Logic

We're logical beings. It's the way God created us. He gave you a brain, and you are expected to use it. We can't function without our brains... every part of our bodies takes orders from it. However, I often wonder if we become obsessed with logic. If we can't wrap our minds around an idea, then it simply cannot be true... If we don't see it with our own eyes, then we can't really believe that it happened...

I think God knew that we needed to be saved from our own understanding, because my life would be so incredibly boring if I depended only on the things that my human brain could comprehend. In our society, much emphasis is put on what we know. We go to school so we can get an education... so we can be taught... so we can obtain knowledge. The more knowledge we have, the better job we can get. With the better job comes more money... more money brings more power, and the list goes on. We are so obsessed with logic and knowledge and understanding. Don't get me wrong, knowledge and education are important things to have, but I don't believe God intended for us to have all the answers.

When I look back on the times that I've seen God at work in my life or in the lives of the people around me, I notice that it's never logic that brings heaven to earth, rather it's faith...

When I went to Cambodia, my team and I went out to the Red Light District and bought women out of the industry for the night. When I told people that's what we were going to be doing over there, a few people said, "won't you just be adding fuel to the fire?" Meaning, I'm feeding the industry by paying for the women. Logically, that sounds correct. So I asked God what he thought about it, and he told me, "Kirby, if you don't buy them, someone else will. Either they see me tonight, or they see satan."

Most people don't think its very wise for a little American girl like me to spend my life in the Red Light Districts around the globe... or in the strip clubs, or with the prostitutes... logically, they're probably right.

But if we had stuck with logic instead of acting in faith, we wouldn't have seen nearly one hundred girls experience the love of Jesus that night. We wouldn't have seen our sweet friend be delivered from the sex industry or fund her dream of going to school.

I think it's natural for our human brains to go directly to what "could" happen. We like to think we should weigh all of our options before we make a move... we try to think things out, so we can attack the problem in the most logical and efficient way.

I can't help but believe that this is the wrong way to do it.

We might never fully understand why God calls us to do certain things, or take certain jobs or move to certain cites or even countries... we might never fully comprehend what God has up his sleeve. He doesn't ask us to understand. He asks us to walk by faith, and not by sight. He asks us to listen to him and obey him. In my bible study about James, I read this section written by Beth Moore. She is saying this is what James might have been thinking when he finds out that Peter has been set free from his imprisonment after Jesus assends into heaven...

"Jesus said not to fear those who can only kill the body. Think past the pain. We may be captured, but we may be rescued. We may see horrors, but we may see wonders. We may lose our heads, but we cannot lose our souls. The stakes are up. The fire is lit. It's time to live like those who cannot die."

We may see horrors, but we may see wonders... this is the life of a Christ follower. I dare you to lay down your logic. I promise that your life will explode into magnificent color and excitement if you choose the path of faith rather than logic. It will be a challenge, and it will be process... but when we walk by faith, we obey. And when we obey, God wins.

Kid President

I was catching up with a friend today, and he asked me about my blog. He said he had noticed that I hadn't written in a while, and he was curious as to why that was. He asked me why I started blogging to begin with and my wheels started turning. These questions challenged me. Why did I start writing? I told him that I was in a dark place about 6 years ago, and when the truth set me free I was determined to share my story with as many people as I could in hopes that someone else would find hope through it. This blog started out as an attempt to publish my thoughts and dreams, but even more than that it was an attempt to reach somebody with the truth.

I started writing my story because I believe that we all have a story, and I believe that our stories matter. The truth is if your heart is beating, you're alive. But are you really alive? Are you creating anything to make this world more awesome? Do you believe that you have been chosen for this very time, and that Jesus has created a master plan, a crash course, for your heart to collide with his and for you to fall madly in love with him. He's been pursuing you all this time. My story is your story. We are just alike. Although it might look slightly different - different characters, different lessons - we have the same resolution. When I allowed God to take my story and line it up with his master plan, I discovered my purpose. It was as if my whole life was set ablaze, and I couldn't ignore it. I began to believe that I had a specific calling on my life...

My favorite part of the "pep talk" is when he says, "and if life really is a game, aren't we on the same team? I'm on your team, be on my team. C'mon, people. This is life. You got air breathing through your nose." You have air breathing through your nose. You may be facing huge mountains of adversity, but you're alive. You have everything you need for life and godliness to push the enemy forces back. You have power, you have joy, you have strength,  you have guts, you have purpose, you have reason.

I believe that every one of us faces challenges and trials of many kinds... We are up against an enemy who has plans to devour us. He's smart, people. He knows our weaknesses, and he's not afraid to go after us. He's the reason we live with sickness, abuse, poverty, rage, lust, disease, bitterness... but those things don't have the final word. That is not where the story ends.

I don't have any idea which mountain you're facing right now, but I do know that if you'll let Jesus take your story and line it up with his plans, you will be made a new creation. You will discover that you have been called and chosen for a specific purpose. Our stories are just alike - we are all called to bring Jesus to people, however, the way that we do that will look very different.

 I'm a college girl with big dreams of impacting the world. I have a soft heart, but a strong will. I'm not afraid to go into the unknown, because I was born to do it. I know these things because I found them in Jesus.

You are here. You are alive. You were created for a very important reason. You have your own finger prints, your own face. Your life looks different from mine and everyone else's. You might be a doctor, a psychiatrist, a nurse, a judge, an engineer, a teacher, a lawyer. You might be an artist, a busdriver, a CEO, a mom. You might be a back-packer, a saleswoman, a missionary. You were created with a purpose. Your purpose is to bring Jesus to the people you see on a daily basis. Take a risk. Step out in faith. Do something weird. Dream so big that it scares you. You were not created to live a mediocre life... so what will be your spacejam? What will you do to make this world a little more awesome?