Making a Difference

Time to make a check on my bucket list – 5K Race.

The most awesome part about it is that it wasn't just a race for me. It was a race for missions! I'm so blessed to go to a school that loves and serves God and chooses to make a difference. This was exactly our theme for the run. Jude 22 says, “And of some having compassion making a difference.” My school presented this run as a support for two different missionaries in Uganda and the Philippines. They are both working with orphanages. All of the money received from this race is going to them. Soon, they can feed even more children and share the love of Jesus Christ with these precious little ones.

While I was running, I kept pushing myself. If these missionaries can leave everything behind and go serve God, I can run to support them. It's the least I could do! It seems so small in the scheme of eternity to just go run 3.1 miles, but if this can impact just one person's eternity, it's completely worth it. It's time to get out there and make a difference!   

"I've Got It"

Overwhelming.

This is the one word I would choose to describe the last month of school before summer. I'm a junior on college studying elementary education. So for me, that means philosophy papers, book critiques, and peer teachings. I always heard students say that junior year is the hardest, but being a sophomore nursing major before, I didn't believe that for one second...until I got back from a relaxing weekend at home.

I sat down, looked at my schedule and realized I had no idea how I was going to get everything done. So what did I do? I began to make lists. I developed a plan. I checked my calendar, and I got a little grumpy. What I didn't realize was that I was forgetting the most important thing - God.

Psalm 61:1-2 says, "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

God wants us to cry out to Him whether it's for something as small as school stress or something as major as financial or physical stress. He is there to help us, and He helped me more than I even thought of.

Finally, I sat down to read my Bible onMonday morning..after my panic attack on Sunday night. And I prayed,and I asked God to help me to be diligent and to get my work done. I got up and went back to work. I went to classes and work. In chapel,our president of the college announced that he was giving us a day off of classes!

And God told me, “See, I've got it under control.”

Now, even though that day has come and gone, and much was accomplished, I still have a lot more to do. But I know God will help me through. Sometimes, He shows us He is there in big obvious ways, but many times God says, “I've got it. Trust me,”in the little things.

The Cry of America

In the face of a tragedy, I pray that this will be America's cry.

"Lord, I need you when the sea of life is calm.
Oh, Lord, I need you when the wind is blowing strong.
Whether trials come or cease, keep me always on my knees.
Lord, I need you. Lord, I need you."

Christians, be in prayer for our country! America needs God now more than ever.

The Evil "M"

Modesty. There, I said it.

Most, likely the first thing you think of when you hear the word modesty is clothing. Immediately, people want to stop reading because we've heard it all before. Appropriate clothing is something that is drilled into many Christian homes. But modesty is so much more than the outward appearance. (Hint: It doesn't only apply to girls either.)

Three ladies of my student body at college recently spoke on this topic of modesty. It was such a good perspective that I thought I would share it for you.

First of all, modesty means humility. It is not drawing attention to yourself, but giving God the glory. And it's not just dress. It can be talents, position, or attitude. Showing humility through modesty is characterized by self-control. It is giving God the glory due His name.

Second, modesty means purity, not just physical but also spiritual. It is purity in thought, action, and motive. It is being holy, blameless, not causing others to fall. It includes your speech, dress, and lifestyle. Living in purity means examining the small every day actions that are seemingly insignificant. It is being blameless.

Lastly, modesty means appropriateness in clothing, actions, and relationships. You would not wear the same thing to climb a rock wall as you would to a church service. You would not act at a ball game as you would at a funeral. In relationships, you have a role as either a lady or a gentleman; the roles should not be switched. (It's part of God's perfect plan.) It all boils down to this: discretion. Proverbs 11:22 says, “As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.” It just doesn't fit! Ask yourself if it fits or if it is out of place.

So all that to say, modesty is so much more than appearance; it's a lifestyle! How's your spiritual wardrobe? Is it one that draws attention to self or gives glory to God? Is it characterized by purity and self-control? Is it appropriate? Are you living a modest life?

The Big Question

As I sat down to prepare for Bible study, Ruth was next on my agenda. Usually, I only spend one week on each woman. But Ruth has a whole book written about her! Okay, I'll break it into two weeks, or so I thought. I began to study and about two hours and four pages of notes later, I had only been through chapter one, but I had learned so much.

So take a look at Ruth 1:16-17 - "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."

We see in these verses that Ruth loved Naomi. She loved her so much that she would travel with her. She would stay with her. Ruth would adopt Naomi's people. Ruth claimed Naomi's God as her own. She would die where Naomi died, and she would be buried with her.

Naomi encouraged both of the sisters to return home. Orpah left, but Ruth stayed. Oh, Orpah had affection for Naomi, but it wasn't strong enough to make her stay. She kissed her mother-in-law and returned to Moab. At first, both said they would stay, but Naomi discouraged them. She told them she had absolutely nothing to offer them. No future. No hope.

But Ruth has already decided to stay. Her love was that strong.

So, how's your love? Is it just affection like Orpah's? Or is it commitment like Ruth's? Do you love God enough to give Him your past? Ruth did. She left her family behind. Do you love God enough to give Him your present? Ruth did. She left her home. Do you love Him enough to give Him your future? Ruth did. Her hopes of finding a new husband or making anything of her life were slim. But God blessed her beyond her comprehension.

So now, the big question - how much do you really love God? What will it cost you? Is He worth it?