I have to believe

As a disclaimer, I have to clarify that this post may go a bit off topic, and it may switch direction a time or two; But, at the heart of the message I'm talking about Jesus, so maybe it really isn't going off topic after all.
Let me first present a simple idea: "You can't schedule God."
I mean this in more than one way. In the first sense, we don't fit God into our schedules. We don't block off a portion of our day and decide this is when God is going to speak, and this is the only time we are willing to listen. Let me suggest the fact that instead, God is with us in every aspect of our lives, whether that means at the grocery store, work, school or during our "designated" God time. If God begins to move, nothing you do is going to manipulate that. We can't fit Him into a tiny block of time and we most certainly can't decide when we will allow Him to show up.
Which brings me to my second point: We don't have authority over God. Too often when we try to schedule God, we're also trying to display control over him, as if somehow we actually believe that we have the authority to tell him where he can and can't show up in our lives. God was with us earlier today, he is with you as you're reading this very sentence, and I guarantee you he will still be with you once you log off of this post. He is with you whether you believe he is or not; He doesn't appear at your discretion only, and his presence isn't only valid if you take notice of it.
There's a song lyric I heard earlier today that says "We welcome you with praise," and as beautiful as it is, part of me chuckles inside every time I hear it, because why do I need to welcome someone in if they've never left my side? How do you welcome someone who has always been right next to you? How can I welcome God into my life, if he was never absent from it to begin with?
God is always with us. He always has been, he is now, and he always will be, and there is absolutely nothing I can do to change that because even my deepest darkest sins can't steal away the grace he has given me.
God is good. (All the time. All the time... God is good!) No, but really, God IS good. And the best part is that his goodness doesn't depend on my goodness, because if it did, I'd never be able to match that. Whether life is good, or it isn't treating you so well: No matter how good or bad your current situation is, God remains constant. God remains good and what better of a foundation could there be to build your life off of than one that cannot crack, one that cannot shatter beneath you, and one that does not waiver. Setting your foundation in something that cannot be shaken by this world, is the very thing you need if you also desire to stand strong.
God is good, and he is always with you. And whether you're listening or not, he is calling out your name, waiting for you to respond. I have to believe that every time you respond, whether it is for your hundredth time during the day or your first time throughout life, all of heaven erupts in praise. God loves his children and eagerly awaits their return to him, and no matter how many times you rebuild your foundation, no matter how many times you turn away from God only to wind up seeking him again, no matter how many times you crack under pressure, God rejoices the same each time you come back to him. Just like in the parable of the Prodigal Son, the father runs with open arms at the sight of his beloved child's return. Not a single thing the child did was enough to hold back the love his father had for him. I pray that wherever you are in life at the moment: whether you're in a season of change, a season of searching, a season of depression or even joy- Place your life in the hands of the one who remains steadfast. God is good, God loves you, and nothing can ever separate you from Him, even if you don't realize it quite yet.

Too much of a good thing

My entire preteen season of life- what is that anyway, like 2 years?- I can remember being obsessed with this book series called The Clique. I owned (and still probably own) every book in the series, not to mention the official movie. I couldn't get enough of it, and in so many ways I idolized the characters and their personalities- everyone loved them, everyone adored them. They seemed flawless, and just all-around amazing. But what strikes me as a little funny is how different cliques are in real life. Strip away the glamour in the books and movies- and you get a better image of cliques and how surprisingly horrible they can be. We were made for community and friendship, but cliques turn that into too much of a good thing.

When I was in middle school, I went to Millennium for performing arts. Conveniently, it was located 30 minutes from home- so far that absolutely nobody from my school also attended my youth group. I didn't know many people at my youth group and every time I tried attending, people from all of the local schools already had their friends and their own cliques. They never intentionally excluded me, but I definitely knew I wasn't exactly welcomed in either. For a huge chunk of my youth, I refused to attend youth group for the sole reason of people in cliques. And I would have never come back if it weren't for a few people going out of their way to make me feel welcomed again. The place I once refused to step foot in turned into the place I invest almost all of my time. But I may have never found God's calling in my life if it weren't for people willing to reach out beyond their cliques.

