It's starting to become public knowledge that I'm no longer pursuing a Journalism degree. Every time someone new learns about this "exciting twist" they ask, "what'd you switch too?" And then I have to say it. Undeclared. Oh, I'm learning just how much American culture hates that word. Uh oh, their shifting gaze is going to melt me if I don't come up with some explanation for my outrageous actions, I better justify my choice. I'm taking a semester to figure things out. I just don't know what I want to do. I'm not sure what I can afford for my education right now. Then the brave souls offer the obvious question and answer. "Miss, it's simple. What are you passionate about? Figure that out and just do it." No offense to you if you've been one to pose this "simple" yet remarkable solution, but really? That's the best you've got? Have I gotten to be 19 without considering what I'm passionate about? Have I really not been told a thousand times to just "do what I love?" I'm a Christian. I know what I'm passionate about and I know what I love. Please answer this question: what about when I don't feel passionate at all? What about when I wake up in the morning and pray to God, YHWH, creator of the universe, my sweet, awesome, loving, merciful, just, powerful, heavenly Father and I have to beg him that I would have the energy to even seek him that day? If you know me, you know that I love mornings. I love filling them with prayer and coffee and scripture and I love starting my day with what I know I was created for. Let me be painfully honest and maybe you can relate: some days I would rather just sleep in. After all, what can I change about this world or about this life?
Here is why my attitude must change: The wife of noble character who can find? ....
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
Proverbs 31 woman is the absolute antonym of the apathy that I find myself caught up in. So, where is the passion to change my outlook? How am I to be inspired by my savior once again? I think that the answer is in the same chapter. Verse 30 says "a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." It's time that I started fearing the LORD. It is time that I started looking for his power and seeking his heart instead of just demanding that he show me how he is working.
A few days ago I was back up at Timber Wolf Lake for a leaders weekend. The speaker there said this: "There are three things to know about our God. He is a God of power. He is a God of presence. He is a God of passion." It's time that I begin to know my God. His grace, and dare I say his passion, is sufficient for me. When I can't feel him, I can still know him. He is a God of power. He is a God of presence. He is a God of passion. Now that I'm learning what to know, what must I do? How about this:
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
I don't know if you or Daniel Powter noticed this, but those are verbs. Act. Love. Walk. It's not simple and it's not easy, but it is good. And what's more, it is what He requires of me. If each day is a day that the LORD has made, each day is good. It's time to stop singing sad songs - the LORD has triumphed over death. You had a good day. You had a good day. Had a good day. Had a good day. Had a good day.
