December 14, 2012: 27 people killed, most of which are elementary-age kids, in a shooting in Connecticut. A couple of days ago: a man jumped off a bridge and was ran over by 4 cars. Over a decado ago: two students killed 14 people at Columbine High School in Colorado. More than 500 children die everyday due to hunger, homelessness, and disease. There are countless wars happening in the world.
--Too many lives are being taken; taken at a young age.--
But, why? Why do bad things exist? Why do bad things happen? Why are there bad people in the world?
So what do we choose to focus on in this world? Money. Sports. Rappers. Clothes. Cars. But what do these things do for us? NOTHING. It is devastating that in today's world, the majority of people would rather spend thousands upon thousands, millions even, on material objects such as houses and cars than give it to people in need. It pains me to see people bullying and tearing people down rather than motivating them and building me up. I cannot fathom why more people are more interested in watching a football game for 4 hours than spending just one measly hour working at a local rescue mission. This still doesn't answer the question of why? Why, why, why?
I didn't know the answer to those questions myself until a wise man gave me the answer. He explained it to me very clearly:
God created this world in his domain. He made the sky, the trees, the oceans, the heavens, hell, and everyone. God's love for us is incomprehensible by the human mind. It's something that cannot be grasped by any human. He created all of us for a specific purpose and calls us to do something that will ultimately bring us back to him. About 2,000 years ago, God saw what the world was becoming. He saw the hatred, and the greed, and the manipulation, and the devastation; he saw the world being completely immersed in sin. But God didn't want it to be that way. He said "no." He said "I love the world and everyone in it too much for it to be this way." He said "I don't want for my children to have to live in this." Back then, when a person was caught sinning, he or she was usually killed. If you know anything abou the 10 Commandments, you'd know that everyone has sinned in his or her lifetime. It's an inevitable part of life. So, God sent His One and Only Son to the earth. He sent His Son that He could save the world. He sent Jesus. God knew that Jesus would die a painful death for a crime that He didn't commit: sinning. But God loved us that much. I don't know about you, but I don't know too many people that would send their only son to die for the world. Anyways, after Jesus' death and Resurrection, the world was freed. It was free from having that burden of having a fear of sin on its shoulders.
When God puts on this earth, we are given the opportunity to enter into a relationship with Jesus. We are given the opportunity to experience the greatest love story of all time. We are given the chance to feel the most love and grace that we could ever imagine. Some people take advantage of that opportunity and go on to experience the awesomeness that comes along with having that relationship. But, the majority of people don't take that advantage. They say "Thanks, but no thanks" and they turn their back on Jesus. This turning away opens the door for sin. It opens the door for hatred, greed, manipulation, and devastation. The horrible phenomena enter into the souls of people and take over their life. Then, those people become frustrated and take it out on innocent people. They kill. They steal. They beat. They wage wars. They disobey.
So this brings us back to the original question: why? Why?
Well, I could just sum it up in one small sentence here, but I would advise reading The Bible. It is a true, 100% accurate account of the greatest love story ever told. But the best thing about it is: we are able to experience it without paying the same price that Jesus did.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Easter Revelation
So it's Easter again which means that it's been another year full of heartbreak, new and lost friends, and growing toward Jesus. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining here and this isn't going to be one of those annoying "OMG. I hate my life because of blah, blah, blah..." posts; I've just had a lot on my heart lately and I need to let it out in a healthy way. I'm going to list these in confessions to make it more understandable. So, buckle up, pop some corn, and enjoy the post!
Confession #1: Despite what most people may think and it may be a little cliche, but [I hate going to school.] I don't like going to a building full of people I can't stand and being with teachers that don't like students for 7 hours every day. I love gaining knowledge, but I don't like school. Still, despite this, I would spend all my time at school if I could....
Confession #2: Even though I tell my friends that it's not that important, [I really want a boyfriend.] Okay, so it sounds really stupid, but I miss having someone to tell me that I'm beautiful. I miss someone staying on the phone with me until 2 AM. I miss having someone to tell absolutely everything to. I miss someone loving me for who I am, but most of all, I miss someone that I can love. I've had a messed up love life for a while now and I've been trying to figure it out. I've been thinking about who or even what I want. Do I go for the guy that everyone loves and is a sweetheart or do I go for my gorgeous best guy friend that no one can have? Do I pick the sporty sweet-talker or go back to my ex?! Or, do I go for the guy that everyone hates? The one that has let tons of girls on but never falls for them. The one that isn't even that good-looking and really doesn't have much going for him. The one that has my heart. The one that I think about first thing in the morning and last thing before I go to sleep. The one that makes my heart skip a beat merely by his presence. The one that makes me want to punch him and kiss him at the same time. What do I do? But, still, despite all this, I would stay single....
Confession #3: [I hate that I'm not rich.] Maybe, not necessarily rich, but better off with money. Seriously, it annoys me. It gets on my nerves that I always have to think about money before I buy something or go somewhere. I hate that I can't afford some of the nicer things that my friends have and to go on nice vacations. It really gets to me and sometimes I feel like lesser of a person because of it. Still, despite this, I would give away every cent to my name...
