FOMO

What a week! Last weekend I went into the mountains to a retreat with my revival group and 4 other revival groups. We hit the ground running, as we were met by a group of enthusiastic 2nd year students who were waiting to prophesy over us. That was actually one of the highlights of the retreat for me, as they illustrated how easy and casual it can be to call out the greatness that God sees in people. It's really encouraging and I'm happy that the culture here is so full of it. During the remainder of the retreat, we spent time worshiping, listening to speakers, and inviting the Holy Spirit to come (and he doesn't need a second invitation). It was also very cold! So I was happy to get back to my home (it's home while I'm here, Mom) in the Valley.

Mt. Shasta, enjoying its new coat of snow.

We got a new world map for our apartment (I was pretty excited). It's not just any map though - it's a reversed map. Chew on this for a little bit:

Who said North was up anyway?

Ebi and Raj also cleaned out the spice section of Walmart to begin bringing India (and all of its smells) to our apartment. They are always generous and offer to feed us. 

This past school week was purity week for us, which meant we got to hear amazing talks from some of our pastors and a ministry called Moral Revolution. Kris Vallotton (pastor at Bethel) started the ministry and they travel all over, calling people to a higher standard of purity and setting people free from unhealthy baggage. It's really remarkable what they do. We were able to laugh and cry through this subject that many churches see as "touchy" or taboo. 

The fear of missing out (FOMO) is huge here. There is just so much to do. So many people to meet and so much of God's goodness to enjoy. Sometimes I have to sit back and tell myself "There are a lot of people out there who are going to do a bunch of amazing things that never involve me." Wait, really? Yes. And that's okay. Here's another thought that helps me - "Jesus is enough." Just him is enough, without all the other stuff. We don't ever have to worry about missing out on him because he's always there waiting to encounter us. 

Longing for more of him is good though. Usually when we find longing in our life, it's from lack. If you don't have something, you long for it. But so many things are opposite in the Kingdom of God. The more you get of God, the more you want him! And I heard a great word from someone about this tonight: Jesus is the one that leads us to God, so when we feel a longing for God, that itself is God in our lives. I've often been praying for more of God, wondering where he is, and not realizing that this longing for more is his Spirit inside of me, burning. Wow.

Go ahead and miss out on something. "For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom." (Luke 12:32) 

Song to check out this week is Spirit Break Out by Jesus Culture.