Whew! I am just finishing up week three of my new semester. It's gonna be a rough one, by all predictions! I am taking 15 hours of graduate level classes (which equates to about 15 hours of reading and homework per week, too) and working 30 hours a week at Starbucks. While I love my job and coworkers and am enjoying my classes, that's quite a load! So, friends and family, if you don't hear from me very often in the next few months, wait until after December 13. I'll be more available! ;-)
In addition to a super busy schedule, "life" is happening around me. I find myself in a financial bind trying to pay tuition, as well as simple bills like my car payment and rent. (The cost of living here in the Bay Area is astronomical!) Even though I'm keeping my head above water, it's still bringing stress into my life. More important than my (silly) money worry are health issues some of my dear friends are having. I have a friend who is struggling with chronic pain, and another who is dealing with a cancer diagnosis and impending surgery. My grandmother is suffering from dementia (and other old age ailments) and I have several other special people in my life who are dealing with terrible allergies and other sickness. "Life" is hitting others I love, too. My brother is taking 18 hours of coursework at Florida State this semester as he pursues two engineering degrees. I am so very proud of him, and I know he's working hard. That's a lot of stuff to handle!
I say all of this not to be dramatic and sound downtrodden. The Lord is teaching me lately to not focus on the "bad" or hard parts of life. Even when I feel defeated, I am often reminded that I am more than a conqueror! Whether facing death, persecution, sickness, struggles with school or finances or relationships, God is with me! As a Christ follower, I know I will triumph. I will have victory in the end. My Jesus wins!
I pray that if you are going through a difficult time (whether it's actually difficult, or if you are just having a pity party day like we all need every once in a while), you'll put things into perspective. Take a minute and realign your focus.
Romans 8:31-39 is an encouragement:
31 What then are we to say about these things?
If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He did not even spare His own Son
but offered Him up for us all;
how will He not also with Him grant us everything?
33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect?
God is the One who justifies.
34 Who is the one who condemns?
Christ Jesus is the One who died,
but even more, has been raised;
He also is at the right hand of God
and intercedes for us.
35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ?
Can affliction or anguish or persecution
or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written:
Because of You
we are being put to death all day long;
we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.
37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious
through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that not even death or life,
angels or rulers,
things present or things to come, hostile powers,
39 height or depth, or any other created thing
will have the power to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
(HCSB)
And if you read a little before that section, there is even more encouragement!
Well, as I close this short post, I have had life put into perspective again. Aaron Shust, an amazing award-winning Christian musician and artist was a guest worship leader at my church (First Baptist San Francisco) this past Sunday. Aaron's got a song called "My Hope is in You" that you may have heard if you listen to Christian radio. I've always liked it when I heard it on the radio or if it would pop up on my Pandora. But when he led us on Sunday singing this, some of the words really hit me. I am going to post a link to the song on YouTube with lyrics. Take a minute and watch and listen if you'd like some encouragement. No cancer, no sickness, no lack of money, no disease, no earthly relationship will keep me from having hope!
Find the My Hope is in You video here.
Be blessed, friends, and put your hope in Christ alone!
