Archives: Aubrey MacMillan

There is a reason I do not listen to lyrical music while doing homework.

I adore music as much as anyone, and believe the perfect song enhances any moment. I have learned that I cannot simply hear a song without attentively listening to it and making its lyrics my own thoughts. When music plays, I tend to hone in on the poetry within the sounds and lose track of what I happen to be doing.

This week, in an act of professional procrastination I turned on a Spotify station while trying to tackle some homework. I really should have known this wasn’t conducive to my ideal study atmosphere, but I found some way to justify it. While I was in the midst of typing out a thesis statement, Jon Foreman’s voice inconveniently propelled itself out of my speakers, grabbed me by the face and demanded my full attention. For the next three to five minutes, I knew that my homework would just have to wait.

The words that captured and interrupted my thought were “Put the God badge down and love someone. / Love alone was yours to carry, you can lay your gavel down… / There is no us or them, only people you do or don’t understand / Just put your God badge down and love someone.”

Talk about a pause for conviction.

The song I stumbled upon was the aptly named “God Badge” by Fiction Family. Jon Foreman heads up the duo in this song, and as we know from his solo work and work with Switchfoot, he is a smart lyricist who proves to exhort followers of Christ to a more reckless abandon in pursuit of Him.

This song directly addresses the command for Christians to lay down their pride and personal agendas and carry out the purposes to which we are called. I can only imagine Jesus saying something similar to the Pharisees who shunned opportunities for service to make more room for themselves on their pedestals. He gave his life to serve and save other people, and he made disciples whom he asked to do the same. Jesus proved that he cared little for the outward appearance and shiny visage of religiosity. He looked inward and found worth in those who loved and served purely for his Father’s namesake.

I’ll confess that after this song was over, I immediately hit repeat, grabbed a journal and spent time in thought rather than finishing my homework right away. Sometimes this is necessary, and schedules occasionally have to be modified and interrupted.

While looking through the Gospels and dwelling on these lyrics, I thought of how perfectly these ideas apply to events occurring in my life at the moment. I’m in the midst of experiencing ISP training, and my team and I have spent a lot of time recently focusing on the purposes of our trip. We have come to the conclusions that all people are image bearers of God and are, therefore, sacred beings. While we are going to experience a completely different culture, we recognize that the differences are not important, and we are bent on showing the non partiality of Christ through the way that we shamelessly love on them. There really are no boundaries in the Kingdom, and all should experience the love that Christ showed us. This is something to apply in our everyday lives as we go through work, class, and whatever else, as well as to bring over to an overseas experience.

Music this week served not only as a time consumer for me, but a priceless reminder to carry throughout my day. While life has picked up and commitments are demanding, remember to treat others as sacred and love them the way Jesus showed us. Thanks for sticking with me, readers. I’ll see you next time.

There are several things in life that prove to round each of us out and make us who we are today. These things include defining moments and experiences as well as each interest and passion. Some of the biggest things to enrich and shape my outlook were astounding mentors, reading the Harry Potter series with my dad, discovering the unending goodness that is British literature and television and finding out that the world is much bigger than my small town had led me to believe.

Being a student at a university is one way that life expands and becomes all the more expansive. Since embarking on my ongoing journey at CBU, I’ve acquired more knowledge and experiences that have further enriched me and that I know I will look back on later and recognize as huge blessings. So, for my time thus far at CBU, here are snippets of the best of the best.

I learned that the world is (still) much bigger than I can imagine. I remember at first being astounded by the sheer number of genuine individuals I encountered. We all had a free pass to start fresh and come into our own. So many people from all over the place come here, and each one has a rich history and ongoing story to share. I find that each person I encounter has an unbelievable amount of depth to them, and this notion continues to strike me and inspire me daily. All people are sacred masterpieces – our job as believers is to treat them as such. This is something that can only be learned when immersed in a completely new environment, and university life has been so apt at doing so.

A Godly community reminds us of the only constant things. I found so many authentic Christ followers at this school; I wasn’t even sure that this many existed in one place, as I hadn’t seen anything like this type of community before. Plugging oneself into friendships, mentor relationships and group scripture studies is key to personal and spiritual growth. It reminds us that God is constant in an ever-changing world, and that he is the best thing we could strive for. Stumbling closer to his company and following him in service is so much more possible when done with others who are along for the ride. Share the difficulties, the heartache, the triumphs and exclamations of praise. Life is greatly enriched when it is shared.

