New Year Post 2015

Its time for a new year! And as I reflected today, its been kind of crazy... 2014 has been a pretty good year! 

This previous year, in January, a GREAT thing happened! I was living my faith FOR Jesus up to this point, and wasn't happy or joyful. Just content. And sometimes I think complacency leaves us content, which is a tool of the enemy. Because if we are content with where we are in our faith, we won't continue to seek out Jesus and love Him more! We get stuck. So here I was, stuck without knowing it. And though I can't really describe it, I woke up one morning, and had I thought - I just knew - that God wanted me to stop living for Him and start living WITH Him! So I was like, "Alright Jesus, lets do it!" And since that day, over the course of just one year, I have had many experiences.

I've loved like no other. A German exchange student that stayed at a close friend's house and I grew as close friends. She was an athiest and I was new to my walk with Jesus and all the things He was showing me, so I tried to explain it all to her and ended up shoving the gospel down her throat. However, its like through her God showed me how He loves this world. I didn't desire a relationship with her, but I was desperate to see her saved and come to know Jesus. Not a day went by when I didn't pray for her, speak to her, try to look like Jesus to her. And now I realize that in the same way I lived towards her, I need to live towards EVERYONE. Because God loves everyone the same way He showed me He loved her!

I've seen miraculous healing. Three of my friends who have had Chronic Lyme for most of their lives found healing in Jesus! Once confined to a wheelchair, they now walk the halls of my school. Once confined to a bed, tired beyond belief, they now are an integral part of the youth group!! Its pretty amazing to see! And on the flipside, I've seen death. My Nana died this year, in the summer. And though I loved her so much, I never once mourned for her. Maybe its because I don't feel much emotion, but I doubt thats the case, cause I feel just fine at other times! To be honest, I had this crazy sense of peace... she knew Jesus and loved Him more than I ever thought someone could, and so she is with Jesus celebrating freedom with Him! And soon, I'll be with her too! Why fear death? That sounds heartless, and it could be. Thats just what my heart feels.

I've seen the impact of words. Since that day in January, God has started in me a ministry of encouragement. Of course, I have the Google+ page! Its been so so cool to see my developement as a writer as well as how God has grown and outreached to people through my posts! Its all for His glory; I could have never seen this coming. Few people that have followed me I actually know... perhaps like 30 or so. The rest is just people Jesus has ordained to read my posts, and to encourage ME. Yall are such a blessing! In addition, I have a ministry of encouraging my friends one on one. I've talked people through cutting, depression, divorce, death, whatever it may be. I heard a story of a woman who was super depressed after her husband's death, and the only thing that kept her living was a random kid that she saw on her way to work. Everyday, faithfully, he waved at her. And that kept her going. My neighbor later told me that kid was me. Thats all Jesus. Who knew a simple wave could speak more than words?!

This year I've also adopted my own catchphrase, and I say it all the time now. Its come to define how I want to be seen by others. Perhaps you've seen me hashtag it! #LiveItLikeJesus. Its a simple way of explaining what Jesus calls us to! I've seen much joy and pain, many good and bad times, throughout this year. And I have realized that the best way to persevere, to fulfill my calling, is to live it like Jesus. To emulate Him in every facet is a high calling, and one we are not worthy of... but if we are to be His humble servant, we must commit ourselves to the image of the One who FIRST served us! As we begin this New Year, lets look to Jesus as our resolution... and live it like Him!