no reason to worry

so in exactly 18 days I will be on a plane to Chicago, IL, where I will be for EIGHT whole weeks. it's kindof crazy. I think it's somewhat equivalent to me moving to Birmingham for school, because i wasn't around my family all the time, but then again, they were ONLY an hour away if i ever needed anything. And I could still call them anytime i wanted too. I think its starting to sink in that i won't be able to just call them whenever i want too, nor can i just call any of my friends any time i want too and go hang out spur of the moment like I do while I'm at Samford. But, it wouldn't be much of a sacrifice if i was able to just hang out and chill whenever i wanted too while in Chicago. And yes, i'm starting to get nervous that I may get homesick, I may not get along with someone in the team, or there might be conflicting viewpoints, or many other possibilities arise when are with people you have never met before and BAM you are living together for 8 Weeks!

THankfully, God can cast out all fear, anxiety, doubt, and worries that I, or anyone, may ever have. Hebrews 12:2-3 says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Wow! those verses are so encouraging! If Christ can endure some of the worst persecution, be beaten and have his skin ripped from his back, have 3 nails driven into his body, and hang on a jagged wooden cross SO that I, tara, can see his love for me and for all mankind and so that I may live with Him for all eternity. THen by all means, I can definitely suffer for Him. I don't know what may come this summer, but if it ultimitely brings glory and honor to God's name, then there is nowhere else I would rather be on this earth.

One verse that I have heard quite a few times in the last week is Jeremiah 29:11-14a, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord." How comforting are those verses. I think God has been screaming them at me, because seriously, I've heard them or read them almost everyday. IT's just an awesome feeling to know that He already knows what will happen long before it actually does. He wants me to find Him in every situation, I must seek Him with all my heart. GOd desires a relationship with each of us, and He has glorious riches that He wants to pour out onto us! Do we want a relationship with him? Are we willing to 'suffer' for Him like he suffered for us? Will we call upon Him, pray to Him, and SEEK Him with all of our heart, mind, soul, and actions?

Therefore, God has me in His loving arms and nothing can ever take me out of my Father's hands. I have no reason to fear or worry because God has absolutely perfect plans for me and for everyone who seeks after Him.

ONE MONTH LEFT!

Wow! i absolutely can not wait to work with kids from Chicago! i got a glimpse of what it might be like while i was in St. Louis over Spring Break and every time i think about pouring Christ's compassionate love out into the lives of children, i get a huge smile on my face! God has HUGE plans for this summer, and i may or may not be working with kids, but whatever he has me do, i know that it will be part of His will. Because I am not privileged enough to thwart God's plan for me. I am a mere vessel of His perfect plan. My prayer is that I consistently seek Him and that I obey Him when He speaks. However, I never want to be so caught up in looking to the future and what I hope God will eventually do, that i miss what he sets right in front of me. Sometimes i think God gets frustrated with us, ok, I KNOW God gets frustrated with us. He puts opportunities and people right there for us to reach out and minister to, but we keep looking past it to the new and exciting upcoming summer vacations, or we look for BIG AWESOME overseas mission trips and we think that that is the only time that God can really use us. But we are Wrong! He can use us when we are sitting in the cafeteria. He can use us to be shining lights of Christ when we go into the gas station to buy a drink and the sweet woman behind the counter says "oh! its so nice to have some pleasant people come in." That's the opportunities when God wants to use us. When we can say, "Thank you, I am happy because my Lord and Saviour is AWESOME, alive, and He loves me and you more than we could possibly comprehend!"

I pray that i see the daily opportunities to minister.

There's a song by Kathryn Scott which beautifully describes how much I need, want, and desire Christ. And that even after Christ fills us with his love and mercy, it only makes us want him more and more!

When my soul has cried it's tears and my heart begins to faint

Will You draw near? Will You meet with me?

When my days are filled with longing and my spirit groans and waits
Will You draw near? Will you meet with me?
I'm calling and waiting, Your presence Lord, is life to me

Breathe on me now As I bow down

I'm desperate Lord for more of You

Come satisfy, until I am even more in need of you!

When my dreams have been forgotten, and my hope begins to fade
Will you draw near, will you meet with me?
When my days are filled with searching and my strength has given way
Will you draw near? Will you meet with me?
I'm calling and waiting, Your presence Lord, is life to me.

Passionately Desire God Daily