Passion Reflection

Over the winter break, I was fortunate enough to take a road trip down to the amazing city of Atlanta. I felt so blessed to do this for a few reasons. First of all, I got to experience the trip with some amazing girls. It was a joy to get to know them better and validate our friendships. I was encouraged by making memories with these precious girls outside of Charlottesville. Different sides of girls appear when you spend every minute with them without focusing on school work. Secondly, I am obsessed with the city of Atlanta. It is simply beautiful. Being from outside of another major city, I was expecting the same type of layout. Atlanta was the perfect size. It was clean. Traffic was manageable. I really enjoyed the time that I got to spend here. I also thought the tourist attractions were so enjoyable - we visited the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Dome for the bowl game and Passion, the Georgia World Congress Center, and Centennial Park. We went inside the Sundial, but didn't end up going up in it. I wish that we had had the time and money to visit the aquarium. I could see myself in that city at some point, especially if my parents retire to South Carolina.

Now, Passion 2012. The highlight of my break. My take away is simple:
God is worthy of my praise. 
That can come in many forms. Praise extends beyond singing worship songs and attending church. My life is to be an arrow that is pointing to the glory of our amazing God. Passion helped reorient me to that fact. I often  feel torn between living and striving for success in this world instead of living to reflect the glory and wonder and awesomeness of God. I need the reminder of gospel every day, every hour, every minute. It is my goal to shine for the Lord in all I do this semester. Let my anthem be 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

I think I'm experiencing a post-passion withdrawal. Coming back from retreats, mission trips, and conferences are hard. For me, this is why: I am lacking the plausibility structure that reinforces and encourages me during those times where I am being surrounded by other Christians providing encouragement. Coming home, I lack the constant reminder and reorientation to the Gospel that was present with me in Atlanta. I want to be reminded. I don't want the novelty and beauty and mystery of how glorious and wondrous God is to wear off. It should  never be something that doesn't floor me and cause me to stop and think and praise and be thankful. Our God is great! I want to scream it to the ends of the earth. I want to tell everyone. I want the anthems of the dome to be the anthems that the whole world sings. I want to praise God here and now. I don't want my life to be wasted while I wait for some future event that may never come that I feel is going to provide fulfillment later. I pray that I will stay faithful in the Word and in community. Help me truly live my life in a way that shows I am passionate about the Lord.

Just watch this video. Hear the singing of the students in the background. I pray that we will move forward with those praises continually on our lips throughout our lives and especially this semester. Move our knowledge into actions. Let all that we do be done in love.