Post #2

What's been going on recently?

• I am writing this in the best coffee shop I have tried so far located in Oak Cliff. They have fresh pastries and the best scone I have ever tasted. I also had a sourdough cinnamon roll that was righteous.
• I joined a small group through upperroom recently. I've only been able to go once so far but it was solid and another way to meet people 
• Jack had the idea of starting a FaceTime Bible study with some of our friend's back home and that has been an amazing way to stay connected with them on a regular basis and create a space for intentional friendship.
• I was invited by one of the guys in my Northway small group to play in a scramble golf tournament in a few weeks so I am looking forward to that
• I just moved to a new Airbnb in the Addison area which is a studio apartment and definitely the best Airbnb experience since I've lived in Texas. 
• It has been super cold again in the 20's this past week and the cold really freaking sucks
• I still miss Arizona and I plan on visiting AZ the weekend of March 21st 

What have I been learning from God?

Thing #1

            I spent the day at upperroom last week and I felt like the Lord put this question on my heart - "Have I truly given God access to myself?" I often thank God for the access I have been given through the death and resurrection of Jesus. But have I truly responded to this reality in my own death as well? I initially wanted to write much more about this but I felt like it was straying away from the core of what God put on my heart - to simply examine myself and truly follow Jesus into death so that I can have open ears to the Lord and the capacity to actually receive Him. 

Thing #2 

            I was reading 2 Peter 1:3-10 and meditating specifically on verse 10 where it says to be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election. Again in chapter 3 verse 14, Peter says to be diligent to be found by the Lord. The word "diligent" really stuck out to me, and made me ask myself what things have captured my diligence? Have I elevated anything above the Lord in my pursuits? I don't want to be found by Jesus with mere complacent belief that He is God, not having been invigorated enough to actually offer him a devoted life. 

Thing #3

            This also made me think of the parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. All 10 people were waiting for the bridegroom, but only 5 came prepared with the oil. Similarly, I don't want to be like one of the fools who pursued the bridegroom half-heartedly and were not prepared in the midst of their waiting. Jesus ultimately tells those individuals that he never knew them. 

            I know we don't need to reach perfection and there isn't a minimum threshold of spiritual merit we need to be saved. But there is a sort of call-to-action that necessarily occurs as the result of repenting from our former manner of life and stepping into our new life as the product of Christ's workmanship. There are areas in my own life that need to be surrendered, re-surrendered, and surrendered again. As long as we are tied to our flesh, there will be a constant need to remain diligent in crucifying the flesh along with its passions and desires day-by-day.