I realized the importance of seeking out each and every opportunity. Education is a privilege, and one way to take full advantage of it is to extend your learning outside the classroom. Get to know your professors and keep up with them when class is over. They can cue you into all kinds of events and advice that will take your learning experiences farther than if you leave it all in class. It’s no surprise that we become more like those we surround ourselves with, and I tend to see the truth of this repeatedly over the past three years. Check out the clubs and the volunteer opportunities, and cling to those who share and deepen your interests.

As I have said countless times, we are at a time in life where the decisions we make now will come to shape us later on. The habits we build, relationships we make and opportunities we seek will affect us years beyond now, and it’s best to dig our wells as deeply as we can during this time. CBU has provided me with countless avenues of doing so, and I find the need to continue to invest more fully with each moment I have left. After all, life is short, but so much beauty can be packed in.

A while back, I stumbled across a fantastic blog called Humans of New York that I still keep up with to this day. The entire concept centers on a photographer who captures pictures of people as they go about their daily lives. He then posts these photos, with permission, and shares a bit of the conversation he had with the individuals he encountered. This blog focuses solely on individuals, with their talents, regrets and simplest to most profound thoughts. Viewers may come to realize the sacredness and value of each and every person and may find anything from humor to solace in a documentation of a simple encounter.

Inspired by this, I have decided to tackle this in my own way. Call it an exercise in focusing on the value of human interaction and the uniqueness that may be found in the community that binds me with my fellow students. To start this challenge off, I caught a few moments with Cassie Hanlin and would like to share a bit of her perspective that always proves to be edifying.

Ladies and gents, Cassie Hanlin.

Brief intro: This woman is a riot. She has an amiable nature, fluency in humor and sarcasm, and desire to love God and His people. She’s a third-year student hoping to go on to graduate school, and she is also an intern for the Office of Mobilization. We caught a few moments to talk while grabbing coffee from Wanda’s before moving on to our next classes. We got to catch up on how we’re doing with homework, ISP, leadership applications and the like. It was then that I decided to pick her brain about what her life is like as a student, specifically at CBU. She responded with insight that is only fitting to share.

When I asked about one difference from high school to college life, Cassie mentioned the variety of relationships formed. “I’ve been surprised by how you can have more personal relationships with older people, being at a university,” she replied. “It’s not weird to want to get to know your professors – you can actually enjoy seeing them after class.”

I then asked how she feels that she has grown since being here and what it was that sparked that. Her answer was, “I’ve honestly experienced an entire shift in worldview. When I came here I had to come to terms with why I needed God for the first time in my life. Meeting people here and interacting with the MOB Office encouraged me to really understand truth and gain my own knowledge of what that is.”

As our time ran out and we hurried off to class, I asked her what piece of advice she would give to a large group of young people. She laughed and stopped a minute to say, “It’s funny, because we have a lot more responsibility than you would think. Right now I’m realizing exactly how important it is to budget. So stay on top of finances. Also, I’m realizing how important it is to think outside of myself. The world’s needs are bigger than my own, and that’s good to remember.”

I’m always amazed by the value of happenstance conversations and the necessity in swapping thoughts, ideas and emotions. There is always something to be gained from even the briefest of encounters, and I hope those pile up into a world of good as I leave you for now. Readers, I will see you next time.

L.O.V.E. – We talk about this little word with big underlying principals often. We all have thought about its implications on our lives, and more often than not, this word is one that is thrown around without consequence. For example, I’ll readily say that I love coffee, the same way I love books and movies. This week, I have started to rekindle my reverence for the word, and have seen where my thoughts have taken me.

Throughout my short life, I’ve seen love defined a number of different ways. It’s attributed to anything from a parent, movie, clothing item, or plate of pasta. We all recognize the difference between the lighter loves to the richer emotions and actions, however the ways in which we define LOVE in its purest form may be in need of attention. In a search for meaning and belonging, I’ve seen falsified versions of love used as a cheap substitute for a deeper craving. We can look to other people, entertainment, academic or career success, or a number of other things to try and gain acceptance and a taste of this love we are all designed to crave. I, like countless others have come to a point where I have to form my own beliefs about this – and in reflecting on this lately, I’ve boiled down my thoughts to words.

Love is clearly a force that comes from a place separate from selfishness and imperfection. We crave it because we know it is good, and we need it in order to be fulfilled. Love is bigger than us, perfect, and the greatest thing we can experience in this life. Saying all of this, let me clarify: GOD = LOVE. He created everything, and is goodness and perfection defined. He embodies and sets the standard for love and all things good.

