Oh, where to start?? Well, I am still keeping my head above water in greek but sometimes I feel like that is about all I am doing. I am beginning to think that even if I keep my schedule the same (which I won't- 3/4 required core classes should be spread out, not all in one year! many thanks to my friends who explained the whole registration thing to me!), it will be easier than this summer. I absolutely love greek, however trying to cram two semesters worth into one month is stressful to say the least! However, we are halfway through at this point!!
Another great part of being up here in Richmond is that once again I have been given a great opportunity to visit churches in the area while I look for a home away from home. I seem to have settled on one (Second Presbyterian)- great minister, great people, lots going on as far as mission at home, and a great youth program (the last two being my prime focus). Today, the minister finished up a sermon series on Romans 8 and it really got me thinking about what is going on in my life and the world.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This past week, in addition to the stress and struggle with greek, I took time to remember the life of two very important people- my Uncle Bob (who unfortunately I didn't really have much of an opportunity to get to know well since his family moved away when I was little, but who I still consider myself to have been close to) died a few years ago after a long battle with cancer, and one of my best friends, Hope (she died in a car accident ten years ago, only 2 days after her birthday). In addition to remembering these incredible people, but big losses, I have been reminded of the trouble that our country is in every time I turn on my tv. Every day I pray that nothing will happen with my sister that will put her back in the hospital and away from her husband and girls, meanwhile, I got a call yesterday that had me on edge for a while when I was told her neighborhood had been hit by a tornado and they weren't sure what, if anything, had happened to their house (thankfully no major damage and everyone was ok). Basically, even when you are overwhelmed with blessings in your life, there are still some crappy things that like to show their face.
I have made it a habit to read the scriptures before worship so that I can just listen and really take it in during worship. I was really excited to see this verse today because I knew Rev. Evans would take it somewhere great, and it is also a favorite of mine and a great reminder after a week like this. Even with everything that is thrown at us every single day, God is always with us and helping us and none of this can outweigh what God does for us. Even more importantly, this scripture reminds us that not only is God with us during all of these trials, but that we are conquerors of them as well. It is really hard to think about that sometimes when we feel like we are drowning in all of life's problems so this is a perfect reminder.
So, no matter what is going on in your life- looming due dates for projects, language midterms, deaths of loved ones, breakups, debt collectors, fights with friends, sickness... all of it is something that we can and will overcome with God by our side. Why? Because NOTHING can separate us from God... the scripture says so!
The only downfall to all of this? Even though God is with us and we will overcome everything, I don't think this means I can not study and overcome my midterm... so, back to work!
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