Today is my 25th birthday, and although I love birthdays, I'm freaking out a little bit! I'm halfway through my twenties; I've lived through a fourth of a century! I think I'm having a quarter-life crisis. I've seen and done some pretty awesome things in my 25 years, but I feel like there are a million more things I want to do before I get too old! So for my birthday this year, I am going to make a "30 before 30" list. Not that 30 is old, of course (oh em gee, 30 is so old); I just don't think I can come up with enough ideas to make a "40 before 40" list (and I don't want to think about ever turning 40). So here goes: thirty things I want to accomplish before I turn thirty - in no particular order.
Rachel's 30 Before 30 List!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Significance and Integrity
Last weekend I had the joy of working a young adult Chrysalis journey at Camp Sumatanga. I had an even greater joy of sponsoring three of my very good friends to come on the journey. It was an amazing weekend filled with so much agape love that it was hard to take it all in. I love serving on a Chrysalis because I get to use all of my gifts to love people. I came home on Sunday on such a "Jesus high," and I never wanted it to go away.
Unfortunately, the world intruded much sooner than I expected when my mom told me that her uncle had passed away over the weekend. Even though he was 89 years old and has been pretty sick for a long time, the passing of a loved one is never easy to take. And Uncle Bob was certainly loved, by my family and many others. If you want to read his obituary, go here. Chances are you won't read it all the way because it's so darn long! You see, my Uncle Bob was an amazing person. At his funeral there were many people that spoke of his military service, his long career in the US Social Security System (he was the Deputy Commissioner, the highest non-elected office in Social Security), and the numerous awards he received for all kinds of things. A colleague of his said that he was a "true American." He was an extreme volunteer; there is even an award that bears his name (from the UAB Center for Aging). But to me, the highest praise was when his stepson, Tim, got up and talked about Bob's love for his stepchildren and grandchildren, people who weren't related to him by blood but that he loved with his whole heart. He was known to stand up in the middle of a meeting or church service and loudly proclaim that he had the best grandchildren in the world! He loved God, and he showered that love on every person he met. Tim put into words what the rest of us couldn't; Uncle Bob was "successful" in every sense of the word, but that wasn't the whole story. Bob Bynum wasn't just successful, he was significant. He touched every life he came into contact with in a positive, lasting way.
As I reflected on Uncle Bob's story over the course of this week, I wondered how I could change my focus from living a "successful" life to living a "significant" life. In the small group that I attend every Thursday night, we learned that God calls every person to His mission, to share the love of Jesus Christ. In order to do that, I will need the integrity of a follower of Christ. To have integrity I have to know who I am, what I stand for, and what I have to do to fulfill my mission. That is how I can live a significant life. That is one thing that can change a story of ambition, prestige, and greed into a story of love, friendship and grace like my Uncle Bob's.
Isn't it amazing when God answers your questions even when you don't ask them out loud?
Unfortunately, the world intruded much sooner than I expected when my mom told me that her uncle had passed away over the weekend. Even though he was 89 years old and has been pretty sick for a long time, the passing of a loved one is never easy to take. And Uncle Bob was certainly loved, by my family and many others. If you want to read his obituary, go here. Chances are you won't read it all the way because it's so darn long! You see, my Uncle Bob was an amazing person. At his funeral there were many people that spoke of his military service, his long career in the US Social Security System (he was the Deputy Commissioner, the highest non-elected office in Social Security), and the numerous awards he received for all kinds of things. A colleague of his said that he was a "true American." He was an extreme volunteer; there is even an award that bears his name (from the UAB Center for Aging). But to me, the highest praise was when his stepson, Tim, got up and talked about Bob's love for his stepchildren and grandchildren, people who weren't related to him by blood but that he loved with his whole heart. He was known to stand up in the middle of a meeting or church service and loudly proclaim that he had the best grandchildren in the world! He loved God, and he showered that love on every person he met. Tim put into words what the rest of us couldn't; Uncle Bob was "successful" in every sense of the word, but that wasn't the whole story. Bob Bynum wasn't just successful, he was significant. He touched every life he came into contact with in a positive, lasting way.
As I reflected on Uncle Bob's story over the course of this week, I wondered how I could change my focus from living a "successful" life to living a "significant" life. In the small group that I attend every Thursday night, we learned that God calls every person to His mission, to share the love of Jesus Christ. In order to do that, I will need the integrity of a follower of Christ. To have integrity I have to know who I am, what I stand for, and what I have to do to fulfill my mission. That is how I can live a significant life. That is one thing that can change a story of ambition, prestige, and greed into a story of love, friendship and grace like my Uncle Bob's.
Isn't it amazing when God answers your questions even when you don't ask them out loud?
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Parenthetical Excitement!
