In 2005, I joined a group of students and young adults for a summer at a church in the Bay Area of California called Peninsula Covenant Church. Little did I know what a role this place would have in my life in the future!
But that summer, as a Summer Ministry Project Staffer, I worked with the young adults ministry and helped administrate the summer day camp for the 100+ kids that attended Monday-Friday for ten weeks in the summer.
I also learned so many things, God healed so many things, challenged my faith in so many ways, and I grew and was discipled and discipled others.
One thing that came from that time (and those who had attended as SMPS in previous summers) was the idea of choosing a word to illustrate the season that God had you in. I have had many words over the years, all of them illustrations of God's good work in me (even if the seasons were hard).
When I was traveling at home, I was asked what my word was for this season, and I must honestly admit...I hadn't spent any time in prayer about what God was doing in me and had nothing to offer.
So, I buckled down and listened.
And I have three words for the year. Words of things that I felt God has given me to focus on throughout the whole year. Words that express what he is doing in me.
INTIMACY
I spent a day with my dear friend Lauren Majewski when I was in the Bay. I love time with her. She's beautiful and her heart overflows and splashes onto anyone that comes near. She is someone who makes me laugh so hard, can inspire me with her heart, and allows God to work in her so honestly. I was challenged to grow in my intimacy with Christ because of how in love with Jesus Lauren is. I long for more of that. I long for a filling that changes how I speak of Him, how I serve Him, how I love Him.
CREATIVITY
I will be the first one to admit that I am a work-aholic. And sometimes that need to fix everything, that desire for everything to be perfect, to give without thought of myself--sometimes that takes over even the places that fill and inspire me. So, this year, I want to be creative in ways that I haven't been in a long time. I want to scrapbook (I know...I know...but I love it). I want to write new music. I want to paint. I want to write. I want to be creative in a way that fills me with God's presence.
REST
When I was with my friends Kat and Isaiah in North Carolina, Katty challenged me with this idea of rest. I have been struggling with finding places of rest in my life for a long time. So, when I was talking through this with my sweet Katty, she said that when her and Zay moved to North Carolina, they felt like they needed to learn how to rest well and slow down. But, what they found was that even if they were busy, they needed to learn how to find rest in God. They needed to learn how to delve into true rest. And so, they woke up earlier and spent longer in the Word. They prayed together more, even if they had to stay up later. And while they might look busy, they are settled because they dwell in a place of rest. I want that for myself this year.
So, if you think about it, pray for me. Pray for these words over me.
And take some time to stop and listen. Press in. What word or words has God given you for this season?
But that summer, as a Summer Ministry Project Staffer, I worked with the young adults ministry and helped administrate the summer day camp for the 100+ kids that attended Monday-Friday for ten weeks in the summer.
I also learned so many things, God healed so many things, challenged my faith in so many ways, and I grew and was discipled and discipled others.
One thing that came from that time (and those who had attended as SMPS in previous summers) was the idea of choosing a word to illustrate the season that God had you in. I have had many words over the years, all of them illustrations of God's good work in me (even if the seasons were hard).
When I was traveling at home, I was asked what my word was for this season, and I must honestly admit...I hadn't spent any time in prayer about what God was doing in me and had nothing to offer.
So, I buckled down and listened.
And I have three words for the year. Words of things that I felt God has given me to focus on throughout the whole year. Words that express what he is doing in me.
INTIMACY
I spent a day with my dear friend Lauren Majewski when I was in the Bay. I love time with her. She's beautiful and her heart overflows and splashes onto anyone that comes near. She is someone who makes me laugh so hard, can inspire me with her heart, and allows God to work in her so honestly. I was challenged to grow in my intimacy with Christ because of how in love with Jesus Lauren is. I long for more of that. I long for a filling that changes how I speak of Him, how I serve Him, how I love Him.
CREATIVITY
I will be the first one to admit that I am a work-aholic. And sometimes that need to fix everything, that desire for everything to be perfect, to give without thought of myself--sometimes that takes over even the places that fill and inspire me. So, this year, I want to be creative in ways that I haven't been in a long time. I want to scrapbook (I know...I know...but I love it). I want to write new music. I want to paint. I want to write. I want to be creative in a way that fills me with God's presence.
REST
When I was with my friends Kat and Isaiah in North Carolina, Katty challenged me with this idea of rest. I have been struggling with finding places of rest in my life for a long time. So, when I was talking through this with my sweet Katty, she said that when her and Zay moved to North Carolina, they felt like they needed to learn how to rest well and slow down. But, what they found was that even if they were busy, they needed to learn how to find rest in God. They needed to learn how to delve into true rest. And so, they woke up earlier and spent longer in the Word. They prayed together more, even if they had to stay up later. And while they might look busy, they are settled because they dwell in a place of rest. I want that for myself this year.
So, if you think about it, pray for me. Pray for these words over me.
And take some time to stop and listen. Press in. What word or words has God given you for this season?
Intimacy and Rest...my words for the first two months of the year! Although I'm thinking of picking a different word for each month, I may dwell in these two for a while. I'm glad we have some of the same words!! :)
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