We are constantly torn and pulled in every direction. Every single on of us have to do lists. If you write one or not, you are constantly making a list mentally of what needs to get done for the day. For students, it usually sounds more like what homework do I have or what test do I need to study for or billions of other things. We push ourselves to make the most of everyday and complete as much as we can. But why? We feel like everything lies on our shoulders, and we have to impress people by doing the most or getting the best grade or we want to get into nursing school (ME! :) ). We all have some sort of pressure to be perfect.
Last night at The Living Room ( a college ministry with Browns Bridge), Ryan Gray talked about Jesus' view on perfectionism. Well... this hit me hard because I constantly find myself striving for perfection. I hate to say it but sometimes I feel like a prisoner to perfectionism because sometimes if I don't strive for perfection, I feel like I am not good enough. Maybe it is just me who feels like that but maybe everyone has a little bit of that in them: that if I don't live up to my standards or others standards I am not good enough. As I have had to learned (the hard ways), I don't have to be perfect to be good enough because Jesus loves me right where I am. He loves me regardless of what I think about myself, what I make on a test, how many activities I am in, and anything else. He died on that cross for me and YOU! At the living room, Ryan brought to light Matthew 23:25! It talks about how you have to clean the inside of your cup, not your outside. Once you clean your heart and soul (by giving it to Jesus), your outside will be clean as well. He encouraged us to be real, and that isn't the easiest thing most of the time. We are so quick to close up about our emotions because we don't want others to see our struggles. Well here are a few of mine: loneness, sadness, anxiety, anger, confused, not good enough and so much more. Although I struggle with all of these things, I constantly try to give my heart to Jesus to turn those struggles into rejoices. From loneness to comfort, sadness into joy, anxiety into peace, anger into kindness, not good enough into good enough. I can't change those on my own, so I have to constantly give Jesus my crap and make the trade for His unfailing love and forgiveness. It is normal to struggle because we are all human, but I challenge you as you go through your to do list is add time with Jesus to be real and time to talk with a trustworthy friend or mentor to help guide you back to the love you so desire. As I sit here looking out over University of North Georgia, I am thankful Jesus led me here. I am thankful for the to do list He gave me, and the people he placed in my life. Without making the trade of my struggles for His love, I wouldn't be exactly where I am suppose to be surrounded with the people I love most. Making that trade of your imperfection for His grace is the best (I MEAN BEST!!!) decision you could ever make. So why not? Why not try it? Here are a few college updates that pile into my to do list: - Spending time with my incredible suite-mates! Talk about a God thing... I couldn't be any more grateful for having the best friends in the world and we live in the same dorm! They are full of joy, grace, compassion, love, kindness, and the list is endless. -Peace with anatomy. - Making time for quiet time... this one is actually hard because in college you get to decide what you do with your time. -Joyful outlook in every aspect
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Lindsey LawtonJust a college freshman trying to figure life out Archives
January 2019
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