What people don't realize is that cliques don't only affect the people you share them with, but they affect the very people you're overlooking in the process. When we become too consumed with our tiny little communities, we forget that there are other people left out of that community. And a lot of the time, along with other people standing on the outskirts stands Jesus too. When you put all of your focus on your community, you forget other people matter and you forget God who matters most of all. It sounds a little harsh when you think about the fact that it's usually unintentional, but isn't that the exact problem? The problem is exactly that. When the clique doesn't even realize they're overlooking people. The problem is when you're too consumed with yourself that you don't even realize other people around you exist. People walk past you each and every day- and God has a special calling for each of them. Do you really want to be the one thing keeping them from finding it? Do you want to be the group that holds someone back from fully experiencing the love God has for them?

Don't let your community replace your God. Don't overlook people in pursuit of your own satisfaction. Other people matter to God and they should matter just as much to you.

Be bold in your questions

With a God so much greater than our understanding, it's only natural we'd have questions for Him. In fact, it'd probably be more unrealistic if we didn't have questions at all. But a lot of times, we easily confuse doubt with curiosity and understanding.
We're told to have faith, that we won't know things, and to be okay with that, but at the same time questioning is a natural part of being human. Luckily for us, we have a God who welcomes our questions. Many times throughout the Bible, we see the great prophets and key followers of Christ openly questioning Him. They provide us with the foundation that we have a God who is open to our curiosity. But they also show us that sometimes God leaves our questions unanswered, or saved for a better time. Just because we can question, it doesn't mean God is forced us to provide us with answers. More often than not, it's the assurance that God is with us and for us.
God welcomes our questions because its all a part of growing in relationship together. Wouldn't it be awkward if you had a best friend that you knew absolutely nothing about? Not even awkward, more like impossible I'd say. If you're interested in growing your relationship with someone, its only natural to ask questions every once in a while to learn more about them, to know them better. Why should that be any different with God? If we strive for a close relationship with God, we shouldn't be afraid to question things for the sake of growing together. A healthy relationship with God encourages conversation and provides a safe space to ask even life's toughest questions.
As I mentioned earlier, there's a difference between curiosity and doubt. Personally, I see the difference as lying directly within intentions. When you come to God eager to understand, eager to learn and experience Him fuller, those questions are welcomed. When you question God hoping to prove Him wrong, looking for faults in His answers- you've then reached the point of bad intentions. Its okay to question, but there is a thin line between testing God and pursuing Him. Walk the line carefully, but never be afraid to be bold in your questioning.

Loosen your Grip

For someone like me- a perfectionist with big dreams and a set plan- it's certainly not fun when your plans get tossed around a bit. Confusion isn't enjoyable for me, likewise most people I'd assume. Not knowing your next move when you're someone who likes things planned five steps ahead- not enjoyable either. Being in this crazy stage of life where I have basically no idea what I'm doing with myself and everyone places it upon you to have life figured out... its safe to say I'm not a happy camper about it. And quite honestly, if you asked any of my friends or family, they'd vouch for me that the slightest hint at the subject causes me to go off on a rant. Why? Not because I'm mad. Ok, maybe a little frustrated- who wouldn't be? But the reason it gets me so worked up is because its something that worries me. And to be blunt about it, in other words its because I've taken my future out of God's hands and tried to control it myself.
How insulting is it really for me to tell God he can't handle it all on His own? The same God who created the Heavens and Earth, who can part the sea, and who can raise the dead- why is it that I believe He can handle all of that, but help me figure out what school to go to or what career to try... woah woah let's not get too crazy! I mean seriously, why on earth do I think I have better hands to hold my future than the One who created and perfected it? As much as I like to have control over things, I have to admit God is in a much better position to handle this than I am. I need to step back and as C.S. Lewis would say "give in and admit that God is God."
What I've found personally is that its easy to tell other people- even yourself- to just have faith. That God will make everything work out in the end. Trust in God. BUT WHAT ABOUT ME? What about my part? Sure God doesn't need my help to complete his plan, but what if I'm supposed to have a part in making this all happen? I can't expect God to just hand me anything, right? Its extremely easy to let the words faith and trust flow right out of your mouth but its a completely different thing to follow those truths during your own struggles. I heard it said recently that trusting God with your worries doesn't call for lack of action. It doesn't call for laziness and a sense of entitlement from God, rather the ability to know when you've done your part and the rest is up to God. Basically, put the power back into God's hands. If you put faith in only yourself, you might as well just prepare yourself for a let down. Stop trying to be God. Allow Him do His job for once, and let Him show you how great He is at it. No matter how much control we think we may have over ourselves and our situations, God has far better things in store for us beyond our wildest imagination. But we'll never see them come to life if we don't give God the chance to act.
No matter how hard we try, if its not in God's plans for us, it won't prevail. And no matter what I do, God is going to lead me exactly where I'm meant to be. But its hard to see that when the future is blurry and nothing is as clear as it used to be when life was completely in your control. Trusting your life to God calls for you to loosen your grip, but how assuring is it to know that your life is in the hands of the Creator?

