Show, Give, And Rejoice

I just have to say, the past two weeks have been such a blur but a blast! Working at IRBC (Iowa Regular Baptist Camp) is always, by far, the best part of my summer, but it seems, this year, to be more stress than a blessing. I mean, summer started two weeks ago, this is my first week actually at home, and I'm still constantly on the go! I know I need to be happy and show love rather than being in a "poopy-mood", there's NO WAY I can show God's love if I'm acting all tired, lazy, and annoyed with the world! But what am I supposed to be happy about?! I don't feel happy!

Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, Rejoice!

For goodness sake. We have the Lord to rejoice in! God sent His One and Only Son to die for me! For you! There's no reason to act like a grumpy poopface! We should be rejoicing and joyful and full of love -spreading God's love to everyone!

Our staff theme at camp this year is Love, and one requirement for all staff was to memorize The Love Chapter (1 Corinthians 13) in one week. Our focus was on God's type of love - Agape, not the world's  brotherly type of love - Phileo or out of affection love - Eros.  God love is about others, but the world's love is focused on self. Our challenge was to show and give love to others without trying to get anything in return, and honestly, it was really hard! It was all I could do to just TRY! And only for one week!

I challenge you with this. Love is not a feeling - Love is action. Show someone you love them; don't just tell them. Give love; don't expect love in return. And lastly, Rejoice!

What am I doing?

Ya ever feel like everything you do... it's all just a waste of time? Because, lately?... That's all that's going through my mind.

I mean like - I wake up, take a shower, drive to school while eating my breakfast, mindlessly flow through the school day, drive home, do my homework, watch a TV show, and go to bed again. Then I wake up and do the whole thing over again! I honestly feel like I'm wondering through life and have no purpose.

I hate it.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Luke 10:27).

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).
So what am I supposed to do with my time? My life? What's my purpose in living?!

1. Rejoice

2. Pray without ceasing

3. Give thanks in everything

4. Love The Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind

5. Love your neighbor

6. Seek the kingdom of God

7. Seek His righteousness

Here are seven things to start with; I'll be right alongside. 

Give Me A Sign

Dear God,

I don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore. I thought it was a sign. I thought you were trying to show me something - to prove something. Are you sure? God? Are you sure? Do you really want me to give up? To give up on him?

I don't want to let him go if You're not going to bring me someone better.

 Wow.

 Did I just say that? 

I'm stupid. I can not believe I just said that. Sometimes I wish you couldn't hear everything I was the thinking. It would be a whole heck of a lot less embarrassing.

Derp. You know. You know everything. You know him. You know me. You know what's happened, what's happening, and what will happen. Show me. Help me. Give me evidence. Give me a sign. 

Amen