Share your story

I am in the middle of two books. Two very different books.
I am reading The Reason for God by Timothy Keller and Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey.
While you might find the title of the second book a little strange, that's okay, I did too.
I picked it up out of curiosity.

Recently, I have been on a quest to redefine Christianity.
At least, redefine it in my own heart.

I'm fascinated by people stories.
What they have been through.
What they have overcome.
How they met Jesus.
Basically, their story of grace.

I am constantly reading blog posts and constantly trying to identify with someone.
But i've come to discover that my story and someone else's story will never look the same.
Sure, we have one thing in common, Jesus, but how I met Jesus and my encounter with Him, will never be the same as someone else's.
And I think that is how it was intended.

Whether I am a complementarian or an egalitarian, a calvinist or an arminian, whether I believe in predestination or free will, whether I am pre-tribulation or post-tribulation, a baptist or a presbyterian, doesn't matter.
What matters is my personal relationship with Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit inside my heart.

I picked up a copy of Jesus Feminist completely out of curiosity, but what I've discovered by reading her book is that Sarah Bessey loves Jesus and has a heart for the Lord.
She is passionately seeking His will the only way she knows how.
She is fighting for what she believes is right and for that, I respect her.
I understand the entire reason behind her book because I understand her story.

People do not make sense without their stories.

So share yours.
With your best friend, with a person you met a month ago, with the random man you met in Walmart.
You never know how much your story can bless someone else or how much freedom can come from leaning into the pain.


Melanie

A beautiful mess

As I was driving back to school tonight for my last semester at Cedarville, my head was spinning with thoughts of fall semester, fears of spring semester, and hopes for my future. 

People keep asking me "You have one semester left! That's crazy! Are you ready?!"

I have spent three and a half years at Cedarville University. 
I have met and formed relationships that I will have for the rest of my life.
I have learned how to become a teacher.
I have learned that I do not want to be a teacher.
I have learned how to fall more in love with Jesus.
I have discovered my passion.
I have been mentored and poured into by several women I trust and respect.
I have said many goodbyes but also several hellos.
And that is just to name a few.

The Lord has used my job as a resident assistant to teach me and bless me.
He has shown me my passion and my heart for mentoring and discipling. 
I have learned that I do love to teach, just not formally. 

Three years ago, I thought I would get to January and be more than excited to student teach but quite frankly, I do not want to do it. 
I love my students and I love when I teach a lesson and can see the light bulb moment happen but I hate the entire process that it takes to be a teacher.
The Lord has really shown me through my job as a RA that I want to pursue ministry.
I have submitted my application to Dallas Theological Seminary to pursue my Masters in Christian Leadership and I have also applied to be a Resident Director at Emmanuel College in Georgia.

While my heart has many dreams, my head is very rational.
I'm learning (slowly) that it's okay to dream and pursue the desires of my heart.
After all, The Lord is the one who gave me my passions and my gifts and I want to honor and glorify Him with them. 

I am in a season of unknown. If you know me, these are the seasons that I dread the most.

So, for everyone asking me the question "Are you ready?!"
Yes, I am ready, but I am terrified.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase"
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.