if only we lived like this...

To the church-
Grace and peace be unto you.
I always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in my prayers.
I continually remember before my God and Father your work produced by faith,
your labor prompted by love,
and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I know that he has chosen you,
because the gospel came to you not simply with words,
but also with power,
with the Holy Spirit,
and with deep conviction.
Your faith in God has become known everywhere.
Do not put out the Spirit's fire.
May God himself-the God of peace,
sanctify you through and through.
The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
May our Lord Jesus Christ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Grace be with you.

I feel so unsatisfied. I also feel completely selfish and immature for saying that, but its a true statement. Some of it has to do with school and the fact that exams are upon us now. Yet, once again, I could care less. I’d rather hang out with my friends then study; I’ve fallen back into the thinking of “well, since I haven’t done well on my tests, theres no way I can pass the class” and I just honestly don’t care. I’ve started thinking that I’d rather be working next semester; forget school, forget classes, forget it all-just work and get some money saved up once again. Yet, I’m afraid if I do that, then I’ll never come back here, either by stuff always coming up and I never get around to getting a degree, or that the college won’t let me back in since my gpa is so low. I’m honestly surprised that the college hasn’t contacted me about my low gpa and given me a warning as of yet…we’ll see how it is in a few weeks once grades have been posted.

…I know I feel like God has told me that something along the lines of missions work is in my future-I just don’t know what. I know that in order to do Chi Alpha I have to have a degree. But what if its not Chi Alpha and what if the question is when am I supposed to be getting that degree and is now the time to do so? I hate the thought of just wasting money on school when I’m not doing so well. I’d rather get a job and work. And yet, I know that if I did get a job and started working that I’d just complain about that as much as I do with school.

I feel like such a scumbag whenever people tell me that they are having to worry about financial aid, or scholarships, or loans when dealing with college. I have it easy. I’ve made it through basically on my inheiritance from my Opa, minus a semester that my parents paid for. So technically I am wasting my own money doing something I hate; complaining day in and day out, and yet I do nothing to change it. I’m sick of school. But I’m afraid to drop out. Not just because of what people will say and think whenever they see me or whenever my name comes up in conversations, but I’m scared of what I’d have to do next. I’ve known nothing but school for the past 16 years of my life. Sure, I held a part-time job in high school, and two jobs one summer during college, but there’s a difference between going to school, part-time job on the side, and just doing a full-time job with no school added. A major difference.

I just don’t care. Which is a major part of the problem. I want to find something that I am passionette about doing; something I can see myself doing daily and not being bored at it. But I haven’t found it. Most of my friends get so excited when talking about what they want to do, and me-I feel ashamed. I have no idea. I have no passion. I want to figure out what my passion is, but I don’t want to waste the money on it.

I just wish I had the answers now instead of waiting to see whats going to happen. I really need to spend some time praying on this all, but lately I haven’t even been spending time with God. And when I do, its quick. Nothing taken in, nothing understood, but just words blending all into one phrase of “oh yea, I read my Bible today”. And I can’t tell anyone this. Well, I guess I could (especially since I’m telling basically the whole world here) but I’d be just too ashamed. It’s hard to tell people when you are failing in something, its hard to open up that part of yourself. But I can see it affecting me: I’m becoming more snappy, complaining more (something I hate about myself and try as I might I guess I’m not doing a very good job at breaking that habit as the guys keep bringing it to my attention), and the likes.

I feel like I’ve just wasted an entire semester and I have nothing to show for it. Sure, I’ve had some laughs and some fun. But have I honestly done anything that is really affecting? Have I allowed God to minister through me in any way? Have I connected better with people then before? Have I have I have I have???? There are just so many of those questions floating in my head, and I’m afraid the answer is a resounding “no” which disappoints me to the core. For someone who’s heart wants and even longs to be in the right place, my actions sure don’t show it.

I just wish…I don’t even know what I wish…and thats the sad part.

my prayer...

You know my folly, O God;
my guilt is not hidden from you.
May those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me.
May those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me.

Sovereign Lord

The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears,
and I have not been rebellious;
I have not drawn back.

I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.

He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
Let him confront me!
It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.
Who is he that will condemn me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
the moths will eat them up.
Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant?
Let him who walks in the dark,
who has no light,
trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.

-Isaiah 50:4-10