My Summer
Going into this summer I didn't know what to expect nor did I even want to give my internship a try. After viewing the weekly schedule I completely changed my outlook on my decision to pursue this internship. I was given the opportunity to intern at my church, Big Valley Grace, to work in the Communications department. In this internship I would be learning more about my craft (design, writing, marketing) but also see new relationships unfold and witness my walk with God become stronger. I had to numb my current worries and trust that God will do some amazing things. This seems to be a constant trend with me: I doubt, He delivers. I worry, He wipes it away. I am wrong, He is right. I ended my internship last Wednesday and it was the best decision of my life. Okay that may sound very dramatic (I can be very dramatic) but I have never been more serious. The first week of my internship I was miserable to the core with long hours and with people I worried I would become annoyed with by constantly being with, but it was until the 3rd week I began to see the Lord unfold some marvelous truths:
1. I can't, but God can!
There is no way I could have accomplished a summer like this without Him by my side. He revealed to me that as much as I think I have it taken care of and although I am working alongside 16 other interns and many pastors, I still need to lean on Him. I was told in the beginning of the internship that there have been interns in the past that completely ran away from the faith and they warned us that there will be spiritual warfare. From that point I decided to lock eyes with the One who ransomed me and the One who gave me joy for morning. I never want to imagine a life without the Lord. So now that I have finished the internship I cannot fathom as to how some interns in the past left their faith. As of now, I pray more, I serve more, and I love more than I ever thought I was ever capable of.
2. God TRULY has a great sense of humor.
I have always known that the Lord has a great sense of humor. However, I have never laughed with God and shared so many intimate moments with Him. Rewind to Memorial Day I was absolutely dreading Monday May 31 to come because as far as I was concerned "My summer is over. I will no longer have a life." Now while writing this I am laughing because He revealed to me how to truly live in the faith. How ironic. I thought working with the 16 other interns would drain me but I have met 7 more lifelong friends. I thought working with pastors and leaders of the church would cause me to try and please them but oddly enough I only had to give my best and be myself and that was enough for them (imagine that!). I thought working long hours would exhaust me but I found myself wanting to stay later and help as much as I can. Ultimately, what I thought would be a barrier this summer was actually a blessing.
3. The Gospel is simple.
I had the opportunity to help design the Summer Women's Bible Study this summer, focused on the Book of Colossians. Besides designing the layout of devotions and the website, I was asked to write a devotion on Colossians 1:1-12. Throughout this summer the band, United Pursuit, gave me so much comfort, peace, and joy. In the happiest of occasions or when life seems unbearable I would listen to United Pursuit. There song Met By Love particularly comforted me the most, but their song Simple Gospel came to my mind while reading Colossians 2. The Lord revealed so much truth and wisdom while listening to this song and reading this chapter. If there is one certain truth that I learned this summer is would be:
There is a sense of happiness and pureness in having an authentic friendship that develops naturally. Of course, most of us need to take into account that sometimes we treat God poorly, and end up not experiencing true love in our relationship with Him. The Message version says it perfectly in Colossians 2:7, “School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it!” The gospel is that simple, so let's rejoice in it. Seek simplicity in this chaotic world! The gospel is as simple as being friends with Jesus. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). To be friends with God, you do not need a telescope, microscope, or horoscope to realize the simplicity of faith. When you come to Him, that fullness of who He is comes together for you. When this happens we realize that being friends with the Lord is the most natural relationship we can have. His love and simplicity extends over everything!
To read my devotion entirely and the others written by amazing, Godly women go to: http://bigvalleygrace.org/colossians/ and pick Day 3.
4. Tammock
Last night I said good-bye to people that I developed a beautiful friendship with. I have always journaled my devotions, what the Lord reveals to me, and in church but I began to journal my days this summer. There was always a constant repetition in each one: We laughed. These friends of mine caused me to laugh so much and so hard that I did not think was capable. They brought joy that was genuine and authentic. They prayed so powerfully. They were people that I spent every waking moment who in turn became my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you Mady, Mason, Reagan, Timmy, Zane, and Jo for loving me, trusting me, and teaching me.
5. Kingdom Work
Thank you Pastor Tim for expanding my steps and teaching me things both Spiritually and academically. Thank you Brandon for teaching me to walk slow through the crowd, to write down memories, and how to work with a purpose. Thank you Pastor Gordon for demonstrating to me what a person after God's own heart looks like and how to stand firm in the faith. And thank you Erin for allowing me to be part of your Bible Study, teaching me how to embrace who God created me to be, and to not let comparison get in the way of my joy. Thank you ALL for being mentors in my life...
There is not enough words to describe how much this summer has meant to me. This is the summer I am eternally thankful for, I will never forget, and that is beneficial in all aspects of life and for my future. The Lord delivered me and provided. I am on fire for the Lord and no one can put it out. I have one desire and no one can shut it down.
I am grateful and He is gracious. Happy Day!
XO
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