I came to a decision today, that this blog would be a good place for me to chronicle my spiritual journey and be able to share it with those closest to me. So that they might gain insight into the inner workings of my mind, and so that I can gain insight and knowledge from them.
Returning to Asbury has opened a new chapter in my life, and I intend to run the race with perseverance. Hebrews 12:1 has been a favorite of mine for some time now, but I stumbled across it again as I was searching for a new name for my blog. Upon reading the entire verse again, I cannot deny that it spoke to me, and seemed to fit perfectly with my goal for this blog, as I endeavor to grow in my faith and walk closer to God.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses - Asbury, my family, my friends
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles - I have made so many bad choices in my life; it is time to throw them aside, and set my sights on the horizon
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. - ready, set, GO!
So I want to start off by sharing with you a summary of a letter every student, staff, and faculty member on campus received from our President, Sandra Gray.
In the letter, she tells of Asbury's current enrollment of 1,500 students, an all time high. "This suggests an expanding potential to influence the world for Christ as we prepare for His calling upon our lives." In an effort to emphasize the unity of our community in Christ, and to strengthen that community, she has given everyone on campus a copy of the book My Utmost For His Highest, to serve as a campus wide devotional. It is not a requirement, merely a suggestion, but if you ask me, it's pretty stinkin cool! What better way to bring us together than to give us the opportunity to share in a devotional with the entire campus.
My goal will be to add a blog everyday touching on the devotional of the day, and any insights I might have gleaned, or just random thoughts.
So I will finish up this blog, but adding my comments for the day on today's devotion.
Today's topic was "The Dilemma of Obedience". It is about learning to listen to God. "God never speaks to us in dramatic ways, but in ways that are easy to misunderstand." "As we listen, our ears become more sensitive, and like Jesus, we will hear God all the time."
My ears were once sensitive to the voice of God. But for far too long I have ignored Him, until His voice became an muffled hum in the back of my head. Ever since then I have struggled with the practice of listening to God. Because my ears were once so attuned, I was used to hearing His input instantly, but now it is harder to hear Him, and I grow impatient when I do not receive the instant answer I was so accustom to having. So mine becomes now a lesson not just in listening, but in patience. Which tend to go hand in hand, but are no less difficult. Mom always says I am very stubborn, and so now I will begin to put that stubbornness to good use.
I resolve to practice patience this week. And I resolve to give God my time, so that I may be still, and listen once again to the still small voice calling me to Him.
Father, I thank you for this beautiful day! I thank you for blessing us with a beautiful snow that has highlighted the wonders of your creation. I thank you that I have remained upright as I trek across the slick walkways. And I thank you for giving me this chance, to return to Asbury, to finish what I started, and to grow closer to you.
I ask you to walk with me this week, keep me upright in body and spirit. Help me to be still and know that you are God. Help me to be patient and to once again come to know the sound of Your voice as well as I know my own. Amen.
