Study

Now that I'm back from my youth group spring break mission trip I'm getting around to last weeks blog.
I love that it starts out referencing Romans 12:2 because over the past years that's been a verse that has really stuck out to me when it comes to decisions about where I'm going in life. I find it very encouraging in overcoming the pressures of the world around. On the first page when it talks about not being left to our own devices it reminded me of how humble we have to be to come before Christ and truly offer ourselves up to Him. In studying it's impossible to dive deep into the word if ones heart isn't solely focused on striving to grow in  Christ with the full knowledge that He is our driving force. Which is why before really studying we must always remind ourselves that we aren't learning or changing on our own accord but because of the awesome relationship that God has given us through Christ. Then the next page gets into what we're really studying. This connected with me in that sometimes even when I'm studying the word my mind is still focused on other things, trying to analyze worldly situations. But it's these things that He calls us to give up like when He talks to the rich man who has followed law but has great wealth, this man is so disappointed that even after doing so much for God, he's being expected to give up even more. And how God is still like that today, He calls every one of us to give up the things that we may value most so that He can use us to our full potential as well as hold our entire heart not just the parts we feel like giving up because it's easy. Studying His word is essential for our growth, it means giving up time and energy in order to learn more and change because of it. God asks this of us in addition to all that we've given up already so that His name may be glorified all the more and that our lives may be made so much better.