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I am a college student.

I am 15.

I have problems.

I sometimes feel insecure.

I sometimes want to use my

‘College student’ status

To prove myself worthy to people.

I have failed about a thousand times over.

But that does not make me a failure.

I am more than my mistakes.

            They don’t define me.

                   I know that now.  

                        Let me tell you how…

I have a Savior who is more than all I’ve ever wanted.

            I have hope.

                        I have a Friend who is with me 

through everything.

            He gives me hope.

                        He constantly reminds me that I am 

not alone.

And I am not alone.

I have a new identity in Him.

It isn’t my ability to be perfect 

that determines God’s ability to use me.

It isn’t my performance that determines His love for me.

It isn’t anything

 about

me.

It’s everything about Him.

Can I tell you a secret? 

One that might possibly become everything to you?

He could be your friend too.

I can’t even begin to tell you all that He is.
                                           I just couldn’t - it’s not possible. 

But I can tell you this:

He is more than enough.

He can change your life.

He can take big problems.

He can take problems so minute

That you are sure that 

He doesn’t care about them.

He will  take them.
As soon as you let Him, He will take them away 

and He will become everything to you. 

Freedom

Ever since hearing ‘Out There’ from Hunchback of Notre Dame, I’ve loved the song.

It tells of Quasimodo and his desire to be “out there”. His desire to be free.

As I was listening to the song today, I again heard the line,

‘Ev'ry day they shout and scold and go about their lives
Heedless of the gift it is to be them’

and it struck me just how much most of us take for granted.

The concept of freedom. How many of us don’t even think about freedom? How many of us take the freedom we have for granted?

It’s not hard to do.

I do it without even realizing it. I just do what I want; walk on the streets, play in the parks, swim in local lakes, travel. And when I’m doing all different types of things, I never stop to think about the sacrifices that my freedom cost.

So many people, men, women, children, have died to ensure my freedom. Most of them knew what was happening, and decided their death was worth the freedom of those to come.

Wow.

It also brings to mind the One who has died to set everyone free.

The same thing happens with Him.

I go about my life without fear of death or fear of the future. Without the oppression of sin weighing on me. I love people without (as much) reserve. I live in spiritual freedom, and often forget to think of His sacrifices for me.

How can I change my life to be more thankful?

Personally, I will remember when I hear “Out there”.

What about you?