Have a great life.

I am finished with college classes. And it quickly came to an end.  In fact, I am now student teaching, and am rarely on campus.  Where did college go?  As one of my professor's closed our final class meeting, she had us sit in the floor in a circle.  She asked each of us to take one of the smooth stones she passed around, grasping it in our hands.  We closed our eyes and thought over our semester, coming up with one word to finish the phrase, "I am          ."  The environment our community had created left this group of people to feel free to end that sentence with honesty.  Some people said more knowledgeable, excited, patient. When it came around to me, "I am ready."

As another teacher closed our last class, he explained that this semester he had been prepping us for all kinds of encounters we would need to be ready for when we enter the field.  Between the jokes, the skits, and stories all representing experiences he's had teaching high school over the years, I know he loves his job.  The last thing he planned for us to read was a personal letter he had received from a past student of his. The letter thanked him for being a great teacher and encouraging this student to pursue a better future than any one ever had before.

 He prefaced it by basically saying we would encounter many bumps in the road on this journey and maybe feel as though we are not making any difference at all - but there are occasions we will see the fruit of our labor and it makes this crazy job worth it.  Once we finished reading and as my last class of my senior year ended he simply said,

"Have a great life.  Go get 'em."

So here I go. Ready?

Before the day gets loud ---

What do I do when I'm wide awake, ready for the day, and school has been canceled? Well one roomie has already left for class, and the other roommate is sleeping.  That leaves a very quiet house.  So before the day gets loud, I'm gonna blog about what I read this morning.

A few weeks ago I had gotten up one Sunday morning to read a bit before Crossroads.  I opened up to a passage in Ephesians and was really feeling the Spirit speak to my heart that morning.  I had a feeling we'd be studying Ephesians that morning at Crossroads too.  What do you know - we did and have been for a couple weeks now.

I was originally struck by the fact that I have the same access to the Father that Jesus Christ does.  The Spirit is like my access key.  There are two things I need to remember about this. One, I would not have had this access without Jesus saving me by dying on the cross.  Two, without Jesus my sin blocks the door to my Father. 

My prayer is that the Spirit's voice and presence may be loud and that we may be aware - so we can better fight against Satan's temptations and the sin that keeps us from being close to our Father. 

As we've studied this book of Scripture in Crossroads, I have thought over and over again of Paul's dedication to the Church.  He has a true love for Christ's Church, and says "I have not stopped giving thanks for you and remembering you in my prayers."  This is beautiful.  This is part of a great picture of what the Church is to look like. 

¹⁵ For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. (Ephesians 1)

I think of the Church in Ephesus, and imagine myself hearing Paul's letter.  How encouraging to know that someone has been praying for me and my brothers and sisters.  To look back and read the things that Paul truly wants for these people moves and challenges my heart. Paul does not pray a pretty, little prayer and say "Amen!" when hearing good news from his friends in Ephesus - he prays big things for them.  This is what he prays:

 ^{17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1)}

Paul speaks life into the Church and deeply wants great things for them.  He wants them to always know God better.  Church, let us encourage one another!  Let us praise our Father for each other and the work he does through us.  Let's get on our knees and pray that our brothers and sisters come closer to our God each day - and that we can clearly understand the hope Christ has given us in this life.  May we see God's incomparable power in the lives we, the saints, choose to live.