I'M GRADUATING!!!! Oh my gosh it feels so good to finally say it. For the longest time I was debating whether or not I would be able to graduate in December, but it's really happening. I have been waiting for this since I was a little girl. I never thought in a million years I would be graduating college, let alone a semester early. As I come to the end of this season and move into the next, I can't help but look back on my the last few years and sigh. It has been the craziest years of my life, but I wouldn't trade any of it. There was a time That I thought I wouldn't graduate and try to figure our what I would do then. Yet, here I am.
It is a crazy time and I find myself so grateful for the season to come. 2016 has been a crazy year, a crazy ride, but it's almost done, and time to celebrate. 7 Days in counting, I don't think it has hit me yet, but I am excited to what God has in store. One thing i'm not excited for is everyone asking What are you going to do when you graduate? I know everyone means well, but I don't know yet. When I find out, I will let everyone know, but until then, let it unfold. The Lord has been working with me on making sure that I am taking life one step at a time instead of trying to figure it out all at once, and this step is graduating. After that, well see where he takes me. My life is a rollercoaster, I never thought that at twenty-one I would have traveled to Europe twice, an intern for an awesome church, and graduating with my bachelors. I have felt nothing but anxiety for the past few years, and stepping into this season I have felt I needed to find peace. Nothing in my life is changing, it's still crazy, but my perspective is changing. I'm finding that peace within the storm. Life is good, God is good, and I'm ready for what he has coming next.
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Today was day two of the ARC conference (Association of Related Churches). They had speakers from all kinds of churches. From Jim Reeves, to Christine Caine, Jesse Lusko, Casey Treat, Shaun Nepstad, and so many more. So many names to be dropped!
The best part about it, was that it was hosted by our church. Eastside, (where I am currently am intern) had the pleasure of hosting ARC. Working with their kids department I knew they were coming. I had to clear out my classroom on Sunday to make room for the breakout sessions. I knew they were coming, but I didn't look into it to see who would be there. When I came to the office to start getting some work done, I was speaking with a friend by the copier. As I started talking about where everyone was at she said "They are at ARC waiting for Christine Caine." To those who know me, know that I am deeply in love with that woman's preaching. I mean come on, she's an English major. She is amazing and I have been dying to meet her. Sadly I didn't get to meet her (again). I was stunned and was trying to find out how I could be apart of it. We had the opportunity to go if we registered through the church, but I wasn't planning on going. In the end I text my friend and she said I could have her wristband. I got it and headed over as soon as possible. I walked in and found my friend Gabby sitting, listening intently, I walked over to her and we sat and listened. I was amazed by her words. She talked about a lot of things while I was sitting there. One thing that she said that caught my attention was that she said Remember Lot's Wife. She was referring to Lot in the bible. His wife was turned into a pillar of salt because she disobeyed God and looked back to the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. She was longing to be back there, her home. What Christine meant by this, was to remember what happened to her. She was reminding us, because that is what happens when you're so focused on the past. In order to receive your future, and everything God has for you, you need to Detach from the past so you can grab ahold of your future. My own life has been spent on looking to what is behind me, remembering what once was. It is hard to let go of the past when the past is all you have. The good times, the memories, they made me who I am, I couldn't ever let that go. The people I knew, the places I went to school, where I grew up. Each step, every place, every person, is apart of me. But I'm no longer there. I can't let the past define me, good or bad. I need to let God define me, and model my future. I was only able to hear her speak for a short amount of time, but I am stronger because of it. You can't get to the next chapter if you keep going back to read the same page. I don't know about you, but I'm ready to what God has in store. For those who are involved with the Christian world know who Chad Veach is. Those who know of people like Kim Kardashian, Gigi Hadid, and Rich Wilkerson Jr. will also know who he is. Chad is the pastor of Zoe Church LA. Over the years he has spoken at many different churches and at many different events.
Last week he spoke at #ARC16OC and taught on What Every Pastor Wants from Their Staff. Sadly, I was not able to hear him speak due to a staff meeting I was in. However, when walking over to our church's Student Center at Eastside Christian Church, we crossed paths. I stopped him for a second and said hello and introduced myself. I have heard him speak before at the Rock Church in Anaheim, but never had the chance to talk to him. I asked if I could take a picture with him, he said yes. Before he left I asked him something that I have wondered for a long time. Watching his interactions on social media, through Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, etc. I noticed something about him. He gets to spend time with a lot of A-List celebrities and is involved in the world of those like the Kardashians and such. In his Snaps, I have heard him listening and singing along to the music of that like Drake or Kanye West. Baffled by this, I thought "How could a pastor listen to worldly music?" Coming from a strict Christian background I grew up only listening to Christian music. I know now that listening to "Secular Music" doesn't mean I'm going to hell, but I also know that there is some music I should not put into my ears. I know that "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). So whatever is being put into my eyes and ears will go down into my heart. So out of my own protection, I personally do not listen to certain types of music. Although, for many years I found myself driven to listening to vulgar rap music for several years. After sometime I knew I needed to stop, and after spending more time in prayer and the word I ended up stopping. I look up to Chad, and for a time I didn't understand how he could listen to music like this. So I had to ask "Where do you draw the line at music? " He replied, "I know people see me with a lot of celebrities, and I am also a man of God. I find myself enjoying certain type of music, but I will not listen to stuff like Drake that is unedited." I asked him then, "So this a personal decision, but what would you say to those who are seeing your Snaps and stuff and wondering where to draw the line?" To this he said "It is between you and God ultimately, whatever you feel is right for you, do that. Do not compare your walk to others." This answer put me at ease somewhat. I know the way I should live, because I have been taught these things. For those who don't know where to draw the line, it can't be determined by myself or by anyone else. I personally stay away from rap/ hip hop entirely, because I don't feel good after listening to it. Ultimately, you would just need to pray and seek God and ask him what is best for you. |
AuthorReggie is a college gradute with a degree in English. She loves traveling and hopes to one day stay on the battle field for missions. Life is a book and everyday is an adventure, follow her on this journey and see the world through her eyes. Archives
November 2017
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