Set apart because of the God I live for

Earlier this week at camp, we were introducing ourselves and after saying my name, I had the wonderful opportunity to share "a weird talent about myself." By wonderful, I mean not at all. Talk about a moment of panic when everyone else gets to share their favorite ice cream flavor or movie, and you get stuck with this?! If you're anything like me, the moment you hear that, your brain starts scramming to find something- anything really- that sets you apart. Can I do something unusual? I can't move my joints into weird positions. I can't paint works of art. I can't go unicycling down mountains (yes, believe it or not, that is a real thing). Is there anything I can do extremely well? I love sports, but I'm no professional athlete. I love to sing, but my ideal stage is the shower. I love working with animals, but then again who can't resist the big brown eyes of a puppy? Every physical talent I possess... When it comes down to it, doesn't seem so "weird." It doesn't seem to set me apart.
The more I began to wonder how I'm set apart- what's special about me- the more I began realizing I'm not set apart by one single talent, one single action, one single idea or thought. All of the things I'm passionate about, all of the things I enjoy and work at, the things I'm successful at or even fail miserably at- combined, they're all pieces of who I am as a person. Not only the things I'm great at but even the things I struggle with are a part of who I am. I'm not set apart because of a single talent I have. I'm set apart because every aspect of who I am is working to align with every aspect of who Christ is. I'm set apart from this world because I choose not to follow it, but instead choose to follow the footsteps of my Creator.
Showing relentless love to people the world deems as undeserving- that sets you apart. Forgiving people when they've broken you- that sets you apart. Being kind to the stranger next to you in the checkout line- that sets you apart. Its weird. Its unusual. But it shouldn't be, because if everyone lived the way God had first imagined, there wouldn't be any other way to live. That sets you apart because you aren't listening to what the world tells you is acceptable. You're following how you know Christ tells you to live. You are set apart because when you succeed, you point the glory straight to God. When you fail, you trust God to turn your mistakes into a testimony used- you guessed it- to glorify Him. Your life as a whole sets you apart because your life is centered not around yourself, but around the only one who is worthy.
What's my point? Don't let your success- or more importantly your failure- define you. You are special. You are unique. Not because of anything you've done to become so, but because of the God you live for.

Live Original

     "See that girl with the flat tummy and Kylie Jenner lips over there? Wow, GOALS!" Our generation throws around the word goals way too much. Stomach goals. Relationship goals. Hair goals. Goals goals goals. We've basically redefined the word from quality dreams we hope to achieve to shallow desires based off of others we see. How did our goals switch from holding a good job and living a happy life to having smaller thighs and bigger lips? Why should that even be goals in the first place?