Knowing this, it’s clear to me that, because God shows love perfectly, no lasting bit can be found without Him in it. Since we are made in His image, we are designed to love Him and others. Our desires point us back to Him, who made us to want Him in His goodness. He is jealous for our commitment to Him, because He wants the best for us – and He is the very best.

All this said, there are many ways of experiencing His love. Lately, I’ve been increasingly aware of His love displayed in the littlest things – pristine skies, a gust of wind, a delicious bite of food, or a gorgeous song. Beyond these, I’ve been frankly overwhelmed with the way God show His love through the people in my life. He’s given me a dream family, the best of friends and an insanely wonderful boyfriend who are all dedicated to the Kingdom, and excel at letting the Creator’s love flow through everything that they do. Each element of this creation He deemed “good” is a cause for thankfulness and a way to experience the Creator. All good things point back to Him, and there is so much good to be found.

With that, I am pushed once again to really love and show reverence for this act. When I push away anything that keeps me from loving and experiencing this love, God just steps in and does His thing – and it is astonishing. He wants us to experience and give out His love, and seeing as no one can sum up my mind better than Mr. C.S. Lewis, I’ll leave you with his words:

“In God there is no hunger that needs to be filled, only plenteousness that desires to give.”

Friends, I’ll see you next time.

It’s on us once again – the scattered reunions, the rush to get each new book and syllabus in order, and the overall thrill of a new beginning. It’s time to spend the next few days stocking up on mac n cheese and coffee and catching up with those we missed as we prepare for everything ahead. Friends, let’s have a virtual toast to the promise of another year on earth!

The break for Christmas was such a perfect way to gather up my thoughts once again and relax for a while in order to carry on into my next adventure. There is no better way to kick off a new season than with a bit of rest and time with lovely people, and the break allowed me to do just that. The second I got home, I found myself stuffed with homemade meals and then quickly trading regular clothes for big comfy sweaters and furry slippers (it was quite chilly back home – I think I’ve become way too accustomed to the Riverside sun). Clad in my comfy Northern garb, I grabbed a blanket and my cat and enjoyed countless movies and books purely for kicks. It felt entirely wrong to watch or read something without having to write a paper on it later, but hey, I cherished the moment. Aside from my time as a couch potato, I was able to reconnect with old friends, spend time at my home church and enjoy the presence of the people I love the most. After experiencing all of this, I find that there is no better way to recharge than to slow down and soak in every bit of the time given to me over the break.

Now I need to take the time used to recharge and put it to work. I have never been one who pays special focus to New Year’s resolutions, but I do find myself listing things I’m hopeful for with each new semester or season. Of course, there are the usual goals of keeping my grades up, loving people effectively and investing in new and old friendships – all of which are great to focus on – but this year I especially want to work on the simple task of being present in each and every moment. I have quite a few things to look forward to: I’m preparing to join with a team and share the Gospel in the UK, I’ll be taking a class taught by one of the X Men producers (I KNOW, RIGHT?!), and, as always, I’ll be surrounded by some of the greatest people I’ve been fortunate enough to live life with. Through all of this, I hope to keep my Creator in the center of my focus and glean as much as I can from each and every moment.

Moving forward now, as always, let’s remember to live fully. Schedule moments to steal away a lunch, coffee break or movie night. Call home and tell your friends and family how much they mean to you (even in the midst of a crazy week – it really builds perspective). Engage in chapel, serve in church and reach out to at least two new people who you do not immediately click with. Pay attention in each class and remember that the education we are investing in is preparing us for a lifetime of service and teaching us more than we can possibly imagine. Read at least one book or watch one unexpected movie purely for fun and share it with your roommates. And of course, never forget to “count others as more significant than yourself” (Philippians 2:3 ESV). Let’s love God and love his people in big ways this semester, and dedicate full attention and joy to each day. Friends, I’m looking forward to this year, and I’ll see you back next week.

Readers, I am writing to you in the midst of it all – my finals are in full swing, with each and every project due at relatively the same time. It is definitely keeping me occupied. However, I have to keep reminding myself that this is what I signed up for, and I would not trade it for anything. After all, my work includes examining Homer and writing analyses of classic Hitchcock movies. Oh, I am so fortunate to be an English/film major.