Confession #4: Even though it's impossible, [I hate that I'm not perfect.] I hate that I constantly make mistakes and screw almost everything up. I've lost friends, I've ruined relationships, and damaged valuable friendships. I've even disappointed my mother and that really upsets me. Still, despite this, I wouldn't stop being my clumsy, imperfect self....
Enough confessions. At this point you may be wondering: what the heck is this girl talking about? She is making no sense whatsoever. What I'm talking about is today. April 8, 2012. Also known as Easter Sunday. Easter is a holiday that signifies the Ressurection of Jesus 2,000 years ago. He never sinned, but suffered as if he did when he died a horrible death on the cross. On the Third Day, he rose from death and came back so that we wouldn't suffer the same type of death for sinning. These confessions can either mean everything to you or it can mean nothing. If you, like me, have Jesus in youre heart, these confessions mean nothing. I take all of my imperfections and throw them out the window. Why? Because in my 16 years I've learned to take the chances that you won't get again: tell someone you love them and don't think twice; go to college and become a clown or a tree surgeon or whatever (do what makes you happy); forget what people say and make your own rules; reach for the moon and see where it gets you; don't be afraid to be who you are. Take advantage of every opportunity because, unlike Jesus, we don't have second chances to have an impact on the world. Jesus gave us each a chance to leave a lasting influence on the world and we can take or leave it. Today, although I'm sitting alone in my room writing this blog post, I realize that I am truly blessed and I will change the world and have a power over people even after I'm gone.
Now, everyday God gives us each 86,400 seconds to do something spectacular. What will you do with yours?
Confession #1: Despite what most people may think and it may be a little cliche, but [I hate going to school.] I don't like going to a building full of people I can't stand and being with teachers that don't like students for 7 hours every day. I love gaining knowledge, but I don't like school. Still, despite this, I would spend all my time at school if I could....
Confession #2: Even though I tell my friends that it's not that important, [I really want a boyfriend.] Okay, so it sounds really stupid, but I miss having someone to tell me that I'm beautiful. I miss someone staying on the phone with me until 2 AM. I miss having someone to tell absolutely everything to. I miss someone loving me for who I am, but most of all, I miss someone that I can love. I've had a messed up love life for a while now and I've been trying to figure it out. I've been thinking about who or even what I want. Do I go for the guy that everyone loves and is a sweetheart or do I go for my gorgeous best guy friend that no one can have? Do I pick the sporty sweet-talker or go back to my ex?! Or, do I go for the guy that everyone hates? The one that has let tons of girls on but never falls for them. The one that isn't even that good-looking and really doesn't have much going for him. The one that has my heart. The one that I think about first thing in the morning and last thing before I go to sleep. The one that makes my heart skip a beat merely by his presence. The one that makes me want to punch him and kiss him at the same time. What do I do? But, still, despite all this, I would stay single....
Confession #3: [I hate that I'm not rich.] Maybe, not necessarily rich, but better off with money. Seriously, it annoys me. It gets on my nerves that I always have to think about money before I buy something or go somewhere. I hate that I can't afford some of the nicer things that my friends have and to go on nice vacations. It really gets to me and sometimes I feel like lesser of a person because of it. Still, despite this, I would give away every cent to my name...
Confession #4: Even though it's impossible, [I hate that I'm not perfect.] I hate that I constantly make mistakes and screw almost everything up. I've lost friends, I've ruined relationships, and damaged valuable friendships. I've even disappointed my mother and that really upsets me. Still, despite this, I wouldn't stop being my clumsy, imperfect self....
Enough confessions. At this point you may be wondering: what the heck is this girl talking about? She is making no sense whatsoever. What I'm talking about is today. April 8, 2012. Also known as Easter Sunday. Easter is a holiday that signifies the Ressurection of Jesus 2,000 years ago. He never sinned, but suffered as if he did when he died a horrible death on the cross. On the Third Day, he rose from death and came back so that we wouldn't suffer the same type of death for sinning. These confessions can either mean everything to you or it can mean nothing. If you, like me, have Jesus in youre heart, these confessions mean nothing. I take all of my imperfections and throw them out the window. Why? Because in my 16 years I've learned to take the chances that you won't get again: tell someone you love them and don't think twice; go to college and become a clown or a tree surgeon or whatever (do what makes you happy); forget what people say and make your own rules; reach for the moon and see where it gets you; don't be afraid to be who you are. Take advantage of every opportunity because, unlike Jesus, we don't have second chances to have an impact on the world. Jesus gave us each a chance to leave a lasting influence on the world and we can take or leave it. Today, although I'm sitting alone in my room writing this blog post, I realize that I am truly blessed and I will change the world and have a power over people even after I'm gone.
Now, everyday God gives us each 86,400 seconds to do something spectacular. What will you do with yours?
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