new school year

August 25, 2011

Today was the first day of my 2nd year in grad school! I can't believe summer is over again. Sadness. I loved summer. I loved spending time with my church friends - sharing, encouraging, and praying for one another. I loved spending time with my family - going out to hike or sight see, taking nightly strolls while we encouraged one another to grow spiritually, serving together at church, sitting at home with my mom reading books or talking about the spiritual insights God was revealing to the both of us, and having our weekly family meetings where we'd pray together as a family for one another. I've realized that at home, not a day goes by without my family having conversations saturated with the joys, the peace, the exciting spiritual insights, and the encouragements that come from God. I loved serving and investing in my home church - being available for the youth to talk to, to encourage, and to delve deeper into some of the best (and necessary) questions I've rarely heard from others, and being given the privilege to serve with good friends and striving together in this race and in encouraging one another to grow in the respective areas God has convicted us to grow in. This summer was one filled with much joy, much value, much meaning, and much love. I already miss my family, my church, and my friends!

But the new school year is just starting. And already I'm quite excited at what God is already teaching and molding me in and in the opportunities He's already placed in my life to glorify Him. Lately, I've been learning a lot about genuinely loving those around me with love from Christ as well as being Spirit-led and Spirit-filled. In merely the last two days (I can't believe I've only been back for two days - it feels like it's been an entire week already with all the things I've had to do), I've both obeyed and disobeyed the Spirit's conviction in my heart. I've been both successful and unsuccessful at looking at everyone through Christ's eyes of love and grace. It's an exciting growing progress, and it's been amazing realizing how much grace God has on me in the times that I disobey and fail. But these times of 'failures' keep me humble. Quick success will just lead to pride, and already today I've seen how pride and the weakness of my sinful nature has led me to disobey the Spirit's leading. But there are also joyful times too when I just know I've genuinely allowed the Spirit to lead me in my conversations and in my words, and have reaped the joy and peace that ultimately follows from such obedience. I can only pray for more of the Holy Spirit in me, and less of my pride, less of my sinfulness, less of my weakness, and more of God's strength in me.

This school year will be an exciting one as I pursue the Holy Spirit to totally consume my life and as I grow in loving everyone with Christ's love. :)