Where I Am; A Different Perspective

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to move back to Vancouver.
Near the church I go to, my bestfriends, mi familia, etc.
Six years...for six years I've been practically counting "down" the years until I could make my own decisions and move outta here.
Just start MY life.

This year, 2010, my perspective has changed, because of something I came across that hit me like a truck. And when I say "truck" I mean SEMI!
Filled with bricks and stones! No, wait. . .
Filled with elephants and hippos! Lol.

I came across this verse...

"And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life. Don't think I'm being harder on you than on the others. I give this same counsel in all the churches."  - 1 Corinthians 7:17

 

It hit me HAAARRD!

After reading this awesome reminder, over and over AND OVER AGAIN (while speechless), I realized that, even though there might be only twoish years "left" until I turn eighteen, I need to be completely FOCUSED on where I am for these couple years. Because obviously, I'm here for a reason.

This year, I have also realized that THIS is my real life.
THIS is the life I have been given, by my Creator.
And THIS is the life I have to live.

I AM DONE with the "Why me!?!?!?" questions!!!
I'm just going to go through life one day at a time, with a trusting heart, 
willing to do whatever God asks. 
I'M ALSO DONE with planning out my future. 

He knows what's best for me. 
He knows what I can handle and what I can't handle.

God knows the desires of my heart more than I'll ever know.

So this year, I have/am going to make the best of it, by living fully for Jesus Christ!
I know you've heard, "Everyone has a purpose in life" and "We are all here to make a difference in this world", but they are both so very true!
Why would God put us here and give us all these great opportunities if we are just supposed to mope around and hate where we are?
He wouldn't. 

Because He loves us and wants us to be happy and serve Him with a loving heart.

Now, I'm not saying that you should always be happy where you are in life...
Sometimes it's good to realize that we are not leading the life that we should.
God gives us people, tools, and chances to change our lives for the better though.(:

But the MAIN thing that I have realized is just how stupid it was for me to be unhappy with where I live. I mean, seriously, that's such a small part of my life. God and the people in my life, the things I do, and the choices I make are way more important than the way I feel about the town I live in.
Living for Jesus is my main priority now and for the rest of my life.<3

It's so easy to get caught up in what we want and what we think we need in life. For the past six years I would always think about how much I "needed" to leave the town I live in. All those years I "hated" it here. I thought I "hated" the people here. But the truth was, I didn't even get to know them until this year, because I'd always avoid them.
I thought I "hated" the atmosphere. 
This year -> different perspective.(:

These past few months, I have made quite a few friends here. :D
And I'm excited to meet even more people here!
And my heart is willing to do my calling.<3

If I would've just taken the time to tear down the walls I built around myself way before and simply shutup from complaining to God, and just listened to Him, AND be willing to do whatever He wanted me to do (with a loving heart) -
If I just had taken the time for that, I could have saved myself alot of time spent. Those times moping and hating were such a waste.
I've learned from it.

And I'm proud to say that 2010 hasn't been like any other year!
I've changed sooo much! And I'm STILL changing!(: 
(Goal - for the BETTER).

So my point for this blog is that we don't need to focus on "where" we are; we need to focus on "what we are there for".
If we look around at any given time of the day, chances are - we are surrounded by broken and lost people with needs that we can meet.
Needs that may be uncomfortable for us to face, but we have to face them anyway, because you and I are in this world to do so.
God tells us that serving Him won't always be easy, but we will have to step out of our comfort zone for it.
And it's worth leaving our safety blankets for awhile, and putting ourselves out there.
The reward is so much better than anything you could ever receive. . .

The reward is called, "Heaven"!


With ♥,
Ella

Stop, Drop, and Follow

Decisions, decisions. I've been having to makes alot of those lately.
Mainly, because as I'm getting older, I've got more put in front of me. Haha. Obviously.
But I'm not writing this blog for a certain age group.
Certainly not! This blog is for all ages, young or "old".(:

There are difficult decisions, and there are easy no-brainer decisions.
Either way, you want to make the RIGHT decision, yeah?
What if...you had an easy no-brainer decision, that was difficult, but the best decision you could ever make, all in one deal?
Just think about that for a second or two.

"As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, 'I will follow you wherever you go.'  But Jesus replied, 'Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.'  He said to another person, 'Come, follow me.'  The man agreed, but he said, 'Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.'  But Jesus told him, 'Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”  Another said, 'Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.'  But Jesus told him, 'Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.' " - Luke 9:57-62

There is a cost of following Jesus. . .

Just as Jesus paid our cost by dying on the cross for us.

But are you willing to pay the cost(s) God asks for?

Whether it's "leaving" the people we like to hang around with, stop doing something even if it makes us feel good, etc.

Are we truly willing to leave it all behind and follow Jesus?

Speaking for myself, it would be extremely difficult to do, but I would do it.

And I'd do it with a loving and trusting heart.

Lately, the things God has asked me to drop, are the things that are holding me back from getting closer to God. "Baggage". 

I want what my Creator wants for me, and I don't want what He doesn't want for me.

I don't want no one or thing to hold me back from the prize...

A pleased God.

"And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus." 
 - Luke 5:11

"Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. 'Follow me and be my disciple,' Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him." - Luke 5:27-28

These scriptures inspire me to drop any baggage that's in my life, keeping me away from having a relationship that's on fire with God.

My encouragement for you today, tomorrow, and for the rest of your life is to stop what you're doing and take a good look at your life, drop whatever baggage you have, and follow the one and only Savior, Jesus Christ. 

(Please listen to the song I have on here "I Will Waste My Life" - Misty Edwards)


With ♥,
Ella

Who do you want me to speak to today, Lord God!?

A simple conversation could turn into a life changing moment for someone. . .

Person A: sometimes i see your IM thing online, and i become jealous. im jealous of your strength with the lord, its wrong. just wrong, i shouldnt feel that way. i just wish everything would be okay in everyones life ya know? not being so jealous, and despising. i wish i could just start over?

Person B: Oh 'Person B', NO ONE is too messed up for God to use! God delights in YOU! Ya hear me!? God LOVES you! Gosh, God is so completely in love with you! He has no favorites! You can start over, love. You can!!! You want to be stronger in Him?...You need 2 things.
1) Jesus Christ
2) Holy Bible
And it's also great to have a journal to write in.(;
He's waiting for you. He's waiting until you say, "Lord God, I no longer can live another day without you. Please take me! I want to live for YOU, and YOU only!"
He'll accept.

Person A: you inspire me, thank you so much for everything you have given me, most of all some hope. i got a bible from my gramps and will start reading tonight thank you so much.

Person B: You're most welcome.(: That's super! I'm praying for you, darling. God has massive plans for you. Listen, and He will speak.<3 Goodnight beautiful.


With ♥,

Ella