Yep, that's right! I like to be in control of my life! I like to do everything my way, in my time, through my lens. I can do it. If I can't, I'm not being good enough. Yes, this is the lie I have told myself for years! I admit it! It was in a conversation once I arrived at Covenant Presbyterian church two years ago that a parent stopped by my office to introduce herself. As she entered my office, she encountered a young lady in tears - ME! imagine that too! She encountered tears of a young lady who had realized she wasn't in control. I had faced a conversation I didn't know how to fix just moments before with a precious youth. Yet through the words of a parent just coming by to say hello - she challenged me and gave me a perspective I had been ignored before - I am not in control of anything! God is! This summer so far I have been reminded of a brief holy conversation I had with a parent her words "all that simple, yet all that hard" - "Neeley you aren't in control, God is". I have rested in that good news the past three weeks! From getting sick in Yucatan and not being able to lead to longing for lost friendships to be renewed - I have to turn to God because God is in control of our every day, our relationships, our callings, Jesus as mediator and Spirit as guide - God is in control! This week in Montreat at a Montreat Youth conference the theme was "Searching for a Signal". What I gained from the privilege of participating in a week of keynote, worship, conversations, song, and of course energizers - I would like to share through my journal reflections. These reflections re centered my outlook on life - like all of us need so often - that we are given this precious life to live in God's grace, with God as the light to lead the way through Jesus Christ.
Have you ever known exactly where you are yet felt so lost?
Have you ever been in the midst of community and felt alone?
What is a story of yours with the experience of being found?
"The incarnation is God's signal of God's love searching for us!"
View life not through your lens - but through the eyes of God.
What are moments in your life when the brief moment seems to last forever?
"Sometimes you have to let go of one thing to embrace another."
Discernment is faithful.
Why waste time on those things that are not "life-giving"?
"Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected, it is well to pay closest attention - for more often that not, God is summoning where you should go next."
Evangelism is the work of telling a different story, different from the world we live in.
Always speak with Conviction!
So we are called to take time out to reflect, to discern, to remind ourselves we are not in control! Thanks be to God!
Some pics from Yucatan and Montreat!
The fearless leaders in Mexil, Yucatan - Mexico
No running water, no electricity = this is our shower!
precious children of Mexil helping us mix concrete for a roof!
Our nativity scene in Montreat!
Picnic in Montreat with Chandler!
Three of our group of 11! Yay Covenant at Montreat!
