Setting boundaries

It's funny to me how even the most ordinary days can have lessons tucked inside of them. I was literally sitting there today, thinking to myself, "Well this day is going to be hard to blog about", that's how boring it was. That amuses me. Even with today being so ordinary, though, I still learned something. And if I can make it stick, I know it will help me in college and beyond.

No one likes to be wrong. It's a horrible thing at the start. Often, when we're wrong, we end up learning from it and appreciating the mistake, but that doesn't mean it isn't hard to own. I, for one, know that when someone points out that I'm wrong, I usually get very quiet and refuse to look them in the eyes, afraid of either bursting out in tears or in anger. It upsets me when I'm less than perfect because I always thought that being right made things easier... just because someone is right doesn't make them better, it just allows for learning and growing. Besides, humans are creatures of habit. There are many many things I grew up knowing that weren't right or justified and, even now, I hate to have them challenged. Once they're pointed out to me and explained, it becomes my obligation to correct them in my life and to start anew. That's scary, in case you didn't know.

Some of the ways I function are all I've ever known. Even if it's not correct or "normal", it's normal to me. It seems fine to me because that's just the way things were. So when it's pointed out to me that something isn't normal or correct, I usually get upset because I realize how screwed up it is and how I have to change it. Change isn't easy, and humans will always look for the easy way out. Which, I think, is why faith can be so difficult to walk out. Humans are animals with instincts. And our survival instinct always tells us to make things as easy as possible. Faith isn't easy. Living it out is even harder than just having it in the first place. It takes constant diligence and awareness. It's hard work. And it's totally worth it.

What if you could have everything you ever needed? Well you can. God wants for us to be peaceful and still, but there are still reasons why this walk is compared so many times to physical activity in the scriptures. How hard is it for you to run a mile? How about five miles? Ten? That's what I thought... everyone gets worn out at some point. So it's a good thing that Jesus is the ultimate rejuvenator. You can run and run and run... as long as He lives in you, you'll always be able to keep going. Live to fight one more day. I can honestly say that's the only reason why I've made it this far and why I have hope for such an amazing future. Because an amazing God has the helm of my life. IS my life!

"Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying,"God has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me"? Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind." Isaiah 40:31 (Message)

"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" Hebrews 12:1-2 (Message)

"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it." Philippians 3:12-16 (Message)