Take Me Deeper

This has been a long awaited post but I am finally getting around to playing catch up on sharing different things God has been showing me and what is going on in my life.

These past few months have been so full and extremely busy. The fall semester I spent quite a bit of time acclimating to my senior schedule and working out college details. Academically it has been a challenge which can be stressful at times. My time management skills have faltered a little. It is so abnormal and I am looking forward to overcoming that in the spring semester. I tried to blame it on senioritis but I don't need an excuse because that just causes my motivation to decrease even more.

Academics are important to me. God calls us to work at everything we do with all of our heart as if we were working for Him and not for men (Colossians 3:23). That inspires and encourages me. This semester (in my school struggles) all of it became so tedious and mundane. I became restless in my day to day living. Frustration slowly crept in as I sought the Lord in all areas of life but specifically in my academics. I desired to spend time in His presence but the overwhelming amount of school was a battle. I lived freely and fully and enjoyed life. I really did make wonderful memories but there was this unspoken frustration when it came to school and just important tasks I needed to get done.

I lacked motivation academically. The lack there came from the lack of excitement in a way spiritually. Yes, God is constantly teaching me and opening my eyes to a different perspective but I felt dry and needed refreshment. That is exactly how I felt academically.

At this time I became weaker. My strength drained even more. But His strength became more evident. In my weakness, His strength was greater. God was breaking me so that He could be my source of strength. He was taking me deeper.

These past few months that has been a constant process. My weakness has become more obvious but only so His strength could become mine (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) so that I could grow into a deeper level with Him. This past semester God used academics to reveal that. Even in school I cannot do it in my own strength. When I try to do even those little things on my own I become frustrated and drained. God created us to need Him and and I am learning that. If I am purposeful about my time with the Lord His strength will be mine in my weakness.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." -Matthew 6:33

Jesus is talking to the multitudes and previous to this verse he explains that if God takes care of the birds of the air how much more will He care for us? He encourages them to not worry about the daily things in life but be faithful in seeking the Lord first and everything else we need He will take care of.

That has been my motivation and what will carry me this semester. I am learning every day how refreshing the presence of God is and the strength I gain from Him. I look forward to this last semester of high school to live out all that God has taught me and is continuing to teach me. I will definitely need that as I continue into college and medical school especially. I love how He prepares us for all that He has for us. I see the preparation and am so thankful for God's personal relationship with us.

{24 Days of Thanksgiving=Day 10}

Some people might find this strange or not believe my sincerity but today I am so thankful for my school and the education I have been so blessed to receive. When I think about those who are not given the opportunity to learn it makes me even more grateful that I am. Even though I don't always enjoy all of my school or my homework God can use it all to teach me something. Education is important to me. There is so much that I gain from studying history, learning physics, and my english classes. I have learned a lot more about the history of our country this semester as I study American History, interesting (and applicable) things in Physics, and so much more than just writing in English.

English may be seen as a boring and tedious subject by some but I have a love for words. It is not my best subject and does not come easily yet I really enjoy it. I owe the love for writing to my wonderful teachers. Throughout middle school Mrs. Watson inspired creativity through her teaching and personal love for writing. Then in my eighth grade year I was so blessed when Mrs. Minter came to teach at our school. Not only did she love writing but she loved us. She truly cared and that made english all the more enjoyable. I had her through tenth grade and in those three years she taught us so much. I was sad when my classes with her ended but I felt well prepared for whatever God had next; and I was. In my junior year I took English Composition 1 and 2 and came out with A's in both classes. Now in my senior year of high school and taking World Literature (not the easiest class but bearable with the teaching I have previously received) I look back and remember the great times I had in those english classes with Mrs. Minter. How often is someone able to receive a quality education with caring and wise teachers?

I have learned not to take that for granted...especially as I encounter challenging professors in dual credit college classes. It helps me to realize the blessing I have had in my teachers and my school too. I love my school. It is so different than any school anywhere. Quality education. Inspiring teachers. Freedom to be yourself. I love that you never know what to expect when you arrive at CAIA. Sometimes there will be kids outside throwing the football or maybe having a deep discussion about the Lord or an important issue. Always, though, there are multiple kids making music. Talented kids. These kids know how to use their gifts to bless others... It might just be sitting in a circle outside the coffee shop or it may be performing onstage in our theatre in a show where a couple of hundred people just enjoy themselves and the talents other people have to share. Wherever it is, they bless people. They bless me. Teachers who I no longer take classes from but frequently stop to talk to me and catch up with my life bless me. One of my favorite teachers, Mrs. Bare, inspired my love for science. She plays a part in why I have decided to pursue an education in the medical field. She instilled a love for learning and science in me. She made it interesting. And she still stops to talk or hear what is going on. Mrs. Minter is the same way. I love it. The friends who love you for who you are and will gladly pray for you, be silly with you, or just be whatever you need in the moment bless me. I love that place. I am glad I have younger siblings who have some years left before graduation so I have a reason to go back and visit. Not that I need one other than the fact that I will just want to :)

The quality education I received from the teachers at my school has amazed me. I am beyond grateful and anytime I start to feel frustrated with school I remind myself of a verse that forever changed my perspective of school.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man."

Colossians 3:23

It makes it worth it because it is for Him.