It’s August!! I can’t believe it...summer went by much too fast. Seeing that a blog post is long overdue, I figured that now would be a good time to post one, as I reflect on how I’ve grown and what God has done this summer.
August A time of transition We try to squeeze in every last bit of summer that we can: with adventures and free time and fun with friends Yet we’re also looking towards the next season of school: with new classes and things to organize and preparing for the change ahead I want to enjoy this month, but it feels rushed. There’s this pressure in the back of my mind, always lurking, constantly reminding me of summer goals I haven’t met, places I haven’t gone, and things I have to do for school. All of it- crammed into the last two weeks of summer. Sounds kinda dumb when I say it that way, huh? Obviously I cannot cram an entire summer’s worth of hopes and dreams and adventures and goals into the last two weeks. Yet so often I put this pressure on myself to be perfect and live the best possible life. But I must remind myself: life is a journey. It is not all or nothing, perfect or a complete fail: it will be messy. There are lazy moments and exciting moments and dark moments and joyful moments and every moment in between. The fullest possible life? That’s one lived walking with Christ. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” {John 10:10 ESV} When I trust life to Him, I begin to release my grasp on the need to make it go perfectly, and in exchange, my open hands receive His peace and freedom and rest. And when I fall back into believing that any slight imperfection is “failing at life,” there is grace. Oh, so much grace! It’s unconditional forgiveness and love that goes beyond. It’s a Love that says I am worthy of experiencing peace, even as I’m figuring things out. It’s a Love that pours out blessings and little moments of joy, no matter how clear my mind is or how “perfect” my day is going. It’s a Love that always works for good, even behind the scenes when I’m distracted or far from His heart. It’s a Love that, more than anything else, says “I am with you,” holding my hand and rejoicing over me, every step of the way. These truths, as I let them sink into my heart, transform me from the inside out. I find a contentment that I cannot find anywhere else. I know, trusting in God, that I am exactly where I should be. Life is in His hands, so instead of worrying, I can just be present H E R E. It’s hard, I know. There are so many thoughts in your head, things you want to do and who you want to be; the ways in which the summer has let you down or how August must be perfect; how to start this school year off right. You may feel frustrated or stuck, wondering how could you possibly change enough to get to “that place” and really be okay. But you are not the only force at work here. You don’t have to do it all alone. In fact, when you’re in that place of unrest or dissatisfaction, oftentimes, it can stir up a passion and desire to move forward. So use that, and make a choice: Do you choose to sink back into your comfort zone, trying to make life feel good? Do you try to work hard on every goal at once and hope to find some source of contentment along the way? Those may be the go-to options, but I’ve found (from personal experience) that going to Christ is the best choice. When we choose to trust God, taking baby steps forward and allowing Him to continue stirring up that passion in our hearts, He works to bring growth and transformation in our lives. He has a perfect plan for us. His power is all we need, so we do not have to do life on our own. Even in the bad moments or days or seasons, our God already conquered the grave. He is Love and Grace that meets us where we’re at, with the Power and Goodness to work in our lives every single day. So I encourage you today to try to let go - all the worries, doubts, pressures, expectations - and simply trust God. I know it’s easier said than done sometimes, but our Father’s love for us welcomes us in, even amidst the uncertainty that comes in moments of surrender. As His children, all we have to do is open our arms to receive HIm. He’s already by our side, He’s already working for the best in our lives, and He wants us to know that we can rest in Him. Breathe in. Think about what you’re holding on to. Breathe out. Let it all go. God has got you, through all of the ups and downs. Just trust.
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AuthorHi! My name is Rachel Schoeff, and I'm a college student in Cleveland, Ohio. With this blog, I aspire to share a little bit of what God is doing in my life, and use that to inspire others. We're all messy people, and we're never going to be perfect, but I hope that, together, we can all learn to embrace being "perfectly in progress." Archives
August 2019
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