Friendship isn't Easy

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Friendships never remain static; even for how well we think we many know each other. And the changing dynamics can be hard to deal with. Growing up was never supposed to be easy, or necessarily fun. Change happens, so how do we remain strong, anchored, or whatever it is that we’re supposed to be? Change in a friendship could have to do with schedule changes or a conflict of interests. As the friendship changes, one or both of these people may be re-evaluating just how healthy this friendship is. But, at this point, it’s already too late. Attachment and dependency has formed. In trying to take a step back, the tug-o-war has begun. The person attempts to get the friendship back to where it was, but is trying to redefine it at the same time. So on the one hand, they will communicate the changes they need to make, but on the other, their actions say that they want it to be the same as it always was. For the friendship to workout the person must decide which direction they want it to go, follow through on that, and then be willing to accept that it might just not go according to plan. The biggest thing is to address it when it starts to happen. Be honest, be open, be vulnerable. Believe me, it’s way the heck harder than it sounds.

This is exactly the type of situation where a person will try so hard to keep a grasp on what’s going on, but the tighter they grasp, the quicker it seems to get out of hand. Here is where we all the sudden remember that God can help us handle the issue. But we’ve already done the damage. Not always just to the other person, but to also to ourselves. So now what? Start over, ask God for an iron will, and pray for healing before it happens again.

Ephesians 4 and Colossians 3:12-14 lays out some things pretty well. Striving for the things laid here will help out any friendship. 

Elijah

Life seems to take over everything. And I mean life in the sense of decisions, relationships, our work... any external interaction. I do not think of life as having a negative connotation. Life is... life is everything to us. It's an all encompassing word that expresses vitality, excitement, possibility, grandeur. But, it's also the blanket term for the tedious daily tasks, the struggles, everything that's outside of our control (and yet still, somehow, controlling us).
Facing my last semester of college, I look back and see how far I come. The first semester of dealing with life changes and becoming victorious over depression worse than I'd ever known, to now... having learned so much more about who God is, and what He is in me. I have discovered my calling, stepped forward in it, and learned what Kingdom work really is. And I have so much left to learn. I have my whole life ahead of me. Sorry for the cliche, but it's true. I've lived probably less than a third of my life. There's a ways to go.
I was reading 1 Kings 17 tonight, thinking about Elijah and what he went through on his journey working for the kingdom. God had a specific calling on his life. He was obedient and followed it. He even sat by the brook of Cherith, being fed by the Ravens. It may have been easier making that decision, knowing it was for his safety from Ahab. But, he was fully trusting of God and did as he was told. What a difference it would make if we just did what we were told. I am challenged by Elijah. I believe there will be a desert time in my life soon. It's not an exciting thought, and it's not a welcoming thought. But, seeing how God cared for Elijah, I am reminded that God will provide. That's a given, but here's what's more... It will test my faith, save me from damaging experiences, and prepare me for what's next. I am willing to go through anything for that safety, training, and growth of faith. To stay in my comfort zone would never give me any of that. I've resolved to set out to that small stream that might dry up, to live in a cave that might not be comfortable, and be fed by God's kingdom. I may have apprehension, and my heart may waiver, but God stays true even when I do not.

Light on a Hill

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a [f]hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a [g]basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 4:14-16

Tonight while I was talking to God I had a thought based off of these verses.

Sometimes this is the way I envision life. Climbing upwards everyday, everyday learning how to better serve God. And as we strive, we will reflect more of His light. I'm not saying we should strive to climb the hill so that everyone will see us. Instead, we climb so that we can reflect God to all those around us and below us. If we can find a way to reflect that light, we will come closer to Him and become more like Him.

When we turn around and start reflecting the circumstances surrounding us, and especially the things behind us, we don't reflect much light. Keep looking up, keep looking forward, and God's always right there.

Chin up, you've got this.

Seek the Kingdom

We're so caught up in the "What if's" and the "Why's". What about the "How's" and the "What's"?
It's my last year of school and I'm finding myself wading through those murky waters of self-discovery and everything that accompanies an unclear future. I try and learn all I can for the "What if's" that might come my way. But that's only a lack of faith. Self-discovery is good, to a certain point. But at times it seems to become a celebration of self. I still haven't found which possibilities are concrete and which are dreams. I'm still trying to define my own dreams, let alone discover the concrete possibilities that God has for me.
I still always come back to building towards the Kingdom. It's all Kingdom work. Even the parts where you're unsure and you can't seem to find the time or place that fits you. The Bible says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) Usually the rest of the chapter is forgotten. Shortly before that verse, the chapter talks about anxiety and having faith. We are called on to practice our faith according to God's calling, to seek out righteousness and to serve. The things we seek out on earth can benefit us little in the long run. Everything is short term.

When I read this, all my anxiety about where I am and where I am going seems pointless. How is it adding to the treasures in heaven? How can I add to the treasures in heaven? It says to seek the kingdom, and God's righteousness. Romans 14:17 says that the kingdom is of "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit". That peace and joy may mean being still before the Lord and finding that contentment that He calls us to. It is a gift He wants to give us, but are we prepared to slow down and receive it? Righteousness is used throughout the Bible in terms of what is ethically 'right', an attribute of God, a state of cleanliness, truthfulness, salvation, and justice. In other words, to seek righteousness out is to seek out God's character and the morals that He sets out for us in the Bible.

It all seems so simple. It may not feel simple. But we tend to overcomplicate things. Draw your focus to God and center it there. Bury yourself in the word, even when it doesn't seem to be speaking to you.
You'll find the Kingdom, you'll discover righteousness. You'll begin to let God put the pieces together for you without even realizing it.