 Burnout. It happens all the time. Especially when you are one of the core members of a church plant. I have my hand in many sections of the church and it is starting to catch up to me, almost 9 ½ months later. I used to have two different spots on my universities campus where I went to encounter God. One was right on campus and the other was a 10-minute drive off of campus and up a mountain. One was more convenient than the other, but the one that was less convenient was the one where I encountered God the most. There is something to say about this. Being a Christian should not be about convenience. Christianity shouldn’t be sharing the love of Christ when we feel like or, or when it doesn’t conflict with our schedule. Christianity is allowing time for the unexpected to happen, and actually pray for the unexpected, don’t dread it occurring. You see, I experienced burnout because I wasn’t spending the needed time with my Prince of Peace, with the One who can keep me from getting burnt out. I now have a new spot back at home, where it is just like the old one, but you can see so many more mountains, and all you have to do is drive up there. The only issue is that it is a good 25-minute drive from my home, that is out of the way and inconvenient. But you know, I have been telling myself for weeks now that I was going to go up there and spend some time getting closer and seeking out the wonder I had in God before I lost it in all the to-do lists of being a leader in the church. It wasn’t until I reached the point of being burnt out that God insisted that I meet Him at the top of that mountain. When I was up there, I brought along my prayer challenge book that has a section for almost any situation that you will go through. I went to the section on “Rest and Return” and the bible verse that went with that sections was Isaiah 30:15 which says, “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.’” That verse is so true. God gives us everything we need, but we sit here and decide that it would be easier if we just tried to do everything ourselves. We stop relying on God and that is when we lose our peace. When we have time set apart to be quiet with God is when we get our strength to do all the work that we are needed to do. And it is when we are setting time to be quiet with God that we also find confidence when we know where our strength comes from and the peace that comes from that. We cannot let the business and the buzz of what is going on in the world around us distract us from what really matters. Which is our relationship with God. There is nothing else in the world that can give you the same type of peace that is beyond all understanding. Written by: Jesse Burnette 
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 When I found out that the blog topic for this month is friendship, I honestly got so excited. Godly friendship and biblical community is something I am extremely passionate about because I’ve seen firsthand the importance of the both of them. I’ve walked through seasons of life without genuine community, but I’ve also been so lucky to be surrounded by some incredible people of God who know me, love me, and point me to Jesus in everything they do. These people have played such a pivotal role in my walk with Christ and I want to encourage you to find people who will do the same for you. Here are just a few reasons why godly friendships are so important:
You may be thinking, “I want these types of friends, but I don’t know how to find them!” Trust me, I’ve been there, and I know they’re not easy to find. But I know this, God will bring you biblical community and Christ-centered friendships, but we must do our part in the process. PRAY: Pray for opportunities to find Christian friends. Ask the Lord to show you where to look. Seek the Lord’s wisdom in finding these people and He will be faithful to answer your prayers. PLACE YOURSELF IN COMMUNITY: Most likely, godly friends aren’t just going to show up at your doorstep one day. Although, God is a God of miracles, so never say never! BUT, we must be bold enough to place ourselves in community. Put yourself out there. Go to that event, attend that bible study, do all that you can to surround yourself with other Christians, and Jesus will do the rest. Written by: McKenna   Think about a community. A community filled with friends. Friends of a different backgrounds and upbringings. Despite their differences the love of God is moving creating genuine joy. These people have your heart because God is with each one of y’all. Now think about that same community being struck by affliction. Pain, anger, and sorrow is trying to take place were joy once was. This is how I feel right now about some of my friendships. People I truly love our suffering and I am seeing how God is moving. Currently in a few of my friendship I have found that God is asking me to be present.The enemy is trying to rip away their identity away. Recently in one of my friend groups, a fellow acquaintance has passed away due to suicide. So many of my friends are left heartbroken. Questioning the reason behind it all and why life was rip away from us. I have found that I have no answer to their questions. I can’t find the right words. All I can do is be there as they grieve. When I feel the pain of one situation sinking in another sinks in. One of my best friends family is preparing for the lost of a loved one because the doctors have given a couple weeks to her uncle's life. Two verses that The Lord has shown to me is Philemon 1:12 and Psalm 25:14 Philemon 1:12 says “I am sending him back to you I am sending my very own heart.” I feel like this is exactly where my heart is and what my heart is feeling. Whenever affliction occurs tell The Lord these words that loved one that friend is your heart and you are giving it all over to God. My heart has and is crying out to My Heavenly Father. I am asking him to show himself. I am crying out to Him and I know He hears me. I have seen these couple weeks that he is showing himself in comfort of the Holy Spirit. Life will be hard, It will try to break us. That is one reason why God wants us to have community/friendships. Psalms 25:14 says “The friendship of Jehovah is with them that fear him; and He will show them his covenant.” This psalm is how we should walk in our faith and show it in our friendships. When we see pain in our friends and experience empathy we should remember God’s promises and know our gifts. That helping hand, Loving hug,Comforting voice, The words you needed to here, or maybe just being present in these times. We have a God who will deliver them. When life is given a time frame always say BUT GOD. God is in control. Let us be a symbol of His hope in the brokeness. Do not let pain define your life because, God has something good for you. In the pain take comfort in God. Find a community or friendship that can uplift you and hold your hand during the hard times. Remember Philemon 1:12 “ I am sending him back to you I am sending my very own heart” . That is your heart is pure and God sees that. I believe God will show himself to you in these times just press on. Remember the truth of your identity. You are loved,chosen,set apart, and redeemed. The enemy hates those facts and will try to steal your joy. Psalms 25:14 says” The friendship of Jehovah is with them that fear him; and He will show them his covenant.” God will always keep his promises. You are blessed and will be blessed. Speak these truths in your life daily Written by : Emmanuelle  |
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