Ever play a song so many times you just know it’s going to be worn out by the end of the week, but you keep playing it over on end anyway? The Troy Tones a cappella version of You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up). Check that one out; it’s only available on iTunes. Well-worth the purchase. If you bought the South High Spring Revue CD, it’s on there, sung by Emily.
I’ve been studying for my Chem exam like a mad woman, but I’m all Chem’ed out for the moment and I’m waiting to meet with my Cru leader so I thought I’d kill some time bloggin’ away.
Last night was the first round in Life Eggs. I was almost brought to tears… and I haven’t even delivered mine yet. I’ll take it as a good sign. There was just something about the honesty and openness of the other girls that was really… inspiring. And convicting in a weird way. They did it; there were real struggles shared, hard stuff that they didn’t even know me well enough to trust me with. It’s only fair that I be equally trusting and tell the whole truth.
And timing was all so interesting because I’d been listening to that song over and over, and thinking about how God never intended for us to go through these hurts and struggles alone. I’d just gotten so comfortable with everyone at arms length, that I forgot what it was like to have community, to have people that are there to encourage you and talk about the hard stuff, walk in the struggle with you and address where He is present—remind you of His truths when the lies you tell yourself are filling up your own head. God works through people that way. I think I used the excuse too often that I couldn’t depend on anybody but God, and didn’t even recognize Him when He was prying through the words of someone who cared about me.
God intended us for community.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God ([together, they did that]) and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. – Acts 2:42-47
Fellowship, guys. He created us for togetherness, in Him; He intended for us to walk alongside each other, and I haven’t allowed anyone to be next to me for so long… Sometimes I feel like I don’t even know how to let someone be near me, stand close to me-- much less show me any kind of comfort. I guess I’m just really lucky that my God is such a persistent God in His pursuits for me.
I praise Him the people He’s used to break me. I praise Him the people He’s still using to break me. I praise Him there are still people that remember who I really am when I’ve forgotten.
Understanding that the Life Eggs are just the things that have made us who we are, pieces of our pasts, makes the whole thing a little bit easier. And Paul always said that if we have anything to be proud of, it is only our struggles. Because that means we’re boasting in God’s power to heal. I found it funny today that to me, “the past” is synonymous with “the struggle.”
I’ve got something to be shared there, at least. How else could I even begin to show how remarkable God has ever been made evident to me?
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