The Shadow Proves the Sunshine

Woah. I am not a good blogger :) When was the last time I did this thing? September? Sheesh... Just thought I should update this thing since next week I'll be done with my second-to-last semester of college... (My goodness.)

I feel like a lot has happened since the last time I updated. Last time, I was just moving into my dorm room, I was completely overwhelmed by all the change that was taking place, and I needed the Lord to just show me that it was all going to be okay.

Well, He's definitely done that... this year has definitely proved to be totally different than the rest. At times it's felt really uncomfortable, and I've been forced out of my comfort zone often more times than not. I've been pushed into situations in which I feel completely weak, but in those situations, He has been proven strong (after all, this is the point, right?) He's shown me that His grace is sufficient in my weakness, because His power is made perfect this way... (2 Cor. 12:9) This semester has also been a blessing, as I have met so many new people, and have been able to pour into them and share life with them and form new relationships. I love it here, and I feel so blessed to be a part of something so great in West Circle...

Right now I'm listening to the song "The Shadow Proves the Sunshine" by Switchfoot, (everyone needs to get their new album by the way... in case you were wondering!!!!) and it's awesome, because I feel like it's a direct representation of what the Lord has constantly shown me in my life. I feel like in the valley, and in the midst of any type of trial, it's when He's done the most work in my life - I've just needed to be patient and have faith... its what this whole thing is all about. I've just needed to be reminded that life isn't all over when I'm in that spot that doesn't feel good... that I can't just "cop out" when I feel like giving up, because God is constantly making me into the second man - into the likeness of His Son. It's all a process, and I just need to be patient.

This week at bible study, we were looking at a passage in Acts - specifically chapter 13, where Paul and Barnabas basically go all over the place, because they are sent by the Lord to share the Good News of Jesus. Throughout this passage, there are several whose eyes are opened, and several that come to know Christ as their personal Savior.

In verses 38 and 39, Paul says this:

"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses."

We talked about justified meaning, "just as you have never sinned."

It's funny, because as I was leading a discussion this last week in life group, I felt like I learned more from the girls who came. (And, I feel like this semester, I've been learning more and more from them as the weeks have gone on...) I felt like they really understood the message Paul was portraying here in Acts... that God has looked at us completely spotless, and He has forgotten our sins (Hebrews 10:13-17). Once again, I'm reminded of how amazing Grace really is!!

I feel like I was really convicted because recently I had literally written in my journal of all of the ways that I had been failing - in friendships, in school, in carrying out the Gospel, in temptation to sin, in relationships, in ministry, in giving Him my future, etc.... and I was just sitting in it! But doing this was a sin in itself! I am justified by Christ and made clean, and I don't have to feel bad and have a pity party for myself when I screw up... His love is enough for me.

I need to remember this, and I need to trust Him and BELIEVE Him when He tells me that I am justified, and guilt-free.

Because of His Son, I'm free, and I no longer am bound by the chains of my trespasses. Praise God for this amazing gift!!

Father, I pray that you would help me to remember your truth all of the time, so that I might walk in your freedom always, with Your love radiant upon me. Thank you for this amazing gift, and thank you for constantly lifting me out of the valley, and holding on to me, even if I am on the verge of copping out. I'm so grateful for your faithfulness when I have so little faith. Your grace is pretty amazing.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galations 5:1)