Without You

Hi blog world. Happy 2012!

'Taps mic' Is there anybody out there? In my mind, I have this idea that this blog is purely a journal between Faith & I, and that despite it being publicized on the World Wide Web, no other person in their right mind reads this thing.

But if you do happen to venture on here every now and then, thank you. Especially given our rather sporadic posts. I hope reading this blog has brought glory to God and has encouraged you to set your eyes on Jesus. If there is anything I can pray for you for or encourage you with please let me know =]

I guess I can briefly update you on my life. Time is flying! I'm graduating in a couple months, leaving the place I have known for 4 years, to travel to a place unknown: Life Post Graduation. Sounds daunting. I'm actually nervous and excited all at the same time. Going to Passion 2012 was the PERFECT way to start my year. I love its mission verse: "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts" Isaiah 26:8 Note: Desire as in one thing not an additional thing

This has been my cry since Passion; Lord may the glory of your name be the only thing I want. I could write a book on what happened in those 4 days in Atlanta. Matter of fact, I'm still journaling about it. People ask me what I learned most from Passion; and my reaction goes a little something like this: my brain racks for some sophisticated phrase or lesson I learned, as I try to communicate how my heart changed, but the only thing that comes to mind is Jesus.

So as soon as I came back from Atlanta. Plop like a grand baby piano falling from the sky, Mr. Reality decides to set in and I realized I actually have to live the life God has called me to; dealing with relationships, overcoming fears, fighting sleepless nights, and conjuring up finales to end stories. Suddenly I was overwhelmed, forgetting the peace of God's presence that I had shared with 45,000 other college students. Believe it or not I do forget all His benefits from time to time unlike Psalm 103 tells us not to.

REST.

I need rest.

My soul, mind, body, spirit, you name it.

& I have a secret so good, I think it would make the headlines to all the latest talk shows. WE MUST LOOK TO JESUS TO FIND THIS REST. Okay, so maybe its not breaking news because the bible has revealed it to us, but open up your bible people and share its truth with others!

Once again we as humans [thankfully] fail. We can not even rest without God's assistance. This is because Jesus is rest. If you look at Hebrews 4 you can see that all who have believed the gospel which has made a way to enter's God's rest were granted such. & We know that it is only by the blood of Christ that our eyes are unveiled and we are able to believe His' acts on the cross. Therefore it is fitting for Him to say,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

When the Israelites were not in a time of rest, they were constantly in a battles many times because of the wrath of God. Like so we are not able to receive rest as children of wrath; sinners. "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5

So why do we try to earn rest. Sinners nor saints can earn such a thing, as both cannot earn grace. We cannot earn something we don't deserve. It is a gift! We are given rest, and abiding in Jesus will help us remember this reality.

It's like a time I was in Haiti. I had gotten up to eat breakfast without drinking anything. I then went downstairs to take a nap. An hour and a half later I rushed out of bed to join my mom upstairs. I sat on a kitchen stool and began to feel dizzy. I knew something was wrong so I tried to slow down my actions. I started to feel queasy and sweat began to accumulate on my forehead. This event seemed far too familiar. A long story short I had to sit in front of a fan, drinking water, with a terrified mother threatening to call the doctor until I began to feel better. This weird turn of events can easily happen to me if I don't stay hydrated, yet, I chose to take a nap and spend half of the day without drinking a sip of water, all while expecting to wake up from the nap refreshed.

Sound familiar? It's the same with Jesus, we cannot try to rest, without abiding in Him, and expect to get up refreshed.

Once again I learn Oh Lord, Without You I Can Do Nothing.

-Steph