While I can’t deny that I love my classes and am sad to see them end, I am so ready for a break. I have been ceaselessly busy balancing various obligations, Christmas festivities, and homework that I sometimes wonder how I accomplish anything, given how short each day seems to be. How am I keeping sane? Wonderful question. To be honest, my attention is split several different ways, and I have to budget a certain amount of time and attention to each element in my life to keep myself at a balanced level of enthusiasm and studiousness.

The first thing bouncing around my brain is the fact that, starting next semester, I will begin ISP training with a team I already know to be a wonderful bunch. Team Reveal occurred last week, and I discovered that I will be spending three weeks over the summer in the United Kingdom. (Insert screaming and happy-dancing here). I will walk where so many kings, queens, poets, fictional detectives and boy-wizards have tread! I have been passionate about this country and culture for as long as I can remember, and knowing that God has given me those passions for the purpose of sending me there to spread His truth is overwhelming. I absolutely cannot wait to get started! Thankfully, addressing each of my support letters earlier this afternoon gave me a much-needed break from studying, allowing me to spend time praying the matter over and regaining my focus. I am still in awe of the fact that I will begin working toward our mission in the UK next semester, and I cannot help but give this upcoming adventure quite a bit of mental attention at the moment.

Another thing that has dominated my thoughts is the constant reminder that I am so thankful to be a student, even in the midst of this busy, sleepless season. I am reminded of why I came to college in the first place, acting upon a desire to seize opportunities for higher learning in order to honor God with all my mind. He has given me the ability to study the subjects I am passionate about and to increase my knowledge so that I may integrate faith into learning and see how my Creator may be glorified in the work that I do. I am acting upon the skillsets that He has given me, keeping his Kingdom at the center of my focus and trusting that he will be served fully in my endeavors. This is such an important reminder, especially now as I am fighting to stay alert and finish all of my classes well. Praise the Shepherd for coffee – it has helped me achieve just that!

The third and most tantalizing thought in my mind is the promise of sweet rest just as soon as I finish my last final and head home for Christmas. I can’t wait to curl up on my couch with my cat and watch all of those movies I have been dying to view. I crave my mom’s cooking, time to sing with my dad, and days spent watching British television marathons with my little brother. I long for the smell of pine from our Christmas Tree, endless Christmas carols, peppermint bark, services at my home church, and time with my family to talk and laugh and enjoy every good thing my God has put in our lives. This week promises relief and refreshment from a semester that has proved to be one of my most strenuous, yet I also pray for opportunities to love on everyone I encounter. I have been blessed so richly these past few months, and I hope that I can give this back throughout the remainder of the semester and through the entirety of my vacation.

There’s a little snippet of my scattered, well-worn mind. I sincerely hope that you are all surviving your workload, and finding time to stop, be grateful for each breath, and enjoy your lives. As for me, it’s back to studying for now. Thanks for sticking with me this semester, Readers, and I can’t wait to see you back soon! Have a fantastic, blessed, and happy Christmas!

Brace yourselves – finals are coming. We are in the home stretch of the semester. It is a bit crazy to think that immediately after break, we have one short week before we dive headlong into our final papers and exams, ready or not. In honor of this time of year, I put up the following poster in my apartment (along with our lovely Christmas decorations).

Despite the coming all-nighters and endless cups of coffee, let me just take a moment to revel in the goodness that was Thanksgiving Break. Yes, it was short. Yes, I came back last Friday and was instantly reminded of how much homework I still had to finish before the week began. Aside from these things, however, I was still able to find the energy and motivation to continue on. How exactly? To be completely honest, much of it begins with Doctor Who.

Now, for those of you who don’t know, I absolutely adore the BBC show Doctor Who. It’s one of my favorites, and one I always watch with my little brother. The show has been around for 50 years (yes, 50), and BBC America released a special to celebrate the show’s record-breaking run. Thankfully, this premiered the weekend I returned home for the break, so I was fortunate enough to be able to watch it with my brother. We spent the majority of the day in our pajamas and in front of the TV, enjoying the British goodness that unfolded before us. We screamed, we laughed, and, yes, we even ventured to let out a few tears. We basically presented the perfect picture of enthusiasm to my parents, who just watched us in confusion.

This picture of enthusiasm is something I am trying to maintain as I do my best to finish strongly this semester. While these moments at home were simple, they remind me of the reflection of a greater enthusiasm that should be maintained. One awesome thing about movies, shows, music, and other media is that it ignites a spark within each of us. Something about these art forms taps into our humanity and makes us think, feel, and become enthused over what we see and hear. Since we were all created in the image of God, we can notice how these elements of enthusiasm are reflections of Him. This fact was reiterated to me through the remainder of break – we crave community with family, which serves as a reflection of our craving for intimacy with the Creator. We crave food because it enlivens us and points to the goodness of God. Goodness in all things proves to me that each of my desires is for Him, the author of all goodness and beauty. We are made to want more of Him, and all things in creation can point us back to Him.

