Worthy to be Celebrated

My sophomore year at the University of Montana is now well underway and according to tradition it is time for yet another blog concerning the journey that I am on. Lately I have been super involved in with a campus ministry called Chi Alpha. Last year I had the opportunity to go to a couple of events, and each time I was always accepted and welcomed with open arms. This group of people always had so much love and it made me want to be around them all the time, but sadly, schedule had never allowed me to do so. This year however is different. I have made it a priority to be involved with Chi Alpha and it is already well worth my intent. This group has been an answer to my prayers in more ways than one. The second time I went to their weekly gathering called "Pursuit," one of the girls asked me if I would be willing to host a bible study in my dorm room. I have a bigger room this year with a common space/ living room area which is perfect for hosting a group of people for a bible study and my room mates have been more than gracious! The request was an answer to my prayers in seeking ways to reach out to the girls within my dorm and making an impact here on campus.



This past Monday we had our second week of this bible study and I am already finding a major connection with so many of the girls that have been joining us, and that too is an answer to prayer in the fact that I have been longing for a family and a sisterhood. Someone that understands me and my beliefs, someone that has my back with the challenges that I know I'm gonna face with life. Last year was hard in so many ways feeling like I was surrounded by a spiritual darkness here on campus and having very little encouragement or support in the battles that I was facing. I have my church, but more often than not I find I am giving out encouragement and support more then I am receiving it.

This week I had coffee with my friend Cynnimin, who had shared with me her struggles of feeling like a freak even within her own family. I know this struggles all to well myself, but that reminded me of the encouragement my friend Steven shared with me the Summer after my Senior year of high school when I shared with him this constant feeling of not feeling like I belonged, no matter where I went! I'll never forget what he said. "That's because you don't belong. Anywhere. You have been set apart by God for something far better than you can comprehend and until you find out what that is, nothing else will seem to fit or be good enough." I shared this encouragement with Cynnimin  along with a new perspective of God's heart toward her. It also reminded me that God feels that way about me- about all of us! 2 Corinthians 4: 7 says, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." He has not chosen us, but created us, as precious gems that he has set aside, preparing us for that crown of purpose for which we occupy our role, to shine gloriously in His love and His beauty.

All that being said, This is a new season, filled with new opportunities. I can already feel a spiritual shift in the environment of this school and am fully anticipating this year will be the best one yet! I am believing for changed lives and a revival generation stirring up! At the end of last semester I was talking to my Spiritual dad, Jason about this quote that I had read earlier that day... the quote read,

"Go where you are adored, not where you are ignored;

to the place where you are celebrated, not tolerated."

 -Joseph Simmons 

I struggled with that then. I asked Jason how I could be celebrated for who I am when everywhere I went it felt the opposite. He told me this simple yet profound wisdom. "Learn to celebrate others and even to celebrate myself... you do this by letting God celebrate you in your times of solitude with Him, and learning to find the gold inside of others and drawing that out and loving them, celebrating each and every bit of potential that God has placed within them, and you." Jason has been one of the best examples of this that I have ever seen, and after learning much about the art of celebrating the people as God had intended...

I am finding a place where I am celebrated, and yes, even adored for who I am. Not just what I can do... but my personality, my gifts, my passions... my heart. Which is huge. Praise God I have found this group, this family. a little taste of my heavenly home! <3>