So tonight's MNL ("Monday Night Live" aka our large group Chi Alpha meeting) especially hit me. It wasn't really the message though. It was what happened before the message. Sarah and Hai-in spoke about the Chi Alpha internship. This is something that I have always thought would be cool to do, but didn't necessarily take it completely serious as an option. Tonight it just impacted me so strongly. It is definitely an option that I have to consider. I got really amped up hearing about it. It was one of the few times I thought to myself, "I can't wait to graduate." Thoughts about graduating a year or semester early even came through my head, even though I am not even considering that. It was really tough to kind of settle back down for the message by Josh Fairchild after that.
The message came from Mark 10:17. It was mainly about living for God instead of the world. Turning in our idols for God. It was a really reassuring message. I'm still not sure if this whole ministry thing has been confirmed by God, but one thing is for sure. This feeling and desire is not going away. It is only getting stronger. The fact that I wanted to graduate now is crazy! I love UVA. I don't ever want to go.
I will definitely explore more about this and other things through prayer and talking with one of my best friends Alex (core group leader from last year and now intern). I'll probably talk to Seth (co-leader) about it some too considering he is also an intern. Heck I might even talk about it some to my boy Charlie during my spring break trip to Marshall.
There is only one thing left to do now and that is continuing to pray for God's will to be done and to not let my desires and passions to get in the way of God's work.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Action Packed Thought
Do you think before you act or act before you think? These are two distinctively different personality types, but both of them can get you into trouble. Just like most things, each personality type has its pros and cons. I'm not trying to analyze personalities in this post, so don't expect that. What I want to look at in particular is the type, thinking before acting, because that is what I identify with.
So you are the thinker. You always think before you act. Often times these people are the more timid people. You didn't get into much trouble as a kid. It is always a good idea to think before you act, but there is a problem associated with it. Me being one of these people, I find myself often times over thinking certain things. Sometimes I think about something so much I end up missing my chance to act on it. Perhaps it's during a small group discussion. I think about what I'm going to say so long in my head to make sure it all comes out perfect that I miss my chance to talk. Thought without action isn't helpful. As a Christian we are designed to be in community. In order to experience the life God intended for us, we must exit our minds and do something. We can't live in our heads. We are called to "go and make disciples of all nations."(Matthew 28:19, NIV) In order to do this, we must take a leap of faith. For me that was thinking less and doing more. Spending less time in my head and more time in the group and in the community. One thing that has really helped me do this is going out to do 2x2 evangelism around grounds at UVA. As you would expect, there isn't much time to just sit there thinking out each word you're going to say. That would just be awkward. It has really helped me think and talk at the same time. It takes a leap of faith that I will indeed have an answer and something to say. That all leads back to quiet time, spending time with Jesus in the scriptures. The more you know, the easier it will be to regurgitate it and to think on your feet. "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13, NIV) This verse sums it up, but the thing is in order to get the strength from God, you must spend time with God. God can't pour into you if you don't let him. God isn't going to force his way into your heart. You have to open it up to him. It is through our quiet time that shows our dependence on God and lets him into our life. We were given such a beautiful gift in the Bible. Don't waste it.
So you are the thinker. You always think before you act. Often times these people are the more timid people. You didn't get into much trouble as a kid. It is always a good idea to think before you act, but there is a problem associated with it. Me being one of these people, I find myself often times over thinking certain things. Sometimes I think about something so much I end up missing my chance to act on it. Perhaps it's during a small group discussion. I think about what I'm going to say so long in my head to make sure it all comes out perfect that I miss my chance to talk. Thought without action isn't helpful. As a Christian we are designed to be in community. In order to experience the life God intended for us, we must exit our minds and do something. We can't live in our heads. We are called to "go and make disciples of all nations."(Matthew 28:19, NIV) In order to do this, we must take a leap of faith. For me that was thinking less and doing more. Spending less time in my head and more time in the group and in the community. One thing that has really helped me do this is going out to do 2x2 evangelism around grounds at UVA. As you would expect, there isn't much time to just sit there thinking out each word you're going to say. That would just be awkward. It has really helped me think and talk at the same time. It takes a leap of faith that I will indeed have an answer and something to say. That all leads back to quiet time, spending time with Jesus in the scriptures. The more you know, the easier it will be to regurgitate it and to think on your feet. "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13, NIV) This verse sums it up, but the thing is in order to get the strength from God, you must spend time with God. God can't pour into you if you don't let him. God isn't going to force his way into your heart. You have to open it up to him. It is through our quiet time that shows our dependence on God and lets him into our life. We were given such a beautiful gift in the Bible. Don't waste it.
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