Bearing all of this in mind, I dig deep into the recesses of my brain to finish all of my remaining projects and papers and prepare to do well on each exam. The life I am living and all things in it are truly a gift, and I plan to live fully as I head into the beginning of the end of yet another semester at a university I love. Carry on, sailors, and live well.

Friends, the time is upon us. Stores have been advertising pumpkin everything, classes are speeding up the pace in preparation for upcoming vacations, and I find myself constantly aware of an intense craving for turkey. It is time for us to pack up the books (and unwashed laundry) and head home once again for Thanksgiving Break!

This season always brings about an awareness of each blessing in life. While thankfulness is a practice that should be maintained throughout the year, this holiday serves as a reminder to reboot this mindset. While I have been allowing all of the blessings from this semester to marinate in my mind for a while, I am consistently struck by the thought that blessings are meant to be returned. While I have a mile-long list of things to be thankful for, I find that I have an equally bountiful amount of opportunities to bless others. So, rather than rant all about things to be thankful for, I’d rather take the common ideas and offer ways to return the blessings and bring the focus back to others.

First of all, I am always thankful for my family and for my little town in Northern California. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to go home for the week. While I adore my life here, I find myself missing my small town and the people there. I have been and am continually blessed by my family and close friends from Ukiah, and choose to focus on ways to bless them in return on my upcoming trip. I’ll make a point to make various coffee runs for those who still have to work, drop off cookies at my old office, and catch up on life with everyone I can. Being home with family is wonderful, and while rest is important, it’s also good to make a point to fill your days with simple acts that can make each person you encounter feel loved. This becomes especially important if, like me, you don’t make it home often. Continually invest in your relationships, and use each minute of this time off to ensure that your friends and family feel blessed by you.

Seeing that finals are rapidly approaching, despite the thrill of the upcoming week off, I’ve been constantly reminded of the blessing it is to be a student of the subjects I love. Studying literature and film is, quite honestly, my dream come true. Life is a never-ending book club where I get to talk and write about literature, while simultaneously watching astounding new movies and geeking out about why they are great. Not only do I greatly enjoy my area of study, I get to see the ways in which they are being used to further the Kingdom, and learn how I can play my part in that plan. A challenge to consider in the midst of all of this is to take a moment and put the education we’re receiving into perspective. Consider why you are in school, and what it is you hope to accomplish when you earn your degree. Remember that furthering your education is one way to act as a light in the world, as Christ called us to be, as we can use the knowledge and experience we gain to become more awestruck by the world and the God who made it. This makes me all the more excited to learn continuously, and to play my part in using the knowledge I gain to worship my God.

Readers, I hope that you will be especially blessed this week. As you enjoy the class-free time with those you love, be a cause for blessing to everyone you encounter. I’ll see you in two weeks!

In first coming to CBU, I was aware of the (in)famous concept of “Ring by Spring.” The topic of dating and the thought behind this phrase definitely rings true on this campus (no pun intended). The reality of this topic surrounds us – couples abound, and dating is discussed in any circle of friends gathered for lunch at Brisco’s. Several of our on campus events address this idea, and rightfully so. We find this topic relevant at this time of life, and it is so vastly important to discuss them in the community available to us. In the experience I’ve gathered here, a few elements on the topic of relationships prove important to address. So buckle up, readers, and let’s talk dating.

• Perspective: Everything to be said about relationships should be looked at with a Biblical perspective. As Christians, it is our joy and our goal to honor Christ and to achieve His purposes in everything that we do. This, of course, includes pursuing relationships with other people. It’s true that on a Christian campus, innumerable awesome and Christ-loving individuals surround us, which honestly makes it difficult not to start crushing on one of them at one time or another. That being said, it’s important to keep your primary focus on advancing the Kingdom of God. Focus on your love for Him, and know that relationships serve as a picture of a selfless love that reflects the Creator.
• Contentment: While the idea of dating is one that will cross your mind at some point, know that it shouldn’t dominate your thoughts. Regardless of whether you are single, in a relationship or beginning to date, your worth is not affected by changes to come. You are so much more than your relationship status, and it is important to focus on the qualities that matter most. Cultivate genuineness, humor, kindness, confidence, thoughtfulness, humility, and passion that exudes from every pore. Your personal journey will play out wonderfully, and those who join you in it will be encouraged by your dedication and passion to live fully and honor the Creator.
• Motive: If you are at a point where you are dating someone, or you’re in a serious relationship, always remember to seek the best for both yourself and the other person. The best experience in this life is a reckless pursuit of the God of all things, and when you play a part in someone else’s story, push and be pushed toward advancing the Gospel. This will be played out in your relationship through the way you respect each other, care for the other’s goals and well-being, and are willing to join in on their spiritual walk. Make time for the important conversations as well as for fun, and listen to each other’s insight. Make a point to seek accountability from other people as you move forward. It’s important to work on your identity as a couple, and including other trusted people in that can be instrumental in further shaping your Christ-centered relationship.

