(no subject)
I thought I posted some other stuff since the last time... but apparently I didn't.
We've been in classes for 2 weeks and it already feels like we've been here forever. That doesn't really seem like a good sign. But last night at RUF Matt Lucas talked about what it means to glorify God, and sometimes we just have to be satisfied with the ordinary, mundane days. I felt that way when I was walking to class this morning, that what purpose did I have in going to Russian? What was it going to help me? How will I even use it, everyone asks. I don't know. But I'm there, and I'm taking the class, and that's all there is to it. And God can bless that endeavor just as he blesses seemingly more 'spiritual' ones.
I have a subscription to the magazine Christianity Today and there was a quote from Martin Luther in this month's issue...
"The works of monks and priests, however holy and arduous they be, do not differ one whit in the sight of God from the works of the rustic laborer in the field or the woman going about her household tasks, but that all works are measured before God by faith alone."
I thought that was really cool. Another thing that has continued to be hard is my friendship with Christopher. I don't want to really say that it's a 'thorn in my flesh,' but I can definitely say that through it God is showing me that His grace is sufficient. Daily, hourly, sometimes, I struggle with this whole issue. Part of it is me not trusting in God's sovereignty and part of it is me focusing way too much on my own emotions. I don't know what lines should be drawn or where they should be drawn. It is a burden that I have to take up, though, because the only way to completely relieve myself of it (and even this would take time) would be to cut off contact and communication altogether, and I don't really think that is what God would have me do in this situation.
In other news, Katelyn and I had our first Bible study on Monday night. Seven girls came (!!!), way more than expected. My apartment was packed out. We both thought it went pretty well. If nothing else, my relationship with Katelyn is going to be strengthened immensely, and though I am constantly praying for other results of this study, that alone would be enough to praise God for.
Then again, my salvation alone is enough to praise God for, and yet I'm constantly looking for blessings here and there. He does provide them, but I think that this semester is going to be about trusting God in the smaller things, and faithfully going about the work he has called me to right now.
Off to another Russian class... the one that is kicking my butt right now. Have a wonderful day!
We've been in classes for 2 weeks and it already feels like we've been here forever. That doesn't really seem like a good sign. But last night at RUF Matt Lucas talked about what it means to glorify God, and sometimes we just have to be satisfied with the ordinary, mundane days. I felt that way when I was walking to class this morning, that what purpose did I have in going to Russian? What was it going to help me? How will I even use it, everyone asks. I don't know. But I'm there, and I'm taking the class, and that's all there is to it. And God can bless that endeavor just as he blesses seemingly more 'spiritual' ones.
I have a subscription to the magazine Christianity Today and there was a quote from Martin Luther in this month's issue...
"The works of monks and priests, however holy and arduous they be, do not differ one whit in the sight of God from the works of the rustic laborer in the field or the woman going about her household tasks, but that all works are measured before God by faith alone."
I thought that was really cool. Another thing that has continued to be hard is my friendship with Christopher. I don't want to really say that it's a 'thorn in my flesh,' but I can definitely say that through it God is showing me that His grace is sufficient. Daily, hourly, sometimes, I struggle with this whole issue. Part of it is me not trusting in God's sovereignty and part of it is me focusing way too much on my own emotions. I don't know what lines should be drawn or where they should be drawn. It is a burden that I have to take up, though, because the only way to completely relieve myself of it (and even this would take time) would be to cut off contact and communication altogether, and I don't really think that is what God would have me do in this situation.
In other news, Katelyn and I had our first Bible study on Monday night. Seven girls came (!!!), way more than expected. My apartment was packed out. We both thought it went pretty well. If nothing else, my relationship with Katelyn is going to be strengthened immensely, and though I am constantly praying for other results of this study, that alone would be enough to praise God for.
Then again, my salvation alone is enough to praise God for, and yet I'm constantly looking for blessings here and there. He does provide them, but I think that this semester is going to be about trusting God in the smaller things, and faithfully going about the work he has called me to right now.
Off to another Russian class... the one that is kicking my butt right now. Have a wonderful day!