At this time last year, things were quite different. How I viewed the world, God and others was quite a bit different.
When I became a Christian on April 23, an unknown feeling came over me. It was joy; pure, never-ending joy. The excitement and energy that was felt soon after that day was different than any joy that I felt prior.
It's a hard feeling to explain. When one realizes that we as humans sin daily, it makes the idea that a perfect God would adopt us as His own that much more unbelievably amazing. On top of that, knowing that all the punishment and wrath that we should have received for said sins was placed on Jesus, making us free of said wrath, is just simply phenomenal....
....which sets the tone nicely for the amount of emotion and feeling I feel after experiencing another Vision Quest, the annual spring break trip for Volunteers for Christ (VFC).
At this time last year, I was not a Christian, though at times I felt that I was. I had be continually be reminded that I wasn't a Christian yet, but I accepted that, which didn't ruin my time at VQ. After last year's trip, I had a deep sense of optimism that I would be a Christian at some point in the near future. Of course, it would only be a month later when I became a Christian, so VQ has always had a special place within VFC for me.
This year overall has been interesting. Not bad, just interesting. It's been an extremely great year academically, athletically and socially. It's just been interesting. As this is my first school year as a Christian, it has quite a different feel to it in good and bad ways. For one, I've appreciated all the little things in life a ton more. Being able to be financially stable throughout, being able to be at an institution at UT, being able to know the people I know and have the relationships I have are all gifts and blessings that I simply cannot be more thankful of.
On the other hand, it has been a struggle at times as well. My consistency in terms of reading the Bible or acting like I should be acting have been spotty at times (maybe I'm too hard on myself...probably not). I also have an urging desire to compare myself to where others are that in their Christian walk. Being the same age as many VFC-ers here that have been Christians for a longer period of time, I always have a sense that I need to do more and more and more, so I can be on the same level as others. Motive? Way off. Right idea? I don't know.
Despite all of that, I have been sustained this entire year. Things have changed, people have changed, but I am still here, faith more intact than ever before and this week on the beaches of the Florida panhandle was a pinnacle week.
I knew that I would enjoy VQ. That was never in doubt, but I did not fully expect to feel that same joy and passion I felt when I was saved. It's overwhelming at times, but is quite possibly one of the best feelings a person can feel.
Every message, every conversation, every worship song, every picture, every moment all convey what God has done in my life over the past two years-ish. Looking back, knowing what has been done to get me to the place that I am is quite chilling to think about (See http://robbyv92.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-testimony.html). The amount that He has done was evident at VQ. A community like VFC where college students join is rare as it is, but being able to be part of a group of Christian college students who love, not strive, to talk about God and what he does/has done provides a great atmosphere and it is beyond exhilarating for me to be a part of it all. The people that have made my journey possible (or, rather, those that God has used to make it possible) are always a part of me and it is great to see them and have the relationships continue.
I AM BEAMING HERE!!!!!!!!!! To say I am excited is a drastic understatement. Knowing that I am a Christian is awesome. I know there is a lot that I have left out from this thought, but knowing that He knows me and loves me is a feeling that no words can ever describe.
Singing a pitchy version of Tangled doesn't quite describe it either.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Bible Verse of the Day 3/18/12
And we, who with unveiled faces all [contemplate and] reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Bible Verse of the Day 3/17/12
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
Bible Verse of the Day 3/16/12
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Bible Verse of the Day 3/13/12
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
Monday, March 12, 2012
Bible Verse of the Day 3/12/12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Quote of the Day
"All men are tempted. There is no man that lives that can't be broken down, provided it is the right temptation, put in the right spot." -- Henry Ward Beecher
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)