Relationships, as with everything else in life, are a way to seek growth. Regardless of whether you’re single or dating, remember that everything in life should be done seeking the Kingdom of God. In college, the “Ring by Spring” idea will bounce around the conversation, but should not be an end goal. Look for wisdom from others when addressing this, and remember that the goal, as always, is to honor God and be blessed to grow immensely.

It’s interesting how certain themes pop up continually throughout film, literature, and life. Reflections of certain ideas are seen in various art forms because they are continually relevant to us – they reveal elements of humanity, and people will always encounter them. One such idea has been presenting itself to me consistently over the past few weeks. It is one that deserves to be discussed, as it proves to be pertinent to life at a university. This idea is vulnerability.

This word gets thrown around a lot in Christian circles; we hear it in chapel, at church, and use it freely among our own companions. While the word may be overused, there is a tendency to allow the idea of vulnerability to remain cognitive without allowing the concept to connect emotionally and affect our lives. I am one who shies away from clichés, and I am guilty of shutting out ideas once I find that I have a firm intellectual grasp on them. Thankfully, my God has a way of breaking through the barriers of my mind by repeating ideas to me when there is more to be learned. Being the analytical student I am, I have learned to pay attention to motifs in literature, film, and life – where there is repetition, there is a profound meaning beneath the surface. Vulnerability is an idea that has been repeated in sermons, scripture, and conversations over the course of this semester, and I recently decided to allow this concept to resonate emotionally, rather than just cognitively. We should prayerfully and cautiously share our weaknesses in order to be held to a higher standard in our community, being constantly pushed toward Christ. Vulnerability is not a word to be used, but a habit to form and an emotional course to take.

As I worked through these thoughts with my roommates, I reached back into my mind to find the time I felt most vulnerable. An emotional connection with this idea was needed to breathe new life into this old, well-worn idea.

I thought back to the time I visited the zoo for the first time with my parents. I must have been about three years old, and I remember being amazed by the amount of people around me the entire day. At one point, I remember my parents taking me to an exhibit where I could approach an open pool to see clusters of starfish. I let go of my dad’s hand to push forward in the crowd and get a closer look, not thinking for one moment that I would lose my way. (Can you blame me? Starfish are awesome!)

Once I saw what I wanted to see, I reached beside me and clung to the nearest leg I could find without a second thought. I distinctly remember saying “Hi, Daddy,” only to hear “I’m not your father” in an unknown voice as a response. I looked up suddenly to discover that this wasn’t at all my dad, and beyond that, I had no idea where my parents were. I jumped back to look desperately up at the innumerable faces high above me, and couldn’t recognize a single one. I was confused, terrified, and felt completely exposed in my surroundings. Thankfully, my parents were quick to recover me, and my first completely vulnerable experience did not last long.

Looking back on this circumstance reminds me of what vulnerability actually is: visiting a place within you that is fragile, close to home, and takes effort to expose. Being transparent may be extremely difficult, and will require that you trust another with your thoughts and emotions.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (English Standard Version). This is a passage many of us have heard before and may be well familiar with, but part of the beauty of scripture is that it has the power to resonate differently with us at varying points throughout life. God invites us to experience life with Him, and part of this includes accepting His companionship and Lordship and opening ourselves up to dialogue with Him – even in the areas that are emotionally vulnerable. He moves greatly when we are humbled and wants us to practice vulnerability as a means of relying more fully on Him.

This recap of a familiar idea and a practice of living it more fully has been quite the journey for me over the past few months. Praise be to my Creator for reestablishing a deeper level of intimacy in my life! Readers, He is big, He is good, and He loves us, and with that, I’ll leave you until next time.