You’re the city on a hill

The beacon, the lighthouse

Pointing us to the Cross

To the one who brought us life/light

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me - to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

—2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Thank you :’)

And good night 

Today in class, I turned to my friend and said - and I quote - “I wish I could just crawl into a hole and die.” She laughed it off, but I couldn’t help but feel incredibly guilty as soon as I said it. And the worst part is, I wasn’t even half joking. This week has been incredibly exhausting, and I don’t really know why. I guess being physically ill makes everything seem ten times more tiring and irritating than they should be. It’s definitely affected me academically - but also spiritually, too. I remember a Beacon sermon a few months back where the speaker said something along these lines: Wanting to be with the Lord is fine. But wanting to avoid your problems and die is not glorifying to God - it’s just a cheap escape with Jesus as an excuse. 

Jesus is so much more than an excuse. He’s not only the One who saves us from death, but gives us purpose for life on earth as well. But what about those “problems”? Here’s a verse that’s been kicking around my mind for the past few weeks or so. Okay, maybe the quarter. Actually, like, the entire year: 

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” 

— Romans 8:28 (NASB)

Romans has got to be one of my favorite books. Paul is so straight up with everything he says, whether it’s admitting his personal struggles or giving gentle (and sometimes not so gentle) admonishments and reminders to the Romans. This verse always reminds me that God works in mysterious ways, but that all things are ultimately for His glory. As Christians, we all want to be more forgiving, loving, patient, Christlike…but God doesn’t automatically imbibe us with instant forgiveness, love, patience, and holiness. He works indirectly through trials and, at times, difficult situations in order to refine us for His glory and for our good. If being Christlike were as easy as praying to God and becoming instantly holy the next day, we obviously wouldn’t be here. But since we are called according to His purpose, we must also surrender to God’s (sometimes tough) love and ways of working within us. And we must take comfort in the fact that all things will work for our good one day, whether by strengthening our faith or helping us to bear fruit. 

On repeat. The last 60 seconds of this song are perfection 

Why do I seek to find joy in what is temporary, when the eternal is right in front of me? When will I stop thinking like a child and start becoming an adult?

Conclusion: Never again

Feels good to be done with finals :) WHAT UP SPRING BREAK