I watched some of Ellen DeGeneres' old stand-up comedy tonight instead of watching the first half of the Auburn game. Don't judge me (or do, it's ok). One of her jokes was about how we have been trained by society to think that we all have some sort of disorder like ADD when we are, in her opinion, really just too lazy to pay attention (I would tell you the exact joke, but to be honest I wasn't paying much attention). She said that people are always trying to convince us that something is wrong with us. "Are you tired? Do you feel depressed? Are you stressed?" Her answer? Of course! I'm alive, aren't I?
I thought about writing a post dissecting that joke to find some deeper meaning about life in general. Something like "should life really make us feel tired, depressed and stressed?" Probably with some sweet Jesus-action thrown in. But then I decided that I didn't want to write that post. I'm too tired, depressed and stressed. My brain is too busy thinking about the (very rewarding) work I have to do tomorrow at church, the (really fun) road trip I'm taking tomorrow night through Tuesday, and the (totally amazing) Chrysalis weekend I'm working next week. I have to remind myself to stick those parentheses into that sentence, otherwise my thoughts will turn into ohmygoshihaven'tmadesignsforthebulletinboardsorcopiesforkids'churchordonelaundryforthetripormadeagapeorgottenallthelettersinortakenabreathinlikethirtyseconds!!!!!!
What would happen if I didn't insert those bold parentheses? Those reminders are all that stands between me and the loony bin. If I forget to notice the good things in life, everything will just run together like my mascara did this afternoon at Chrysalis commissioning (the smell of a perfectly mixed anointing oil on my forehead always gets to me)! So I have to remember to stop and smell the roses, or, during this time of year, stop and smell the leaves dying. Gosh, that sounds morbid.
Friday, September 24, 2010
I really shouldn't stay up this late...
I spent most of my night watching YouTube videos. I was trying to quell the shouting inside me, to calm my heart's anxiety. If I can just make myself giggle at a stupid movie preview, I won't have to think about all the things I don't understand. If I can watch cute guys smirking at the camera every time they tell a joke, I don't have to wonder if I'll ever find someone. When I spend my time wondering if anyone has updated their Facebook status since the last time I checked it 30 seconds ago, I don't have to learn how to have real relationships without being afraid of baring too much of my fragile heart. I don't have to beat myself up about my mistakes and limitations. I don't have to be frustrated that the church as a whole seems to not "get" Jesus. I don't have to wonder about my place in a world that doesn't care about the hungry, the poor or the beaten down. When I fill my mind with flashy videos and blaring music I don't have to think, or wonder, or hurt.
Until the computer shuts down.
When the screen goes blank, I lie in the darkness. I think, I wonder, and I hurt for myself and the world. Then, out of that same black night comes a reminder. "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God." Then I think about my peers who go hang out under the bridge with their homeless friends every Friday. I think of my loved ones who love me back, no matter how confused and awkward I am. I remember my preschoolers who tell me I'm pretty and genuinely mean it (they haven't yet learned the art of the little white lie). I consider people and groups who work very hard for equality for those whom Jesus would call "the least of these." And I know that my future in this world is a guaranteed success as long as I listen to my ever-present companion. It may not be the popular definition of success, but it will be the right one. And it will be good.
Nighty night!
Until the computer shuts down.
When the screen goes blank, I lie in the darkness. I think, I wonder, and I hurt for myself and the world. Then, out of that same black night comes a reminder. "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God." Then I think about my peers who go hang out under the bridge with their homeless friends every Friday. I think of my loved ones who love me back, no matter how confused and awkward I am. I remember my preschoolers who tell me I'm pretty and genuinely mean it (they haven't yet learned the art of the little white lie). I consider people and groups who work very hard for equality for those whom Jesus would call "the least of these." And I know that my future in this world is a guaranteed success as long as I listen to my ever-present companion. It may not be the popular definition of success, but it will be the right one. And it will be good.
Nighty night!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
An "Almost Christian"
I just read a sermon by John Wesley that tells about the difference between an "almost Christian" and an "altogether Christian." You can read it too, here, or you can just read my summary. Well, really you don't have to do either, but it might be interesting so what do you have to lose?
According to Wesley, almost Christians have some things in common. I'm paraphrasing, of course.
1. They have moral standards that fit with the culture
2. They have the outside appearance of being a godly person; for example, they go to church, tithe, help the poor, volunteer at church, don't drink, smoke, cuss, gamble, or have sex outside marriage. In other words, they do all of those things that people associate with being a "good Christian."
3. They are sincere. They actually think that they are good Christians because they do all of the things that they are supposed to, that the Bible tells us to do.
Now, this person appears on the outside to be a good Christian. What is the difference between him and someone that Wesley would call an altogether Christian? Well, it's not something that you or I can see from the outside. It's an inner quality that is totally between the person and God.
