All By Myself

Everyone is gone this weekend. Aubrey's gone home for the day, and the boys are at a conference for their student ministry. That leaves me. By myself.

It's not that I'm destructive when I'm alone, but I go a little crazy. Human contact is a vital part of my day. Now I have to do homework. By myself. And decide when and what to eat. For myself. Adult choices are hard.

I spent Thursday evening with middle school and high school girls, sharing testimonies and offering encouragement. Aubrey told them her story about how God took hold of her life, and I shared about how Aubrey and I had grown because of each other, and how a friendship founded in Christ can change you. It was a really awesome night, and we even got to share a little bit about how encouraging it is to be friends with boys who love Jesus more than they love you.

I remember my relationships with boys in high school, and I'm to only more thankful for what we have now. I've never dated, and honestly, the prospect is a little terrifying. But I know that God has someone for me who's going to assuage all those fears, someone whose mutual awkwardness is going to make me fall in love with him. And I don't have to worry about that, because God's in control.

Anyway. I reread Romans 6 today, and it's still really awesome and really convicting and an extremely well put outline of what living for Christ should look like, but I'm actually going to share what Damon gave me yesterday. We do this thing where we write scripture on our arms--at least, Aubrey and I do. Yesterday, I noticed that Damon had written something on his wrist, just under his watch.

John 15:16-17
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.

Isn't that cool? We were selected by God to bring His kingdom to the earth, to show people what a truly Christ centered life looks like, and to make disciples, the way He made disciples of us. And I don't think it's any mistake that the very next verse commands us to love each other. How do you show someone that you're a believer? Start by loving them, wholeheartedly, unconditionally, and without pause or regret. The way Christ loves us.