But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
(John 16:7)
My wonderful ladies, it is so hard for me not to be with you in person. I want to sing and dance like a fool with you to all the Taylor Swift songs at Young Life club. I want to cheer you on from the side lines of football games and dance recitals. I want to be the t-shirt you wipe your snotty tears on when you are heartbroken over family and friend hurts. I want to love you as I stand right beside you.
But it is for your good that I am going away. How do I know? Well, I know this was said by Jesus, and I am not him by any means (just ask my mom these days), but he has taught me something. Obeying the Father and living life for him often means sacrifice. And when the Lord calls us to sacrifice it also leads to fruit, not only for us, but also in the lives of those around us. I know the Lord has called me away, and because of that, I also know that he has incredible blessing in store for you, the ones that I love so very much. And I am so excited to see the work that the Holy Spirit is going to do in and through you!
With that said, I am writing this blog to be an encouragement and tool for your walk as a disciple of our Lord, friend, teacher, husband, maker, redeemer Jesus Christ. I love you all, and it brings me joy to know that you are continuing to follow the Lord, and I will offer what I can to assist you in that process!
So here are some ideas that you can implement this week if you so choose...
READ: John 1-7. I challenge you to read one chapter a day. More or less if you so choose, BUT whether you read a lot or a little, I encourage you to read at least some of it every day. And if you finish before the week is up, then start back at John 1 and read it again. AND as you read, take notes of any questions you have and either ask Kelli or post them to me here and I will get back to you as best I can =)
MEMORIZE: Deuteronomy 6:5. "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Jesus calls this the greatest command, so it would do us well to commit it to memory! (I'll work on it this week, too!) Even if you know it, I challenge you to review it every day anyway. Repeat it to yourself in the shower, as you walk to class, etc. Let it reshape and renew your mind!
PRAY: In light of this week's memory verse, ask God to help you love him with all your heart, soul, and strength. Spend some time intentionally with him, and ask him what it means to love him in this way. Ask him how you can love him "the most" in different areas of your life. And ask him for the strength to do so.
That's it! That's my challenge to you. I love you girls, and I am so grateful that the Lord has allowed me to know and walk alongside you. You are such a blessing to me.
But it is for your good that I am going away. How do I know? Well, I know this was said by Jesus, and I am not him by any means (just ask my mom these days), but he has taught me something. Obeying the Father and living life for him often means sacrifice. And when the Lord calls us to sacrifice it also leads to fruit, not only for us, but also in the lives of those around us. I know the Lord has called me away, and because of that, I also know that he has incredible blessing in store for you, the ones that I love so very much. And I am so excited to see the work that the Holy Spirit is going to do in and through you!
With that said, I am writing this blog to be an encouragement and tool for your walk as a disciple of our Lord, friend, teacher, husband, maker, redeemer Jesus Christ. I love you all, and it brings me joy to know that you are continuing to follow the Lord, and I will offer what I can to assist you in that process!
So here are some ideas that you can implement this week if you so choose...
READ: John 1-7. I challenge you to read one chapter a day. More or less if you so choose, BUT whether you read a lot or a little, I encourage you to read at least some of it every day. And if you finish before the week is up, then start back at John 1 and read it again. AND as you read, take notes of any questions you have and either ask Kelli or post them to me here and I will get back to you as best I can =)
MEMORIZE: Deuteronomy 6:5. "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Jesus calls this the greatest command, so it would do us well to commit it to memory! (I'll work on it this week, too!) Even if you know it, I challenge you to review it every day anyway. Repeat it to yourself in the shower, as you walk to class, etc. Let it reshape and renew your mind!
PRAY: In light of this week's memory verse, ask God to help you love him with all your heart, soul, and strength. Spend some time intentionally with him, and ask him what it means to love him in this way. Ask him how you can love him "the most" in different areas of your life. And ask him for the strength to do so.
That's it! That's my challenge to you. I love you girls, and I am so grateful that the Lord has allowed me to know and walk alongside you. You are such a blessing to me.
Sincerely,
Sarah Smith (if you are wondering why I'm signing off with this name, read the excerpt on the right side of this blog... Sarah Smith is the kind of woman I aspire to be, and I pray that over all of you, as well!)
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