I went for a run this morning. I love the peace that engulfs the atmosphere, as if all of creation is eager with quiet anticipation for a new day. With the rising sun comes a living promise that God's mercies are new for this day; hope permeates my being as light penetrates the newly awakened world.
I'm learning how to rest in God.
I'm learning how to live in the present and live one day at a time.
As I daily fill my soul with truth and experience the fellowship that comes from conversing with the Living God, I'm coming to truly believe and live that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He'll do! Such rest and peace comes from trusting God. I'm daily blessed and thankful for the ways that His character is displayed in my life-- from divine encounters with people to a $25 Walmart card that some kind unknown person left in my wallet to toothless baby smiles from a little girl accross the counter at Mugz. God sure does know how to care for me. :) What a relief to know that not only do I not have to clutter my mind with obsessive thoughts about what I'm going to do during the day and how I'm going to do it, etc., etc. but I'm COMMANDED not to! I tell Jesus my worries instead and let thanksgiving well up in my heart.
"trust and obey...there is no other way."
That about sums up the current aspiring life of McKenzie Conn.
May you all enjoy the rest, peace and joy that comes from our Father who knows what we need!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Faith
It seems like everyday I'm hit more with the realization that life is hard. But with every revelation of difficulty, the Holy Spirit is right there to present hope, to offer grace, to paint a picture for me of what matters, of what is true.
I was talking the other day with my boyfriend, Jeff about how as I go about the day, doing the different things required, my soul will get hit with a disatisfaction... there's something more. I realized that these times of discontent happen when I lost my focus from Jesus and am not remaining in him. Jeff and I were talking about our ways of trying to remind ourselves to abide in God and stay in constant communion with Him throughout the day...and we both felt frustrated with the results! Things become commonplace so easily; routines and plans lose their true meaning as I just go through the motions.
Why is it so hard, we wondered?
Then I realized that it's about f a i t h.
And the grain of our culture is so totally opposite of faith. We live in a realm saturated with instant gratification, materialism and all sorts of ways to meet our every whim, desire and need right NOW. On top of that, we are so full of visual messages- we can see, touch, feel everythign. But faith means wait... faith means believing in what we cannot see. Faith REQUIRES patience, waiting, persevering, trusting, standing firm, delayed gratification.
It was cool because after I hung up with Jeff, I just so happened to be in Hebrews 11 for my Bible reading plan. :) I'm not exactly sure what it's going to look like, living by faith, but I'm chewing on Hebrews and I'm thankful for the constant presence of my good friend, the Holy Spirit. I love learning, so I'm so glad He likes to teach me all throughout the day!
So there's some throughts for the day. :)
On another note, I did indeed get a job at a coffee shop, called Mugz. I love it! It's fast-paced, efficient, and customer oriented. I'm still learning the ropes, but I love my co-workers and manager and am so blessed by how God set it all up for me!
Other than working, I've been renovating my room (which will be the guest room when I leave), keeping in touch with friends and my boyfriend (we're two weeks into four months apart! God's been teaching us a whole lot, so though I miss him, I'm thankful for this time), and spending time with family and being involved at Christ Chapel. I sent out an update letter this week, so I hope you enjoy it! I'll keep you posted on further developments. :)
Much love, and may God empower you to walk by faith and not by sight today!
I was talking the other day with my boyfriend, Jeff about how as I go about the day, doing the different things required, my soul will get hit with a disatisfaction... there's something more. I realized that these times of discontent happen when I lost my focus from Jesus and am not remaining in him. Jeff and I were talking about our ways of trying to remind ourselves to abide in God and stay in constant communion with Him throughout the day...and we both felt frustrated with the results! Things become commonplace so easily; routines and plans lose their true meaning as I just go through the motions.
Why is it so hard, we wondered?
Then I realized that it's about f a i t h.
And the grain of our culture is so totally opposite of faith. We live in a realm saturated with instant gratification, materialism and all sorts of ways to meet our every whim, desire and need right NOW. On top of that, we are so full of visual messages- we can see, touch, feel everythign. But faith means wait... faith means believing in what we cannot see. Faith REQUIRES patience, waiting, persevering, trusting, standing firm, delayed gratification.
It was cool because after I hung up with Jeff, I just so happened to be in Hebrews 11 for my Bible reading plan. :) I'm not exactly sure what it's going to look like, living by faith, but I'm chewing on Hebrews and I'm thankful for the constant presence of my good friend, the Holy Spirit. I love learning, so I'm so glad He likes to teach me all throughout the day!
So there's some throughts for the day. :)
On another note, I did indeed get a job at a coffee shop, called Mugz. I love it! It's fast-paced, efficient, and customer oriented. I'm still learning the ropes, but I love my co-workers and manager and am so blessed by how God set it all up for me!
Other than working, I've been renovating my room (which will be the guest room when I leave), keeping in touch with friends and my boyfriend (we're two weeks into four months apart! God's been teaching us a whole lot, so though I miss him, I'm thankful for this time), and spending time with family and being involved at Christ Chapel. I sent out an update letter this week, so I hope you enjoy it! I'll keep you posted on further developments. :)
Much love, and may God empower you to walk by faith and not by sight today!
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