     Goals in life are great to have. They keep you working towards success and help you progress. But I have to think that past a certain point, goals can do more harm than good. And that point is exactly when your goals become "hair goals" and "#relationshipgoals." The problem with these goals is that you are comparing yourself to someone. Someone smarter. Prettier. Stronger. You see these traits in someone else that you yourself lack. Comparison is such a confidence killer because you're right, there always will be someone smarter, prettier, and stronger. You will never reach the ideas of perfection in your head if those ideas are based off of other people. Setting goals based off of others is just setting yourself up for disappointment, because you'll never be that person. No matter how hard you try, you can't be someone else. Kylie Jenner has big lips. Can you imagine if EVERYONE walked around like that? Weird, right? Don't try to shoot for someone else's standards of perfection because you were made to be YOU. If God wanted there to be a billion Beyonce's, he would have made that many. But he didn't. He made you to be you.

     We all have insecurities. The blonde hair you like so much on so-and-so may be the very thing she's insecure about. If you chase this idea of perfection based off of others, you'll never be content. One thing will lead you to the next, because while trying so hard to be another person, you aren't staying true to yourself. You can never be content trying to be someone else if God made you to be you. You are special and you are set apart. YOU. That's right, you. Insecurities and all. You are made special by a perfect God who cherishes all of you, even your imperfections.

     Be the best you you can be. Live original. You have something unique that sets you apart from everyone else, but you'll never find it if you're too busy being somebody else. Embrace your flaws. Don't be afraid to be yourself. Stop undervaluing who you are and overvaluing who you're not. You are beautiful because God made you.

     You were born an original. Don't die a copy!

A community based around Christ also includes Him

(c) Sarah Gibson 2015

     It's so funny to me the places we're willing to be transparent. Personally, it confuses me. So often the places expected to be difficult to be transparent, end up being the places I'm most honest and straightforward about myself with others. And so often, the places like my church or small groups- places that encourage transparency- end up being the very places I'm least transparent.

     But the more I think about it, as terrifying as it can be to put yourself in a place of vulnerability, its also completely necessary if we aim at growing even the slightest bit. Think about plants. If you built a wall separating a plant from sunlight it so desperately needs for growth, the chances of that plant blossoming to its full potential are slim to none. Sure, the plant may grow a few inches here and there, but no where near the rate it could grow if it had transparency allowing the light in. If we keep building walls blocking ourselves from the community around us, we'll never blossom to our full potential either. Transparency between our peers and ourselves is vital to our wellbeing and the continuation of figuring out the amazing relationship we have with Christ. 

     Something I've been really holding onto this season of my life is the importance of community. We hear it all the time, that loving conviction is one of the greatest things a community can offer us because it's also extremely rare. We desire a community willing to point out the flaws we can't recognize in ourselves- a community willing to dish out honest but stick around to help us work out the kinks in our lives. But as hopeful as we are to have a community willing to do so, how many times do we get angry at God when he's convicting of us? A lot of times we forget that our communities based around Christ also include Christ. If our community holds christ in the center... He is very much included in it. And just like we desire peers who are convicting of us, we should welcome our God to be as well. 

     The first step to change is recognizing something needs to be changed in the first place. If we aren't transparent enough to acknowledge our faults and the places we go wrong, how can we ever expect people to offer valuable help- or God for that matter. Transparency is vital if we want to continue strengthening our faith. It will always be a work in progress. I'll be first to admit I struggle with it all of the time. But I acknowledge that it's an area I have trouble with, and I know God is working in me constantly changing my heart.

     Our communities revolving around Christ most certainly include Him, and being transparent in those communities is completely necessary if we want to grow from our experiences.

