Be Still

I'm a control freak. I'm such a Type A personality. I have lists for any and everything. I try to be efficient and end up being unproductive. I hurry. I overthink. I make little things bigger than they need to be. Whoaaaa, yikes! That's probably not the way to attract a handsome, attractive young man, is it?! ;) I probably didn't need to share all of those lovely qualities... but I'm sure if you're honest, you can all relate.

Because my life seems to be a big 'to-do' list, my intimate time with God tends to be put on the 'when-there's-time' list. Oops!

This season of Lent, I truly do desire to know my Savior more intimately. I need to get rid of the distractions, the busyness, the hurry... and simply be still and sit at His feet. By doing so, I know a natural progression will arise that will allow me to:

• Better know Jesus, His love for me, and His perfect life lived for me
• Recognize and repent more openly and honestly of my sin
• Understand the holiness and awsomeness of God my Father
• Realize my utter dependence on Jesus my Savior and better understand His passion and journey that he endured for my sake
• Serve him more joyfully and freely 
• Ultimately continue to be still and sit at his feet more and more - because who wouldn't want to come to a fuller knowledge of all of these wonderful truths?!

That sounds like a lot, even for me, Miss List Queen! But it's not more I have to do. It's not my own ability or knowledge or will-power that God desires or needs to make this transformational heart change. It's actually less. It's availability. And that can be done when I just slow down and realize that my life and my lists really aren't that important. But knowing my Savior certainly is.

"Be Still and know that I am God; I will be exalted
among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." -Psalm 46:10

To help me be more still and slow down to avoid spiritual distractions this Lenten season, I'm giving up speeding. Weird, right? But it makes sense. Speeding just incites a spirit of hurriedness. Which leads to feeling like I always need to be going somewhere to do something. Which leads to this incessantly distracted, busy, and spiritually thirsty girl.

I'm also going to be learning and studying from a beautiful example in the Bible: Mary and Martha, in "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World." One woman who was distracted, over-worked, and frustrated. One, who was still, quiet, and available. And through this study, I hope to better understand how I can sit at my Savior's feet while still accomplishing the tasks that need to be done. How to be devoted in worship before accomplishing my work and service. How to have the "better life" that Jesus tells Martha about.

God just asks for my availability. He will do the rest and be exalted through me and my work. What peace and comfort Psalm 46:10 brings to this busy and striving young lady!

Beautiful Feet

Intentional walking. Hmm, that seems obvious and redundant. After all, don't I always walk with a purpose, having somewhere to go or someone to see? Physically, of course that's almost always the case: I walk around my house to get ready in the morning, I walk to my car to go to work or class, and even when I get lost while walking, I still had a purpose in mind! Not only am I intentional with my steps, but efficient... getting from point A to point B as directly and quickly as possible. In the physical sense, I am always walking intentionally.

However, I don't think intentional walking is always the case spiritually as I walk through life. I often start off with good intentions, but become distracted, lose focus, and end up coasting through or stumbling along. My feet become like that of a infant and I start going in circles and take 4 steps back to go 1 forward. That, or I get in my efficient walking mode and cruise right through, oblivious to the circumstances around me. As a result, my relationships with God and the people around me become anything but intentional. Yet Jesus' whole ministry was focused on pouring into others, even as he washed their feet - the very tools used for such intentional walking!

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" -Romans 10:15. The disciples' feet were beautiful not only because were washed by Jesus, but because of the purpose and intentions of their paths. All of these men put their lives on the line to share the gospel, to reach out to and be aware of others, and to love deeply and unconditionally.

So, in this last semester as a college student as I am about to leave what is known and embark in another new challenge, how can I, too, have such beautiful feet? How can I be prepared for the next chapter while still leaving a lasting footprint on this one? It will take my being intentional. First, with my walk with God. Being fed and in communion with Him, recognizing His work in my daily life, and growing closer to my Savior... "walking by faith, not by sight," -1 Corinthians 5:7. Second, with the people and situations around me. Pouring into others and fostering the relationships with my friends - on a deep level so that they will remain in love beyond graduation.

Such intentionality will require my Type A personality to slow down, and maybe start to stroll through life, just as if I were walking through campus or downtown on a nice day. No time frame or agenda, just an observant, content, and inquisitive state of mind - enjoying what the walk has to offer. I'm excited yet a little nervous to embark on this walk through my blog... something so new and tangible and with such accountability! But what better way to share my journey's path with its ups and downs, pit-stops and roadblocks than this medium. So please, come along on my journey. Walk, and have Beautiful Feet.