Turn Your Eyes

Hey guys! Its been a while, but trust me, I have not just been lazing around ignoring my deeper thought. No, I have just been extremely busy with moving halfway around the world. But this experience has afforded me with a few thoughts.

Months ago, when I first started trying to plan my move, I was stressed. This was my thought process. I would like to point out some key words. Those would be: I, plan, my, and stressed. Ha! Really, this is what I thought. And unfortunately, this is what a lot of people think like.

Let me explain. I lived in Romania last year for about 2 1/2 months. I LOVED IT! And while I was here, God hooked my heart on the high school/collage age youth. My plans went out the window. I dropped out of school when I moved back to the States and started working for Starbucks to save up money in order to move back. I felt very strongly called to Romania and I was and still am certain that that is where God has called me for the time being (whether that be an extremely long time or a relatively short time).

So I was moving. I was working. I was planning. I was trying to prepare myself. I, I, I... Me, me, me... and I was stressed, stressed, stressed. Though I didn't show it, or maybe I did, I was exhausted from worry and stress and unknowns. Then God convicted me. I don't remember how, but I know He did. I realized that my focus should not be on the planning. It shouldn't be on providing for myself. It shouldn't be on the money. It should be on Jesus. I should be focusing on and following God as closely as I can, so that He can lead me and take me where I need to go.

We as humans try to control to much of our life. And where does that get us? Anger, depression, work-aholicism (if thats even a word), stress, exhaustion, business. If we have all of those things going on in our life, how much time can we possibly be spending on our relationships with Christ? How can He be completely in control of our lives and us be completely out of control? It isn't possible. Obviously, he isn't at the wheel. We are.

God promises us a life of freedom. A life of joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Do any of those sound like a depressed, stressed, tired, workaholic. Please, say no. If you say yes, then we have other issues here.

My point is, we should primarily be focusing on Jesus and He will make the plans for us. He will take us where we need to go. It may not be the plan we would have made for ourselves, but it will be the best thing that ever happened to us. There is a saying. "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." Well, I told him mine, and he laughed hard. However, just because he laughed doesn't mean I wasn't doing the right thing. I was just plugged in to the wrong outlet. I had my eye on the wrong goal. Keep your eyes on Christ and he will work together for the good of those who love him, and are called according to his purpose.

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

• Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
  Look full in His wonderful face,
  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
  In the light of His glory and grace.

St. Patrick

So today is St. Patrick's Day. The day where people wear green and pinch those that don't. The day where Irish heritage is celebrated and shamrocks are everywhere. It is also a day that the namesake and history of is often forgotten.

Brief History: Patrick was a kidnapped from Britain when he was 16 (which was around the 5th century) and sold into slavery in Ireland. After 6 years he escaped and made his way back to his family. Once back in Britain, he joined the clergy and then decided that God was calling him to take the gospel back to Ireland. So he set out and began his missionary work in Ireland. By the 7th century, St. Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland.

The history of this day makes me wonder about our willingness to listen to the calling of God. Are we willing to follow God and his plan for our life even when it makes us uncomfortable? SurelyPatrick was not planning on returning to Ireland when he escaped slavery, but when God called he listened and obeyed. Manyof us listen to God's voice, but few of us actually obey. There is a difference. We have all been wounded by people, whether it be emotionally, physically, verbally, etc. We have all been hurt. But sometimes it is the people that are the hardest to love that need it the most. And sometimes it is the hardest to talk to that need to hear the good news the worst.

God does not intend for you to live a comfortable life. He told us to "take up our cross daily and follow him." The cross is not comfortable. God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone. He could be calling you half-way across the world, or He could be calling you across the street, but he is calling you. Will you merely listen and stay put? Or will you listen and obey?

Patrick listend and obeyed. Look how God used him. So... what will you do?