In the morning, I wake up and get ready, worshiping God through the music in my headphones. I tell the Holy Spirit good morning. I make my breakfast, thanking God for what he’s given me to eat & then I go to morning devos with my squad. A time in the morning where for 30 minutes I get to praise God through music, reading his word, praying, and more. Throughout the day, in the good and the bad, the big and the small things, you may hear a “Thank you Jesus” from one of my squad mates or me. It’s important to be thankful in the present rather than after great things happen or after the negative turns out to be positive. God is always working and always has a plan for you because he loves and cares for you so trust him and be thankful always.
When I was really young, I met Jesus.
At my first year of youth camp, I learned that God was personal and wanted to have a relationship with me.
Then in my sophomore year of high school, when I joined Young Life, I learned that Jesus wanted to be my best friend, and that it’s possible to be best friends with him.
Now I live with him.
The beautiful thing about living with Jesus is that everyday you have a choice. You can either say “Christ, lead me” or you can say nothing at all and go with making your own decisions. I’ve come to the conclusion over time that God is way wiser and smarter than me, so now I try my best to choose him everyday. Although, with that I am human, and sometimes for some reason I think I can do this life on my own. SPOILER ALERT: I fail myself… Every time.
On the other hand, when I intentionally choose God, I can have peace that when any dark cloud settles over my day, there will be underlining yet overwhelming joy. Pure peace, joy, and the Holy Spirit to guide me. I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t want to choose God daily!!! (Not saying I’m perfect and choose him every second of every day but that’s what I’m striving towards) I’m getting better at leaning into him and not relying on my own understanding, but It’s not always easy.
Living with Jesus IS choosing him. When things happen, whether they’re good, bad, stressful, overwhelming, exciting, etc., God is who you turn to first. Living away from the comforts of my home, naturally I’ve began turning to the Lord for every little thing. I talk to him about everything.. and he responds. Sometimes when I go to him I don’t have to say anything at all. I just close my eyes, sit still or lay down, and feel his presence. I know he’s there and I just listen. When I do this I usually feel like I’m laying my head in his lap. His comfort is like no other and I could live in it forever. When I leave the race in a little over 7 months, I will still be living with Jesus. He never ever leaves your side so wherever you are in the world, you can live with him too. He wants so badly to be included in every part of our days. We just need to allow him to be.
My favorite thing about living with Jesus is that he’s full of surprises. Everyday and almost every time I spend intentional, quiet, alone time with him, he reveals a new side of his face to me.
He leaves me breathless and in awe of his beauty. He brings me pure astonishment and joy in his presence. He gives me a place to rest my head. He leads me in a direction of constant growth. He speaks to me as a friend, father, husband, and more. My God is loving, compassionate, humorous, exciting, beautiful, kind, relaxing, wise, talkative, available, and so so so much more.
I love living with him. I never want to move out. Thank you God.