Makeup isn't beauty: You're fearfully and wonderfully made

I'll be the first to admit makeup is pretty awesome. Have you seen that crazy contouring people do or all that intricate eye shadow? How neat, right?! Yes, makeup is super fun and it's great when we want to look extra put together- but we have to make sure our mind is in the right place when we use it. Are we wearing makeup for the fun of it, or because we don't see ourselves as beautiful without it? Are we using makeup as a mask, our source of confidence? Is makeup limiting the beauty we actually possess? In 1 Peter 3:3-4, we are told not to be concerned with our outward beauty, but to clothe ourselves with unfading beauty from within. In Proverbs 31 we learn that we're clothed with strength and dignity. In God's image we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Our true beauty doesn't come from the world. Our beauty stems alone from Christ shown through us. God made you beautiful and perfect AS YOU ARE. And I guarantee you, if you're good enough for the king of kings and the Lord of Lords, you're definitely good enough for anyone else. You are not beautiful because of your makeup or fancy hair and designer clothes. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Do not let makeup limit your true beauty. Don't be defined by mascara and blush. You are worth greater. Your beauty is more than skin deep. Makeup is great, who doesn't like to dress up or be creative? There's nothing wrong with it one bit, so long as you make sure your perception of yourself isn't determined by it. Don't define your beauty by your makeup.

You only have 15 followers? Jesus had 12.

The Bible tells us faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, but when we look at our lives and our ability to make an impact we see a truth far different. We all want to save the world. We all want to leave a lasting impact and make a difference. Honestly, I don't think many people would deny that to be true if they were given the opportunity. However for most of us, making a difference is left as hopeful thinking, simply a thought left without any action. Why? Because our mission trip for just a week costs $4000. Because our inspiring tweets would only be seen by 15 followers. Because in the realm of things, we don't see how our actions could make any lasting impact at all.

In reality, maybe we've just been flipping this whole "change" thing backwards. Change never starts large scale. Change occurs over time because of multiple smaller changes. If you want to impact an entire nation, you have to start village by village. You only have 15 followers on social media? Jesus had 12. If change across the globe can all stem from Jesus and his 12, imagine the potential you have when He is working with you! You only need to reach one person, and one by one people are influenced by change. Instead of playing the blame game, let's realize that this generation so desperately in need of change is the same generation we are included in. We are not a lost cause, and we are not hopeless. We just need more people to step beyond their comfort of conformity and be an example to their communities. No single human will change the way our entire generation thinks, but every one of us together can reach out to the people near us.

Never go into the world expecting to save all of it. Stay realistic. Make a difference for the people you can. Take advantage of the opportunities where you are now. Whether you point one person towards God or 100,000 people, God rejoices the same. Change no matter how big or how small glorifies Him.

Be fearless in pursuit of The Lord

Imagination. The word for many stops at childhood, pertaining to imaginary friends and youthful creative ignorance. But how many times do our imaginations play a lead role in our lives as adults? From the childlike view of imagination stems a mature version, hardly as innocent. For most of us, imagination now takes the form of a worst case scenario, and it has shaped who we are and the decisions we've made up to this point in our life. Think about times in life where your imagination has steered you wrong. Maybe you failed an exam, and your imagination told you it'll be impossible to get into college now. Maybe you're going on the first date with a girl you really like, how many scenarios are running through your head of stuttering or spilling your food? Is anything good coming from your imagination at these points? The depths of our imagination are unfathomable. One mistake and your immediate response is that the worst can and will happen next. Why so much negativity though, when we have nothing to worry about? Our imaginations are powerful. If we used them in their wholeness to imagine the best case scenarios, or even to realize that one mistake won't contribute to our ruin, can you imagine how much stress, anxiety, and brokenness we would eliminate from our lives? Exodus 15:3 tells us that The Lord is a warrior. Countless times our Bible reminds us to not be afraid, because God is with us and He fights for us. We shouldn't waste our imaginations dreaming of situations that will never come to be, because our God can do the impossible and because he is always faithful in His promises. He protects and shelters, he comforts and rescues, and no weapons formed against you will prosper because you are in the hands of the Lord of all lords. If we trust our faith to God, and we believe Him to be all powerful, why is there any reason to imagine the worst? Spend your time imagining the goodness that can come from situations. Be fearless in pursuit of the Lord and take chances in growing His kingdom. Work wholeheartedly for His name and he'll lift you up in honor.