Wow, hello blog! Long time no see. So much has happened since the last time we visited, but most importantly...IT'S SUMMER. While the natural joys of this season itself is super exciting, I am even more excited about all of the perks that come along with it: vacations, spending time with friends from home, frolicking in the city etc. But most importantly, summer reading! I feel like throughout the year I am constantly seeing book reviews and coming across different promotions for the latest bestsellers, all of which look great, but that I don't actually have time to read during the chaos of the school year. So luckily, the time has come for me to dig in and start crossing some of these books off my checklist.
Most recently I have been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan and let me tell you, what a gem. I feel like it is so rare that I find a book that is interesting, thought-provoking, challenging and encouraging all in one, but this one surely is. The urgency in Chan's message is so critical for me, and I think, critical for the age we live in, as a reminder that I, along with every other individual on this planet, has been called into a crazy love relationship with Lord and creator of the universe. Here is one part that stood out...
Chan told the story of a young girl who was so passionate about the Lord and living her life as a testament to the work he had done in her and her desire that each and every person she came into contact with would come to know this Creator too. Unfortunately, however, this girl was killed in a car accident when she was in high school. Below is a portion of an essay she wrote at the age of 12.
"I'll live my life to the fullest. I'll be happy. I'll brighten up. I will be more joyful than I have ever been. I will be kind to others. I will loosen up. I will tell others about Christ. I will go on adventures and change the world. I will be bold and not change who I really am. I will have no troubles but instead help others with their troubles. You see, I'll be one of those people who live to be history makers at a young age...(48)"
While it is so easy to push off responsibility and shrug off opportunities I think that the heart of this message is essential. I am an ambassador for Christ and I should live my life as such. The day of this girl's funeral, 200 of her peers recieved salvation from the Lord. To preach the gospel we don't need to achieve a certain status, knowledge or age, the Lord asks us to come as we are and He will bless and use us for His glory and purpose.
