Here I am. It's almost 2 a.m. and instead of studying for the test in my geology class that is soon approaching, I decided to get on Facebook. As I am scrolling through, I come across a photo of the incredible John 3:16 scripture. I usually see many of my peers' posts littered with Bible verses, scripture, or quotes that simply show to others that they are believers.
Don't get me wrong, this is an amazing way to be a messenger for God. However, it's always interested me to see these same people and many others around the world, and even I, who claim to love God yet leave Him on the back burner in life as if He doesn't matter in the present. People who claim to believe but don't truly live in the spirit with every breath they take. The big question is how one can serve the world and God? The hard cold truth is you can't.
"The grace of God is available to every child of God, but how much of it you see in manifestation is entirely up to you."
Have you ever let God go? I will be the first to admit that I have. I often find myself angry when tragedies occur in my life. I can not comprehend why they happen, and I end up even blaming God and not trusting His plans. Other times we may just think that we can do this life on our own, without His help and guidance.
As a college student, I understand the mentality of being dragged into a tempting world. It's so hard to stay fresh and genuine in a relationship that gives no immediate results. The sad truth is, we all make time for the things that really matter. In many instances, the things that take priority are our image, friends, social media, music, attention, and significant others. Before we know it, God is on the back burner, and we've prioritized everything else above Him.
"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10
To be honest with you, I used to be a Christian who left God on the back burner until a few months ago. I cared so much about what others thought about me and I was always searching for others to love me the way I craved. I dated a man who did not treat me like a Godly man should have, I took scripture off the internet and stuck it up on my wall without ever seeing in the Bible, and I only enjoyed worshiping God in church. I thought God was just love, but I recently learned God is someone to fear and worship every single day of my life.
"The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the spirit is life and peace" Romans 8:6
I recently gave my life to Christ and put Him at the forefront of my mind and let me tell you, it has been the best decision that I have ever made. He has shown me true love, selfless and forgiving love, steadfast love, a love that I have never known. A love so deep that I thought it could never exist. God has filled me with so much passion and peace, so much more than any form of satisfaction the world could ever bring to me.
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30
God deserves to be an active part of our life. He deserves to receive thanks from us every day for the blessings and the trials He brings continually into our lives whether we deserve it or not. We should all aspire to keep growing in faith and become believers who actively honor and pursue God day in and day out. For God loved each of us so much, that He allowed His own son, Jesus Christ, to come into this world and die for us just so that we can be saved from our selfish sins and evil ways. I mean, wow! That is so much love. We are so undeserving of that sacrifice.
Every single person that is put on this Earth washandpicked by God — the same God who created the ground and the sky — has a special purpose for all of us. Our worth when living in the world will never be permanent — money can be lost and looks will surely vanish, but worth found in Christ alone will last forever for nothing in God is temporary. He will always be faithful and no matter the circumstances, He will always have Hesed love for all of us. So when you find yourself posting a Facebook post or putting a verse in your bio, searching for validation or falling victim to the world, look to the Him who made you and remember that He allowed His son to die just to save you.
"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1 Peter 1: 18-19