Solitude

       Hey everyone! I just want to say how excited I am to be joining the Barnabas team this summer! It is God's perfect timing and I am really looking forward to being able to share God's love with all the kids. And having awesome fellowship with all of you!

       This was an awesome chapter for me! I am so the type of person who is constantly on the go, I never just sit still in God's presence. While reading, I was so encouraged to seek out that solitude with Him. God has a great plan for me and wants to express it, but I must come to Him in silence and be willing to just listen to Him. I loved that passage at the end of Ephesians when it talks about attaining the fullness of God. Recently I was at a winter camp and the focus was connecting with God. Every morning we had an hour of quiet time in the woods. What an amazing time that was! Talk about the fullness of God too, I never wanted it to end. Gods love was so prevalent and real when I was calm and quiet in front of Him. At that camp and again reading this chapter, I have been challenged to really get alone and silent before my Maker. 

       Another part that stuck out to me was the idea of silence being related to trust. It has never been presented to me like that, yet when I really thought about it, I realized the truth behind it. At that same camp I mentioned before, we were challenged with these "group initiatives" which were meant to bring the group together through a created challenge. Part of our challenge was muting parts of the group while we were to complete a group task. Being silent was such a challenge and reading this devotional showed me why. I was forced to put all my trust in my teammates to make the best decision without me. When it was brought back to trusting God, I realized I need to just shut my mouth to listen to all that my God is trying to tell me and convict me of. I need to put my complete trust in Him, that He has the best in mind for me and need to help me deal with my sins. 

         So this upcoming week, I am looking forward to setting special time aside to just listen to God. I hope you all were challenged through this awesome devotion! I am counting down the days until Memorial day weekend!! Have a great week everyone!    Love,  Ashley