Church), the part that I play….and I haven’t even finished reading it yet. But I’ve just pondering over all these things and have this intensely renewed anticipation and expectation for all God wants to do in and through me over these next 9 months. It’s a bit out of my grasp to articulate what I’m trying to explain, but it’s a good thing.
It’s funny because every resident gets a Bible verse on their name tag that’s placed on the front of their room door. The Head RAs get that job and we’ve been encouraged to practice that as well. Our Resident Director gave us RAs our individual verses, and mine for the year is 1 John 3:23: “And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us.” I didn’t like it because it sounded so simple, so generic; surely God couldn’t speak to me through something so plain! So I asked my RD and of course, she, being the incredible teacher/preacher that she is, goes on and preaches a sermon to me just off one verse! “You’re complicated,” she says, “and this verse is to remind you about what’s important….” Seeing as my schedule is going to be loaded this year with lots on my plate, keeping Jesus CENTRAL is going to be KEY to being an effective leader and squeezing every ounce of life out of these next 9 months.
I had an interesting summer; it wasn’t what I expected it to be at all. And yet in the midst of my confusion and questioning, I encountered God (or better said, God encountered me) in a way I haven’t experienced in a long time. I sowed this summer, invested it in Him, and this year I’m going to reap a harvest. I’m expecting a lot of clarity, vision, and focus from God this year. I guess a down-side to being “complicated,” or multi-faceted is that there’s an extensive list of options. But I don’t want options; I want God’s will above my own….and most of the time my own will changes with the weather! Life with God is such an adventure, and I have to keep reminding myself of that before I get depressed with details and planning. I don’t have to fear the unknown, when the One who is already there, is present with me, and dwelling within me.
And….it’s raining again. Oh, Seattle….
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers -- most of which are never even seen -- don’t you think He’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”
~ Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:30-34, The Message)
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