If that blog title didn't get you to read this then I don't know what will :)
You guys, I've been feeling so amazing lately. Things just keep falling into place, whether that's getting an A on my history exam or understanding the message of Jesus better, it's all happening right now. God is working so fast and so miraculously all around me and to those around me. This weekend was one of the most beautiful ones Portland has seen in a while, and it made me remember how thankful I am for sunshine and just being able to experience nature all around me, and with the people I love most!
The point of this blog post is to share a verse that I may want to tattoo on my foot when I become an independent and liberated women on my 18th birthday (sarcasm). My mom, who is my biggest role model, showed me this verse the other day. Funny how, even though I've heard it before, it means so much more to me now that I heard it from my mom and she explained her reasoning behind why she loves it so much. It was like a lightbulb exploded in my head.
Micah6:6-8
With what shall I come before the LORD
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
and that's what it means to be a "Christian." That's what it means to have Jesus in your heart. He wants us AS we are NOW! Despite all the muddy issues in our lives. Jesus gave us the most precious gift anyone could have ever given. The reaction his earliest followers had to his death is huge. They didn't bow there heads in defeat, give up, say "oh well, hopefully the next prophet/messiah will come along soon.." NO. They were so grateful for Jesus, loved him so much, that they, with the holy spirit inside of them, set off to spread the love of Jesus through out the world. They weren't sent from a religious man to spread the word of a religious doctrine to get people to convert to their beliefs. That's missing the point, and that's not what the raw truth of what being with Jesus means. Jesus's earliest followers literally were talking about the amazing things that their loving and kind Jesus did, so that others might feel and experience this type of love and sacrifice. Jesus's death was and is the ultimate expression of love! His followers wanted people to see this, to understand that Jesus already won the battle. We just have to keep loving one another and treating each other as brother and sister in unity from Jesus.
I'm totally ranting now.....let's just say I had a very inspiring weekend and I wanted to share that with you. Thank you so much for reading this always slightly unorganized post. Have a great week everyone!