An altogether Christian:
1. Loves God
2. Loves people
3. Has faith that God loves us and forgives us of our sins
This may seem like a small difference on the outside, but in a person's heart this means everything. These three things are what separates an "almost Christian" from an "altogether Christian." Do you know which one you are? In your heart of hearts, do you have this love and faith inside you, guiding your every move? If you don't, then you are not really who you claim to be. I wonder how many almost Christians we see in our churches every day? Only God knows.
According to Wesley, almost Christians have some things in common. I'm paraphrasing, of course.
1. They have moral standards that fit with the culture
2. They have the outside appearance of being a godly person; for example, they go to church, tithe, help the poor, volunteer at church, don't drink, smoke, cuss, gamble, or have sex outside marriage. In other words, they do all of those things that people associate with being a "good Christian."
3. They are sincere. They actually think that they are good Christians because they do all of the things that they are supposed to, that the Bible tells us to do.
Now, this person appears on the outside to be a good Christian. What is the difference between him and someone that Wesley would call an altogether Christian? Well, it's not something that you or I can see from the outside. It's an inner quality that is totally between the person and God.
An altogether Christian:
1. Loves God
2. Loves people
3. Has faith that God loves us and forgives us of our sins
This may seem like a small difference on the outside, but in a person's heart this means everything. These three things are what separates an "almost Christian" from an "altogether Christian." Do you know which one you are? In your heart of hearts, do you have this love and faith inside you, guiding your every move? If you don't, then you are not really who you claim to be. I wonder how many almost Christians we see in our churches every day? Only God knows.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Gratitude is the Sign of a Changed Heart
"Gratitude is the sign of a changed heart." That was the thought for the day on today's Upper Room devotional. We talk about being grateful fairly often in the church - not just at Thanksgiving. We talk about being thankful in the face of adversity and when things are going right, when we are lonely and when we are happier than we have ever been. But most of the time, when we talk about gratitude, it is in spite of our circumstances. We try to get around our troubles by counting our blessings and thanking God for them. But do we ever think that maybe we should be thanking God for our troubles and pains?
This summer I had the joy and privilege of working for Urban Ministry in Birmingham. I took youth groups around the West End and painted houses for people who were in need. I met so many people there who had less material possessions than I but way more faith. They praised God in all that they did. Ms. Vera was one lady in particular who inspired me. She wasn't even one of our homeowners who we were helping. She called out to us from her house down the street, so I walked down with one of the youth chaperones to talk to her. She lived alone in a house that had been her grandparents'. She told us that her calling in life was to take care of other people. She had nursed everyone in her family who was failing in health. She took care of her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles until they "passed on." Now that most of her family was gone - she had no children - Ms. Vera was left alone with no one to care for her in her later days. She started telling us about her health problems, one at a time, going (unnecessarily, I thought) into a lot of detail about her conditions. I was prepared to sympathize and tell her that God was with her, but before I could say a word, I realized that this wouldn't be necessary. Every time Ms. Vera told us about another health problem she was going through, she said "thank you Jesus, I'm so blessed." In the same breath as her statement of pain, she showed gratitude and praised the Lord. How many of us can say that about ourselves?
Life is not always fun. But God is always good. And thanking God should not be an afterthought; instead, it should be something that we do with every thought and action, in good times and in bad.
Thanks, God, for being. Amen.
This summer I had the joy and privilege of working for Urban Ministry in Birmingham. I took youth groups around the West End and painted houses for people who were in need. I met so many people there who had less material possessions than I but way more faith. They praised God in all that they did. Ms. Vera was one lady in particular who inspired me. She wasn't even one of our homeowners who we were helping. She called out to us from her house down the street, so I walked down with one of the youth chaperones to talk to her. She lived alone in a house that had been her grandparents'. She told us that her calling in life was to take care of other people. She had nursed everyone in her family who was failing in health. She took care of her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles until they "passed on." Now that most of her family was gone - she had no children - Ms. Vera was left alone with no one to care for her in her later days. She started telling us about her health problems, one at a time, going (unnecessarily, I thought) into a lot of detail about her conditions. I was prepared to sympathize and tell her that God was with her, but before I could say a word, I realized that this wouldn't be necessary. Every time Ms. Vera told us about another health problem she was going through, she said "thank you Jesus, I'm so blessed." In the same breath as her statement of pain, she showed gratitude and praised the Lord. How many of us can say that about ourselves?
Life is not always fun. But God is always good. And thanking God should not be an afterthought; instead, it should be something that we do with every thought and action, in good times and in bad.
Thanks, God, for being. Amen.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Soon and very soon...
...I am going to post about my summer at Urban Ministry and my new job! But not right now. Have a super happy day!
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