Salt & Light

I need to make a bigger and better update, but a lot has happened lately. Many things have happened in my life that I'm slowly and closely trying to process. Summer's closing out and my thoughts are racing toward the semester, toward the doors that are wide open and the others creaking closed. It's mind blowing. However, there's a little less than 2 weeks and I'm determined to do everything I can to just breathe & live it out the way I'm meant to. Spiritually, this has been a wonderful summer and God's hands will continue to shape me and harbor me in love this semester. I've made a promise to myself this semester not to cheat myself out my relationship with Him. I don't ever want to give that away to the wind and I won't. I can't change the love and devotion I have for Jesus. No way. No how.

So, why name this entry "Salt & Light" Well, I'll say it's because of Matthew 5:13-14, but it's also because of a song from the band August Burns Red and their song, "salt & light" and how these two mediums have brought different messages. Impacted me in two different ways. God's word and the gift of music. Wonderful. My goodness.

It's been bitter at times- both this summer and in my life. And I've taken a lot of time to process and finally accept some of the moments that have really stung deep at my core. To filter out the fluff of my story and just be totally vulnerable. It's been pain. But now, I'm finally just learning to breathe easy and take some chances. To paint the beauty of a picture and find the strength in the fact that God is and will always be my Savior. It's been a beautiful and sometimes distasteful process, but I wouldn't dare change it. This is the time to climb the mountain of my thoughts, my emotions, my fears and mistakes, to reach the epitome of God's grace. Take the salty tears and the rough exterior only to push forward and find the hope of Jesus. The light of His Kingdom and pillar of strength.

That's me this semester. That's my internal desire.

The lead singer of August Burns Red has created an organization, Your Life Ministries, which is based on the vulnerable and uncomfortable truth of stories. It's beautiful. I'm in love and in hope. It's only by grace that I was introduced to his project from a wonderful friend and inspiration.

I've recently sent an email to Jake Luhrs, the founder and he responded back wanting to know my story. It's been great and I have no idea what else is in store. I want to try and get involved with them- maybe even intern. We'll see. God's love will guide me.

Remember Matthew 5:13-14.